The Broadway production + Original US Replica tour

I'm kinda hoping Ben Lewis does come to the Broadway production after his run in London. I'd love to see his portrayal of the Phantom, and I'm not sure I'll be able to travel to London to see him while he's there.

Cool!

So did anyone actually get a chance to see any of the stuff around the Bway 30th anniversary - the special gala thing, the sound and light show that sounded so cool, or even the performance on the night of the actual anniversary? How was it? I wish to heck I could have gotten down there!!! That'd have rocked!!!

Well I saw the video footage online of the special Empire State Building light show that was synced up to music from the show. It was really cool!

Broadway's The Phantom of the Opera Sets October Reopening

"A spokesperson for the Broadway production says it remains committed to returning with a full pit."

Good news for Broadway fans.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's History-Making The Phantom of the Opera Sets Closing Date on Broadway

And there you have it. The last Hal Prince-staged production of Phantom in the world is set to end it's 35-year run on February 18, 2023.

While I'm sure a revival will pop up someday, I am nearly 100% certain it will be something akin to the new London production with minimized orchestra and modified staging, sets and costumes - a shadow of the magic that Hal Prince, Gillian Lynne, and Maria Björnson brought to it.

R.

I'm really saddened by the closing--and it's clear that most of the cast (both current and past) have thoughts about it closing from what I've seen on social media posts.

I've talked about it with other theatre friends and consistently have come across the statement that Phantom wasn't there for New Yorkers, it was there for the tourists (and lunatics like us that went to see it as often as we could, haha!) and there just aren't any tourists in NYC right now. There's a rumor going around (with fairly good evidence imo) that they're planning to just revamp it a la London to get out of paying royalties to 3 estates. If they do so, I second what Raphael said, it will be a sad shadow of the show. If I recall correctly, up until his death, Hal Prince regularly sat with the show and auditions to keep it up to snuff didn't he?

Well, here's hoping there is some sort of get-together with other folks from here that we can organize to see the show one more time.

Aw, I'm saddened by the news. I've always known the time would come eventually but part of me hoped it would outlive me hehe. But it's great to make way for new musicals and artists. I'm grateful I got to see it twice.

Since I'm earning my own living now maybe I could plan a trip to NYC to see it one more time. It's a long shot though as I live in the south now. The only chance I'd have is to make a stop in new york when I travel to montreal to see my family over the holidays.

I got to see one last performance before it closed (early March).
It's surreal to think of it not being there. It almost felt like the loss of a friend. But of course, that's because Phantom brought so many of us together and friends, and that doesn't change regardless of what productions are going.

So I suppose the real question is… is anyone going to be there for load out tomorrow? There are quite a few dumpsters to be dove into…

Christine's Shadow wrote:So I suppose the real question is… is anyone going to be there for load out tomorrow? There are quite a few dumpsters to be dove into…

I can't be there, but I'd hire a representative if anyone is interested!

Closing week was incredible. I'm hoping to write up some reviews if I can if only to put my memories down on paper.