After 35 history-making years, Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, the longest-running show in Broadway history, offers its final "Masquerade" April 16.
The famed chandelier descends for the last time as the Tony-winning musical plays its 13,981th performance at the Majestic Theatre. The international hit musical, which resumed performances October 22, 2021, following the pandemic, previously celebrated its 35th anniversary January 26.
Prior to closing night, the Broadway production offered a charity performance April 14. Produced as a thank you to the Broadway community for its 35-year embrace of the musical, proceeds benefited four New York City Arts organizations that seek to build, support, and foster future diverse audiences and artists: Broadway Bridges, an initiative of The Broadway League; The American Theatre Wing’s Andrew Lloyd Webber Initiative; The Prince Fellowship, in association with Columbia University School; and The Stephen Sondheim Foundation.
The benefit evening culminated in a surprise curtain call with leading lady Emilie Kouatchou, joined by three former Broadway Christines: Sierra Boggess (25th anniversary), Ali Ewoldt (30th anniversary), and the original “Angel of Music,” Sarah Brightman. The women announced that the evening had raised $645,000 for the four NYC arts organizations and that several unique Phantom items are currently being auctioned to benefit those organizations. Items include dozens of costume pieces used in the Broadway production, and a print of Maria’s Björnson’s original sketch of Brightman’s original “Rooftop” costume, autographed by Brightman. Click here for more information.
Get an Up-Close Look at Maria Björnson's Intricate Costumes from Phantom of the Opera
In September 2022 it was announced that Phantom would play its final performance at the Majestic February 18. It was subsequently revealed that the musical would play an additional two months. This postponed closing date followed an uptick in ticket sales since the news was announced; in fact, the London import has topped the box-office grosses for several weeks. Its penultimate week took in a staggering in $3,648,872.13. (It should be noted that the extension was the longest possible for the Broadway production, as the Majestic will subsequently close for renovations.)
The initial closing date was due to the fact that the long-running musical had been unable to meet its weekly running costs since it returned following the pandemic. However, Phantom was the top box-office draw for years. In terms of grosses and media coverage, it was the Hamilton of its day. To put its staying power in perspective, Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Into the Woods opened during the same season as Phantom. That fairytale-themed musical played its second Broadway revival earlier this season and shut its doors before Phantom ended its first run.
Due to a bacterial infection, Ben Crawford, who has been on vocal rest per doctor’s orders, is unable to perform the title role in the final performance. Former company member Laird Mackintosh is stepping in for Crawford as the masked Phantom. Mackintosh has a long history with the show, stretching back to the 1993 Toronto production, subsequently spending six years with the Broadway cast. He has performed the title role over 200 times.
The final Broadway company also features Emilie Kouatchou as Christine, John Riddle as Raoul, Nehal Joshi as Monsieur André, Craig Bennett as Monsieur Firmin, Raquel Suarez Groen as Carlotta Giudicelli, Maree Johnson as Madame Giry, Carlton Moe as Ubaldo Piangi, and Sara Esty as Meg Giry. Julia Udine is the Christine alternate.
READ: Why the Mask in Phantom of the Opera’s Logo Looks Different From the Stage Version
In an earlier statement producer Cameron Mackintosh said, “As a British producer who has been lucky enough to have been producing in New York for over 40 consecutive years, it has been an unparalleled honor to have presented the longest-running musical in Broadway’s history, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera. That this legendary show has thrilled New York for nearly 35 phenomenal years is quite astounding to me. As a producer, you dream that a show will run forever. Indeed, my production of Andrew’s Cats proudly declared for decades ‘Now and Forever.’ Yet Phantom has surpassed that show’s extraordinary Broadway run. But all shows do finally close, and after considerable discussion between The Shuberts, The Really Useful Group, Andrew and myself, we concluded that the right time for Phantom was after the show’s 35th birthday."
