Phantom of the Opera is one of Andrew Webber’s most famous musicals. It has had an extremely successful existence and is loved by audiences from around the world. It also has the distinction of being the longest running musical on the history of the Broadway stage. It is based on the novel by French writer Gaston Leroux and audiences are continually captivated by the tragic romantic quality as well as the beautiful music that are used to tell the story. Tourists will often stand in long lines to get New York Broadway tickets for major shows such as Phantom.

Webber’s musical is not the only adaptation to spring from the book, which itself was an interpretation, or extension of a serialization that had been published earlier. In 1925 it was made into a silent film and stared the major film actor Lon Chaney, Sr. Another film was made in 2004 that was based on Webber’s musical, and for which he served as producer. This film was directed by Joel Schumacher. Webber’s musical was first produced in London’s West End in 1986 and become the second longest running musical in the West End’s history. That first production was directed by Hal Prince. In 2008 the production surpassed its incredible 9,000 performance.

In January of 1998, Phantom opened at the Majestic Theatre on Broadway. Interestingly, it broke the record for longest running Broadway musical that was previously set by another of Webber’s productions, Cats. During its debut year it received by the Oliver and the Tony for Best Musical and the New York production has grossed over seven hundred fifteen million dollars. It ranks as the highest grossing entertainment venture on record. Amazingly, audiences never tire of seeing or listening to it and it is one of those blessed stories that the love and appreciation for it is not based on surprise in plot or ruined once it has been seen. This is true for many of Webber’s works, particularly Jesus Christ Superstar, for which most audiences should have known the full story in advance.

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