Broadway's Phantom of the Opera to Reach Historic 9,000th Performance on September 17

Andy Propst

New York City

September 14, 2009

John Cudia in
The Phantom of the Opera
(© Joan Marcus)

The Phantom of the Opera, already the longest-running show in Broadway history, will reach another milestone on September 17. With the 8pm performance at the Majestic Theatre that day, the musical will become the first Broadway show ever to reach 9,000 performances. The occasion will be marked on September 16, with a special presentation during the 2 pm matinee's curtain call with special guests expected to be in attendance.

The Phantom of the Opera opened on Broadway on January 26, 1988. Based on the classic novel Le Fantôme de L'Opéra by Gaston Leroux, the show features music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Charles Hart (with additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe), and book by Richard Stilgoe and Andrew Lloyd Webber. It has production design by the late Maria Björnson, lighting by Andrew Bridge, and sound by Martin Levan. Direction is by Harold Prince and musical staging and choreography is by Gillian Lynne. Orchestrations are by David Cullen and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

The cast currently features John Cudia in the title role with Jennifer Hope Wills as Christine and Ryan Silverman as Raoul. The musical also co-stars George Lee Andrews (Monsieur Andre), David Cryer (Monsieur Firmin), Patricia Phillips (Carlotta), Cristin J. Hubbard (Madame Giry), Evan Harrington (Piangi) and Heather McFadden (Meg Giry). At certain performances, Marni Raab plays Christine.

For further information, visit www.thephantomoftheopera.com.