"Phantom of the Opera" Announces Worldwide Opening Dates

By Andrew Gans
29 Nov 2004

The eagerly awaited film of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom of the Opera" will open in several cities and countries throughout the world prior to Christmas Day.

As previously announced, the motion picture will make debuts in London and New York, Dec. 6 and 12, respectively. Audiences in France can view the Joel Schumacher-directed film Dec. 7, while Dec. 8 will see openings in Germany, Malaysia and Singapore. The premiere in Spain is set for Dec. 9, and Italian audiences will first see the movie Dec. 11. Openings in Japan and Australia are pending.

"The Phantom of the Opera" stars Gerard Butler in the title role, Emmy Rossum as Christine and Patrick Wilson as Raoul and includes one new song by Lloyd Webber and lyricist Charles Hart.

Based on the classic Gaston Leroux novel, The Phantom of the Opera features music by Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Charles Hart and additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe. Harold Prince directed both the London and New York premieres. The New York production — originally starring Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman — won seven 1988 Tony Awards including one for Best Musical. The score includes such tunes as "Think of Me," "The Music of the Night," "All I Ask of You," "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again," "The Point of No Return" and the title tune.

The Broadway staging of the smash continues at Broadway's Majestic Theatre, having recently played its 7,000th performance.