Broadway's Phantom Breaks Box-Office Record as 23rd Anniversary Nears

By Andrew Gans
03 Jan 2011

Hugh Panaro and Sara Jean Ford
Hugh Panaro and Sara Jean Ford
Photo by Joan Marcus

More than two decades since its opening, the Broadway production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera is still breaking records.

The production, directed by Harold Prince, set a new house record at the Majestic Theatre for the week ending Jan. 2, 2011, grossing $1,390,530.53 for eight performances. The previous record of $1,374,874.96 was for the week ending Jan. 3, 2010.

The longest-running show in Broadway history will celebrate its 23rd anniversary Jan. 26. The musical is the winner of seven Tony Awards including Best Musical.

Based on the classic novel by Gaston Leroux, The Phantom of the Opera, according to press notes, "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."

The cast currently features Hugh Panaro in the title role with Sara Jean Ford as Christine and Sean MacLaughlin as Raoul with George Lee Andrews (Monsieur Andre), David Cryer (Monsieur Firmin), Liz McCartney (Carlotta), Cristin J. Hubbard (Madame Giry), Evan Harrington (Piangi) and Heather McFadden (Meg Giry). At certain performances, Marni Raab plays Christine.

The musical features a score by Andrew Lloyd Webber with lyrics by Charles Hart and a book by Richard Stilgoe and Lloyd Webber.

For more information visit www.thephantomoftheopera.com.