Phantom of the Opera Turns a Record Eighteen on Jan. 26

By: Jan. 25, 2006
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On January 26th, The Phantom of the Opera will become the first show in Broadway history to reach its 18th anniversary. The record comes at the heels of another milestone--the show's surpassing Cats to become the longest-running Broadway musical of all time on January 9th.

Cast members (as well as the crew and and the staff of the Majestic Theatre) will celebrate on January 26th by sharing in onstage cake and champagne after the show. The same cast that performed at the previous record-breaking performance will be present, but David Cryer is a new addition to the cast as Monsieur Firmin.

 Based on the classic novel Le Fantôme de L'Opéra by Gaston Leroux, The Phantom of the Opera "tells the story of a masked figure who lurks beneath the catacombs of the Paris Opera House, exercising a reign of terror over all who inhabit it. He falls madly in love with an innocent young soprano, Christine, and devotes himself to creating a new star by nurturing her extraordinary talents and by employing all of the devious methods at his command," according to press notes.

The show currently stars Howard McGillin as The Phantom, Sandra Joseph as Christine, and Tim Martin Gleason as Raoul, as well as George Lee Andrews, Anne Runolfsson, Marilyn Caskey, Larry Wayne Morbitt and Heather McFadden.

The Phantom of the Opera features music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and is directed by Harold Prince. Lyrics are by Charles Hart (with additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe) and the book is by Stilgoe and Lloyd Webber. The musical has production design by the late Maria Björnson, lighting by Andrew Bridge and sound by Martin Levan, with musical staging and choreography by Gillian Lynne. Orchestrations are by David Cullen and Lloyd Webber.

The Phantom of the Opera had its world premiere on October 9, 1986 at Her Majesty's Theatre in London, winning every major British theatre award including the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards. The New York production, starring London stars Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman, opened on January 26, 1988. The musical won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

Visit www.thephantomoftheopera.com for more information.


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