Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, the longest-running show in Broadway history, has postponed its closing date and will now play through April 16, 2023. Upon closing, the musical will have played 13,981 performances.
In September it was announced that the famed chandelier would descend for the last time at the Majestic Theatre February 18, 2023. This postponed closing date follows a noted uptick in ticket sales since the original closing date was announced. (It should be noted that this is the only possible extension for the Broadway production, as the Majestic will subsequently close for renovations.)
Tickets for the extension will go on sale November 30, except for performances April 14, which will be a major charitable event, and the final show on April 16. Plans for the charity performance will be announced at a later date; proceeds will benefit several Broadway charities.
Prior to closing, the production,
which resumed Broadway performances October 22, 2021, following the pandemic,
will celebrate its 35th anniversary January 26.
Producer Cameron Mackintosh says, “The response to the news that The Phantom of the Opera is
finally going to end its record-breaking original Broadway run after 35
years has been as phenomenal as the show itself. We are all thrilled
that not only the show’s wonderful fans have been snapping up the
remaining tickets, but also that a new, younger audience is equally
eager to see this legendary production before it disappears. Such is
the demand for tickets that we are delighted to announce that The
Shubert Organization has been able to arrange a final eight-week
extension of the run at The Majestic Theatre."
Composer Lloyd Webber adds, “I am delighted that, after such an incredible reaction from audiences, Phantom at The Majestic is extending. If only the theatre wasn’t closing for a major refurbishment, we’d be there for an awful lot longer. I would love to thank everyone who has made this extension possible, from our cast and crew, to our brilliant musicians and everyone at The Majestic Theatre.”
The Broadway cast is currently led by Ben Crawford as The Phantom, Emilie Kouatchou as Christine, Jason Forbach as Raoul (Paul Adam Schaefer returns December 7, and John Riddle returns January 2), Nehal Joshi as Monsieur André, Craig Bennett as Monsieur Firmin, Raquel Suarez Groen as Carlotta Giudicelli, Maree Johnson as Madame Giry, Carlton Moe as Ubaldo Piangi, and a rotating cast as Meg Giry (Sara Etsy returns from a leave of absence January 2). At certain performances, Julia Udine plays the role of Christine.
The Phantom of the Opera has music by Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Charles Hart (with additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe), and a book by Stilgoe and Lloyd Webber. The production also features musical staging and choreography by Gillian Lynne, scenic and costume design by Maria Björnson, lighting design by Andrew Bridge, and sound design by Martin Levan with Caddick as music director. Cameron Mackintosh and Lloyd Webber's The Really Useful Group serve as producers. The late Harold Prince directed.
The complete Phantom orchestra—Broadway’s largest—also returned following the pandemic under the continued musical supervision of David Caddick with the musical’s original orchestrations.
The Broadway staging of the London-originated show won seven 1988 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Previews on Broadway began January 9, 1988, with an official opening January 26. The original Broadway cast featured Michael Crawford, Sarah Brightman, Judy Kaye, and the late Steve Barton.
The Phantom of the Opera became the longest-running show in Broadway history January 9, 2006, when it surpassed the nearly 18-year run of Cats. The production’s nearly 14,000 performances have been seen by 19.5 million people and grossed $1.3 billion. Phantom has been the largest single generator of income and jobs in Broadway and U.S. theatrical history. In the New York production alone, an estimated 6,500 people (including 450 actors) have been employed during its more than three-decade run.
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