On that date the Tony-winning musical will celebrate 16 years on Broadway. Phantom is one of only three Broadway productions to have reached that milestone: It joins an exclusive group that includes Cats and Les Misérables (all three of the longest-runners in New York were produced by Cameron Mackintosh). And, Phantom will soon become the second longest-running show in Broadway history when it surpasses Les Misérables on Feb. 4. Les Miz closed after 6,680 performances.
Billed as the most successful stage musical of all time, The Phantom of the Opera has worldwide ticket sales exceeding $3.2 billion. The Broadway staging of the London-originated show won seven 1988 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. It has been seen by over 10 million people. Worldwide, Phantom has been seen by over 100 million people.
The Phantom of the Opera currently stars Hugh Panaro in the title role created on stage in London and New York by Michael Crawford. Sandra Joseph plays Christine, and John Cudia as Raoul. The musical also features Jeff Keller (Firmin), George Lee Andrews (André), Patricia Phillips (Carlotta), Marilyn Caskey (Madame Giry), Larry Wayne Morbitt (Ubaldo) and Heather McFadden (Meg Giry).
The Phantom of the Opera had its world premiere on October 9, 1986, at Her Majesty's Theatre in London. Based on the novel "Le Fantôme de l'Opéra" by Gaston Leroux, Phantom has music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics are by Charles Hart (with additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe). The book is by Richard Stilgoe and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Hal Prince directed in London and Manhattan.
The performance schedule for The Phantom of the Opera is Monday and Wednesday through Saturday evenings at 8 PM, and Tuesday evenings at 7 PM, with matinees Wednesday and Saturday at 2 PM. For tickets, visit Click here. A long-awaited screen version of The Phantom of the Opera is currently filming. The movie will star Minnie Driver as cantankerous diva Carlotta; Broadway favorite Patrick Wilson as Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny; Emmy Rossum as Christine; and 33-year-old Scottish actor Gerard Butler as The Phantom.