Mackintosh added, "This production has proved to be the greatest triumph for Broadway’s legendary director and producer, Hal Prince, as well as Britain’s celebrated choreographer Dame Gillian Lynne and the inspired Norwegian designer, Maria Björnson, who are all sadly no longer with us. It is impossible to thank enough the thousands of talented American artists and musicians who have performed so brilliantly in this production. The staff at the Shubert’s Majestic Theatre have been extraordinary as have all our creative teams, who have lovingly nurtured the show so magnificently over the years. Gaston Leroux’s opera ghost may be disappearing for now, but there is no doubt that Andrew Lloyd Webber’s masterpiece will continue to enchant audiences in London and around the world—and one day will return to Broadway. Our gratitude to American audiences falling in love with The Phantom is infinite.”
The final ensemble features Giselle O. Alvarez, Polly Baird, Janinah Burnett, Xiaoxiao Cao, Kanisha Marie Feliciano, David Michael Garry, Chris Georgetti, Kelly Jeanne Grant, Satomi Hofmann, Ayaka Kamei, Ted Keegan, Kfir, Kelly Loughran, Scott Mikita, Greg Mills, Trista Moldovan, Justin Peck, Richard Poole, Lindsay Roberts, Janet Saia, Paul Adam Schaefer, Carly Blake Sebouhian, Jeremy Stolle, Carrington Vilmont, Jim Weitzer, Elizabeth Welch, and Erica Wong.
READ: All the Times Phantom of the Opera Made History on Broadway
The Phantom of the Opera has music by Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Charles Hart (with additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe), and a book by Stilgoe and Lloyd Webber. The production also features musical staging and choreography by Gillian Lynne, scenic and costume design by Maria Björnson, lighting design by Andrew Bridge, and sound design by Martin Levan with Caddick as music director. Cameron Mackintosh and Lloyd Webber's The Really Useful Group serve as producers. The late Harold Prince directed.
The complete Phantom orchestra—Broadway’s largest—also returned following the pandemic under the continued musical supervision of David Caddick with the musical’s original orchestrations.
READ: Every Actor Who's Played the Angel of Music and Christine in Phantom of the Opera on Broadway
The Broadway staging of the London-originated show won seven 1988 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Previews on Broadway began January 9, 1988, with an official opening January 26. The original Broadway cast featured Michael Crawford, Sarah Brightman, Judy Kaye, and the late Steve Barton.
The Phantom of the Opera became the longest-running show in Broadway history January 9, 2006, when it surpassed the nearly 18-year run of Cats. The production’s nearly 14,000 performances have been seen by 19.5 million people and grossed $1.3 billion. Phantom has been the largest single generator of income and jobs in Broadway and U.S. theatrical history. In the New York production alone, an estimated 6,500 people (including 450 actors) were employed during its more than three-decade run.
READ: Farewell to an Icon: The Phantom of the Opera’s Monkey Music Box
After tonight's performance, those wishing Phantom were somehow here again, fear not. Producer Mackintosh recently told Variety that "of course it will return. All the great musicals do." But for the time being, it's over now "The Music of the Night."
Ben Crawford and Kelsey Connolly
Ben Crawford and Emilie Kouatchou
Nehal Joshi and Erin Davie
Emilie Kouatchou, Ben Crawford, Paul Adam Schaefer, and Julia Udine
Emilie Kouatchou, Ben Crawford, Paul Adam Schaefer, and Julia Udine with custom cake created by Chef Jürgen David, the Director of Pastry Research and Development, and his students at the Institute of Culinary Education
Maree Johnson, Craig Bennett, Nehal Joshi, Emilie Kouatchou, Ben Crawford, Paul Adam Schaefer, Sara Esty, Julia Udine, Raquel Suarez Groen, and Carlton Moe with custom cake created by Chef Jürgen David, the Director of Pastry Research and Development, and his students at the Institute of Culinary Education
Ben Crawford, Scott Mikita, Polly Baird, Janet Saia, Jason Forbach, Carly Blake Sebouhian, Tug Watson, Kelly Jeanne Grant, Jim Weitzer, Weston Krukow, Carrington Vilmont, Lindsay Roberts, Marni Raab, and Bronson Norris Murphy
Paul Adam Schaefer, Ben Crawford, and Emilie Kouatchou
Ben Crawford
Paul Adam Schaefer and Emilie Kouatchou
