The longest-running show in Broadway history, Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, directed by Harold Prince and produced by Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Company, Inc., once again makes theater history when it becomes the first Broadway show ever to celebrate its 25th Anniversary tonight, January 26, 2013.
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA became the longest-running show in Broadway history on January 9, 2006 with its 7,486th performance (surpassing the previous record-holder Cats, also by Andrew Lloyd Webber and also produced by Mackintosh). Incredibly, since breaking that record, PHANTOM has played both an additional 6½ years and 2,800 performances - which by itself would be a smash hit run for a Broadway musical.
Below, photographer Walter McBride looks back at some other special moments in Phantom's momentous run!
Photos by Walter McBride

Times Square Billboard January 30, 200

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007

Phantom of the Opera Billboard in Times Square, New York City. August 27, 2004

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007
pictured: Marilyn Caskey

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007 pictured: Michael Shawn Lewis

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007
pictured: Michael Shawn Lewis

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007 pictured: George Lee Andrews & David Cryer

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007 pictured: Jennifer Hope Wills

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007 pictured: Jennifer Hope Wills

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007 pictured: Howard McGillin

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007 pictured: Howard McGillin

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007 pictured: Howard McGillin

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007 pictured: Howard McGillin

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007 pictured: Howard McGillin

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007 pictured: Howard McGillin

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call. April 4, 2007 pictured: Howard McGillin & Jennifer Hope Wills

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007 pictured: Anne Runolfsson & Michael Shawn Lewis & Howard McGillin & Jennifer Hope Wills with Ensemble

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007 pictured: Anne Runolfsson & Michael Shawn Lewis & Howard McGillin & Jennifer Hope Wills with Ensemble

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007 pictured: Howard McGillin & Jennifer Hope Wills & Michael Shawn Lewis

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007 pictured: Howard McGillin & Jennifer Hope Wills & Michael Shawn Lewis

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007 pictured: Howard McGillin & Jennifer Hope Wills & Michael Shawn Lewis

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007 pictured: Michael Shawn Lewis & Howard McGillin & Jennifer Hope Wills with Ensemble

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007 pictured: Anne Runolfsson & Michael Shawn Lewis & Howard McGillin & Jennifer Hope Wills with Ensemble 
The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007 pictured: Anne Runolfsson & Michael Shawn Lewis & Howard McGillin & Jennifer Hope Wills with Ensemble

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007 pictured: Anne Runolfsson & Michael Shawn Lewis & Howard McGillin & Jennifer Hope Wills with Ensemble

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007 pictured: Anne Runolfsson & Michael Shawn Lewis & Howard McGillin & Jennifer Hope Wills with Ensemble

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007 pictured: Howard McGillin & Jennifer Hope Wills & Michael Shawn Lewis

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007 pictured: Howard McGillin

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007 pictured: Howard McGillin

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007 pictured: Anne Runolfsson & Michael Shawn Lewis & Howard McGillin & Jennifer Hope Wills with Ensemble

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007 pictured: Anne Runolfsson & Michael Shawn Lewis & Howard McGillin & Jennifer Hope Wills with Ensemble

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007 pictured: Anne Runolfsson & Michael Shawn Lewis & Howard McGillin & Jennifer Hope Wills with Ensemble

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007 pictured: Anne Runolfsson & Michael Shawn Lewis & Howard McGillin & Jennifer Hope Wills with Ensemble

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007 pictured: Anne Runolfsson & Michael Shawn Lewis & Howard McGillin & Jennifer Hope Wills with Ensemble

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007 pictured: Anne Runolfsson & Michael Shawn Lewis & Howard McGillin & Jennifer Hope Wills with Ensemble

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007 pictured: Anne Runolfsson & Michael Shawn Lewis & Howard McGillin & Jennifer Hope Wills with Ensemble

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007 pictured: Anne Runolfsson & Michael Shawn Lewis & Howard McGillin & Jennifer Hope Wills with Ensemble

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007 pictured: Anne Runolfsson & Michael Shawn Lewis & Howard McGillin & Jennifer Hope Wills with Ensemble

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007 pictured: Howard McGillin & Jennifer Hope Wills & Michael Shawn Lewis

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007 pictured: Anne Runolfsson & Michael Shawn Lewis & Howard McGillin & Jennifer Hope Wills with Ensemble
The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007 pictured: Anne Runolfsson & Michael Shawn Lewis & Howard McGillin & Jennifer Hope Wills with Ensemble

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007 pictured: Anne Runolfsson & Michael Shawn Lewis & Howard McGillin & Jennifer Hope Wills with Ensemble

Phantom of the Opera Billboard in Times Square, New York City. August 27, 2004

The Phantom Of The Opera (The Longest Running Show on Broadway) becomes the first Broadway Show in History to reach 8,000 performances. The Milestone was marked by a special on stage curtain call at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. April 4, 2007 pictured: Theatre Marquee
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