On Sunday, the musical “The Phantom of the Opera” concluded its extraordinary 35-year run on Broadway. Emotional cast members took their final bows alongside the original stars amidst speculations that the show may eventually return.
Andrew Lloyd Webber, the composer, dedicated the last Broadway performance to his late son, Nicholas, who passed away from gastric cancer a month ago.
“None of us thought ‘The Phantom’ would end as spectacularly as it did in the past few months. It may come back one day, you never know,” Lloyd Webber addressed the full house from the stage after the show.
“It couldn’t have concluded with a better performance.”
The production, which had its closing date set last year due to a sharp decline in ticket sales, is based on a novel by Gaston Leroux. Initially directed by Harold Prince, the musical has featured Broadway legends like Michael Crawford, Sarah Brightman, and Judy Kaye in lead roles.
Set in the 19th century, the story follows aspiring opera singer Christine Daae as the enigmatic Phantom mentors her to refine her singing talents. However, complications arise when the Phantom selects Christine as his muse, and she falls for arts patron Raoul.
With nearly 14,000 performances since its 1988 Broadway debut, the show has garnered over 70 major awards. On Sunday, Brightman, who joined the cast on stage, called the production “an extraordinary piece.”
“Created with immense love, passion, and understanding of the human soul, it’s why people feel so connected to it,” she told Reuters on the red carpet.
“I believe people will miss it so much that it will reopen at some point. That’s my instinct about it.”
In a fitting tribute to its phenomenal legacy, “The Phantom of the Opera” has left an indelible mark on Broadway and the hearts of theatregoers worldwide. As fans and cast members bid farewell to this iconic production, there’s a sense of hope that its hauntingly beautiful melodies and captivating story may again grace the stage. Until that day, the Phantom’s spirit will continue to resonate within the theatre community, proving that the show’s magic is timeless.
