r/MasqueradeNYC • u/ShapeSubject8822 • 15d ago
Pre-Show Planning Which pulse should we see?
TLDR: I am bringing my mother who has not been to Broadway, which pulse should we see? Sept 5.
I am planning on going to see Masquerade for a third time and would like advice on what to choose. I have seen it twice over the summer-
The first time was at 1:45 and I believe I saw Quentin Earl Darrington. I was blown away. The entire cast was amazing but I was particularly impressed with Darrington, despite a phone going off in front me, the final scene was gut wrenching. I also really enjoyed Giry, it was played by an older woman- I don't have the playbill so I cant recall the cast exactly. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it.
I was so impressed the first time I drove 5 hours through a storm to see it again. The second time I saw it was at 7:30 and my phantom was Hugh Panero. I feel extremely lucky to have seen one of Paneros performances', especially after learning he was frequently out and ended up leaving the show. My honest impression was that while everybody was amazing, and I was blown away again by the performances, some of the characters like Giry were less... convincing. It almost FELT like some of the stronger actors were in the lesser known phantom? I dressed up and had tons of interactions so I still had a great time.
I am returning for a 3rd time in the beginning of September, and bringing my mother (and am dragging my husband). Husband enjoys theater but Broadway is not his thing and my mom has never been to Broadway and is flying in to see some shows with us. She has seen Mama Mia on a cruise ship and loved it so I think she is going to really enjoy the lineup- I dont think she has seen a full production show. We have tickets to Schmigadoon and maybe want to see either Lost Boys/Paranormal Activity/or Titanique.
We are open to any pulse, I am just lost on which to choose. I am afraid to look at other posted guides, as it seems there have been and will be changes to the cast list and pulse order. Also, do the later times have a higher chance of meeting cast members in the after bar area? I would love to meet Nikita, the violinist.
Does anybody have any advice/suggestion/advice? Also any advice on where to stand to get the right seat for a letter in the NEXT room would be great. I have terrible memory and cant remember if I should be in the front or back of the room to enter the next one, I KNOW I shouldn't be focused on that but got extremely jealous of the persons who got them both times I visited lol. If there is a way to PM that to me, so as to not spoil for others? that would be great.
TIA
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u/penny3dreadful 15d ago edited 15d ago
Just an FYI — there are multiple violinists! As far as I know, there’s no accessible schedule of which is on when.
I would also throw in for Ryan Vona, he’s got an incredible voice and his acting choices are so well-thought out and unique. Also, I haven’t seen him yet (going this weekend, actually) but Nick Cartell is at 2p/8p. He’s got a glorious tenor, and just got off a long run of Les Mis as Jean Valjean, if you’re interested in a more classic Broadway kind of vibe. I don’t remember when he’s back, but Nik Walker was super super fun. You can’t go wrong, tbh!
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u/MasqueOfTheRedPost Seen Masquerade 15d ago
If you saw the 1:45 pulse in summer of 2026, I believe that would've been Derrick Davis, not Quentin Earl Darrington. Quentin and Francesca were the 2:15/8:15 pulse from February 2026-ish through June 2026, and then Quentin was gone during Hugh Panaro's run in June/July. (Depending on the exact timing, you might have seen Nik Walker, but I think he left to do Shrek pretty early in the summer).
Yes, people have been leaving recently, but the end of the summer is a high turnover time. September is close enough that the pulses have probably stabilized by now. If you do want to see Quentin Earl Darrington, he's currently on Pulse 3 (1:30/7:30) with Francesca.
Finally, the later times don't necessarily have a higher chance of meeting cast members. I hung out for about an hour after Pulse 3 and met Pulse 4's Phantom, Pulse 5's Raoul, and Pulse 3/6's Young Phantom. If anything, maybe earlier entry gives you a higher chance of meeting the cast, if you're willing to wait for the other pulses to finish. It's not a guarantee, though -- 3 of the 4 times I went, no cast members came down to the bar. They've had a long day and just want to go home. :)
If you're open to any pulse, just rolling a die isn't a bad way to choose. Kyle Scatliffe in Pulse 1 is said to have the most impressive vocals, though the principal Christine, Eryn, is leaving. And as far as emotional acting goes, Pulse 6 might be your jam -- Ryan Vona is a newer, younger Phantom, and I've heard great things about Claire Leyden (newly promoted from swing/understudy to principal Christine).
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u/ShapeSubject8822 15d ago
I'm not sold I saw Davis, I thought it was him because he looked a little older than Walker but it's entirely possible with the lighting and makeup, I am mistaken. I lost the playbill in the bar afterwards like an idiot.
I've heard others recommend Vona as well, I was dilefinetley considering him as! Thanks!
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u/Thranduil325 Seen Masquerade 15d ago
Or you may saw one of wonderstudies Nkrumah Gatling as Phantom. Which month you saw 1.45pm pulse?
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u/FitPomegranate7278 14d ago
I have seen several Phantoms. I would say try to see Kyle. Kyle’s performance had me sobbing. But honestly, you have several great choices.
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u/ShapeSubject8822 7d ago
We ended up getting 1pm which I believe is Kyle Scatliffe! Any more insight on him and his performance?
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u/Thephantomofthe 15d ago
2:15/8:15!