After 35 years and over 13,000 performances, the beloved musical Phantom of the Opera has taken its final bow on Broadway. The show, which premiered in 1988, has broken countless records and captivated audiences around the world. Its closure marks the end of an era and a testament to the enduring power of musical theater. In this article, we will explore the legacy of this iconic production, its impact on the entertainment industry, and what its final curtain call means for the future of Broadway.
The Phantom of the Opera Takes its Final Bow on Broadway after Record-Breaking 35-Year Run
The pandemic has claimed another casualty, and this time it’s Broadway’s longest-running show, The Phantom of the Opera. The Andrew Lloyd Webber production has been a fixture of New York’s theatreland since its opening on Broadway in 1988. Despite braving recessions, 9/11 terrorist attacks, and audience shifts, the beloved show could not withstand the pandemic’s after-effects. The iconic show closed its curtains last April 16, setting its final bow after a record-breaking 35-year run on Broadway.
The Phantom of the Opera tells the story of a disfigured phantom who haunts a Paris opera house and falls in love with a singer there. The show’s last performance was met with a rapturous standing ovation and gold confetti. Members of the current and previous cast stood on stage alongside writer Andrew Lloyd Webber and his production collaborator Cameron Macintosh. They sang a reprise of The Music Of The Night, bringing the audience to tears.
The final show dedicated Lloyd Webber’s son, Nick, who passed away from cancer at the age of 43 last month. “When he was a little boy, he heard some of this music,” Lloyd Webber said in a speech. Sarah Brightman, the show’s original Christine and Lloyd Webber’s former wife, added: “When Andrew was writing it, he was right there. So his son is with us. Nick, we love you very much.”
Macintosh also addressed the rumors that the show would make a return in the future. “Having been a producer for over 55 years, I’ve seen all the great musicals return, and Phantom is one of the greatest. So it’s only a matter of time,” he said.
Besides video presentations from previous actors, the stalls were filled with former Phantoms, Christines, and Raouls, alongside the likes of Glenn Close and Lin-Manuel Miranda. By the time of its closure, the show ran for 13,981 performances.
Lloyd Webber stated that the show cost around £800,000 a week to run, and had a large orchestra and cast, elaborate costumes and sets, which ramped up the cost. Unlike Macintosh, he isn’t sure if the show will ever return to New York, stating that he is “only the composer.” However, he still has one show running on Broadway – his updated production of the hastily closed West End musical Cinderella, now called Bad Cinderella.
Chicago now becomes Broadway’s active longest-running show, followed by Disney’s The Lion King. The Phantom of the Opera still runs in the West End in Her Majesty’s Theatre, which will be renamed in honor of the king over coronation weekend to reflect the new monarch.
In conclusion, The Phantom of the Opera’s closure on Broadway marks the end of an era. It left an indelible mark on the world of theatre, and its legacy will live on in West End, online videos, and the memories of its countless fans worldwide. While it may have been a casualty of the pandemic, its spirit will continue to inspire future productions and musicals for years to come.
It is indeed the end of an era as the Phantom of the Opera takes its final bow on Broadway after a remarkable 35-year run. This Tony Award-winning production has become a cultural icon of New York City, enchating audiences with its striking visuals, memorable music and captivating storyline. The Phantom of the Opera will always be remembered as one of Broadway’s greatest theatrical spectacles, a captivating journey of love, obsession and sacrifice that has touched millions of lives. As the curtains close on this remarkable production, we can only look back on its achievement with wonder and admiration, and celebrate its legacy as a true masterpiece of the New York stage.
