Phantom on broadway lighting upgrade?

[Call_me_jorge]

I recall reading that several years ago Phantom did a massive overhaul on the sound systems for the show and upgraded them. Have they ever thought of upgrading the lighting package for the show? Especially since it’s notable for not having a single moving light. At some point down the line it’s going to be cheaper replacing the lights with new ones than finding old hardware.

[Tag]

I hope not.

And I think the cost of a new rig and re-teching would be greater than the cost of replacing "old hardware".  Many such fixtures have modern day upgrades and bulbs are still available.  I'm sure they have done cable updates over the years too.

[dramamama611]

Call_me_jorge said: "I recall reading that several years ago jPhantom did a massive overhaul on the sound systems for the show and upgraded them. Have they ever thought of upgrading the lighting package for the show? Especially since it’s notable for not having a single moving light. At some point down the line it’s going to be cheaper replacing the lights with new ones than finding old hardware. "

Non moving lights.. and even non LEDs are still widely available.  Trust me....and at a fraction of the cost. 

[Justin D]

I think the London version had somewhat of a lighting upgrade (based on some instagram posts) but i am not sure if it was an actual lighting upgrade or just the control system (consoles)

I find with alot of the new productions these new led lights look so artificial giving off what I call the 'bubble gum' effect. the led's seem to lack a warmth which is needed for a period piece like Phantom. at the same time I am also surprised that they haven't looked into them somewhat as i am sure they would save money in the long run being LED.

[theatregoer3]

For what it’s worth, I saw Phantom a couple months ago and the lighting looked FLAWLESS. If I were the producers, I wouldn’t change a thing.

[Phantom4ever]

Phantom's lighting won the Tony Award for best lighting. Changing them would result in a downgrade, not an upgrade. Let's hope they never change (or have to change) the lighting. It is perfect for the show's atmosphere. 

[Justin D]

one of my favourite lighting moments is when the phantom is at the organ just before MOTN, and he goes to move off, the way the candelabra are lit up and the diffused light coming down on him from above, it shows up lovely on his shiny mask

[morosco]

I wonder if the lighting instruments at Phantom are rented from a lighting supply shop like most Broadway shows? I think if an instrument needs to be replaced the lighting supply shop just swaps one instrument for another?

[morosco]

From a January 2013 post at the StageDirections website:

While Andrew Bridge’s lighting design hasn’t changed since the show opened and some of the lighting and special effects technology for the show remains the same original equipment—tenderly cared for and lovingly repaired—a large part of the lighting equipment needed to be upgraded recently as the outdated gear could no longer be supported. Dimmers, cable and the console have all been changed out as part of a two-year upgrade that the Phantom electrics team completed this past October.

A Quarter-Century Tune-up