Theater News

The Phantom of the Opera Celebrates 29 Years on Broadway

Andre Lloyd Webber’s musical continues its reign as Broadway’s longest-running musical.

The cast of The Phantom of The Opera celebrates 29 years on Broadway at the Majestic Theatre.
The cast of The Phantom of the Opera celebrates 29 years on Broadway at the Majestic Theatre.
(© Jeremy Daniel)

The Phantom of the Opera celebrates 29 years on Broadway today. The show celebrated with two performances of the record-breaking musical at the Majestic Theatre, further cementing its status as the longest-running show in Broadway history. Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical premiered on January 26, 1988, and has run for more than 12,000 performances in an unprecedented feat of longevity.

Based on the classic novel Le Fantôme de L’Opéra by Gaston Leroux, The Phantom of the Opera 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.

At the 1988 Tony Awards, The Phantom of the Opera was nominated for 10 and won six Tonys including Best Musical and Best Direction of a Musical for Harold Prince. This spring, with the return of Sunset Boulevard, Andrew Lloyd Webber will have the rare distinction of having four musicals running simultaneously on Broadway: The Phantom of the Opera, School of Rock, Cats, and Sunset Boulevard.

The current cast includes James Barbour in the title role, alongside costars Ali Ewoldt (Christine Daaé) and Kyle Barisich (Raoul). They are joined by Laird Mackintosh (Monsieur André), Craig Bennett (Monsieur Firmin), Linda Balgord (Madame Giry), Craig Bennett (Monsieur Firmin), Michele McConnell (Carlotta), John Easterlin (Piangi), and Kara Klein (Meg Giry). At certain performances, Kaley Ann Voorhees plays the role of Christine.

For tickets and more information, click here.

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