'Phantom' Longest Running Broadway Show - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 01-09-2006, 05:13 PM

'Phantom' Longest Running Broadway Show

(AP) In this photo provided by the Publicity Office, Howard McGillin, as the Phantom, and Sandra Joseph,...
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NEW YORK (AP) - Broadway has a new long-run champion: "The Phantom of the Opera."

Andrew Lloyd Webber's lushly romantic musical about a haunted, disfigured composer pining for a beautiful young soprano in the Paris Opera House, was set to surpass "Cats" Monday as the longest-running show in Broadway history.

With performance number 7,486 Monday night, the show was to top Lloyd Webber's feline extravaganza, which closed in September 2000. "Phantom" has lasted nearly 18 years at the Majestic Theatre, where it opened Jan. 26, 1988 - and the end is nowhere in sight.

Ask Lloyd Webber, whose other megahits include "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Evita," to explain the phenomenal success of "Phantom," and he says with a laugh, "If I really knew, I would do it again.

"I think there isn't another musical that has been written in the last two decades or so, which has a plot that is so escapist, that allows high romance to happen."

Cameron Mackintosh, the show's savvy producer, agrees.
"The musical is a kind of beauty-and-the-beast story. It appeals to everyone because it is about an impossible love, which I think many of us have had," Mackintosh says.

"The whole framework or design of the show is that you are sucked into this mythical world below the opera house and yet shown something where we can feel the same emotions as one can feel in normal life."

Mackintosh is now in the enviable position of having the three longest-running shows in Broadway history: "Cats," which closed after 7,485 performances, in second place, and "Les Miserables," which shut in May 2003 after, 6,680 performances, in third.

All have been enormously profitable, but the money made by "Phantom" has been staggering. Its worldwide box-office gross - the show is still running in London, too - has gone past $3.2 billion. More than 80 million people around the world have seen the musical, which has been presented in two dozen countries.

New York grosses have been nearly $600 million, with the show seen by nearly 11 million theatergoers at the Majestic. New York has had 11 different Phantoms, starting with Michael Crawford, who originated the role in the London production in October 1986.

Both Lloyd Webber and Mackintosh are wary about predicting how long the musical will run.

A new generation has been turned on to "Phantom" through the release of the movie version and then the DVD, according to Mackintosh. Both have given the musical new life at the box office.

And now, is there life after "Phantom" for the two men?

Mackintosh is busy with several other projects, including co-presenting the Broadway hit "Avenue Q" in London where the musical will open in June. And in the fall, Macktinosh and Disney will produce the stage version of "Mary Poppins" in New York at Disney's New Amsterdam Theatre. An opening is set for Nov. 16.

Lloyd Webber plans to put on his producing hat, too. He may have a hand in producing the first recording for young American singer, 14-year-old Andrea Ross.

Then there is an upcoming London revival of "Evita," directed by Michael Grandage, that Lloyd Webber says is "going to be more Latin than the original." Auditions are down to three actresses for the title character, he revealed - with a decision to be made after he returns to London from the "Phantom" festivities.

Besides producing a revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "The Sound of Music," planned for next October at the London Palladium, the composer is reading three projects right now that may find their way to the stage, but he declined to elaborate.

"I don't want to rush into writing something for the sake of it. Having written 14 musicals now, you don't want to make the 15th something you're doing because you feel you have to," Lloyd Webber says.

Karen* · 01-09-2006, 07:16 PM

That's awesome. I haven't seen the stage show yet, but I want to rent the movie version. I heard it was pretty good.

RENT owns though.

Brian Damage · 01-09-2006, 08:49 PM

That is an awsome feet! I live in New York and never saw it nor it's predecessor Cats. Shame on me!

Courtnee · 01-09-2006, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karen Foster

That's awesome. I haven't seen the stage show yet, but I want to rent the movie version. I heard it was pretty good.

RENT owns though.

phantom pwns RENT

Karen* · 01-10-2006, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rock Princess

phantom pwns RENT

ewwwwwww...don't talk to me anymore!

I'm just messing with you!

James"Thunder"Early · 01-10-2006, 01:40 AM

That's amazing that something could go on that long. It'd be one of the shows I'd want to see if I visited New York, along with Hairspray and The Color Purple.

Dean Winchester · 01-10-2006, 04:41 AM

funny how about every six or seven years, a new contender takes the throne. I remember a long time ago when A Chorus Line took the record, and then in the late 90's Cats took the record, then they closed and now Phantom has taken over. What current shows do you think would be the one to take Phantom's spot?

is that one Michael dude still playing the Phantom? I know that he was a sensation for awhile when the play premiered over his performance.

Brian Damage · 01-10-2006, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HUNG UP!

funny how about every six or seven years, a new contender takes the throne. I remember a long time ago when A Chorus Line took the record, and then in the late 90's Cats took the record, then they closed and now Phantom has taken over. What current shows do you think would be the one to take Phantom's spot?

is that one Michael dude still playing the Phantom? I know that he was a sensation for awhile when the play premiered over his performance.

Michael Crawford was the original Phantom and he has since handed the role over to other performers. There are other long lasting musicals like Rent, Beauty and the Beast and the Lion King, but they have a long way to go.

01-09-2006, 05:13 PM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	'Phantom' Longest Running Broadway Show 'Phantom' Longest Running Broadway Show (AP) In this photo provided by the Publicity Office, Howard McGillin, as the Phantom, and Sandra Joseph,... Full Image NEW YORK (AP) - Broadway has a new long-run champion: "The Phantom of the Opera." Andrew Lloyd Webber's lushly romantic musical about a haunted, disfigured composer pining for a beautiful young soprano in the Paris Opera House, was set to surpass "Cats" Monday as the longest-running show in Broadway history. With performance number 7,486 Monday night, the show was to top Lloyd Webber's feline extravaganza, which closed in September 2000. "Phantom" has lasted nearly 18 years at the Majestic Theatre, where it opened Jan. 26, 1988 - and the end is nowhere in sight. Ask Lloyd Webber, whose other megahits include "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Evita," to explain the phenomenal success of "Phantom," and he says with a laugh, "If I really knew, I would do it again. "I think there isn't another musical that has been written in the last two decades or so, which has a plot that is so escapist, that allows high romance to happen." Cameron Mackintosh, the show's savvy producer, agrees. "The musical is a kind of beauty-and-the-beast story. It appeals to everyone because it is about an impossible love, which I think many of us have had," Mackintosh says. "The whole framework or design of the show is that you are sucked into this mythical world below the opera house and yet shown something where we can feel the same emotions as one can feel in normal life." Mackintosh is now in the enviable position of having the three longest-running shows in Broadway history: "Cats," which closed after 7,485 performances, in second place, and "Les Miserables," which shut in May 2003 after, 6,680 performances, in third. All have been enormously profitable, but the money made by "Phantom" has been staggering. Its worldwide box-office gross - the show is still running in London, too - has gone past $3.2 billion. More than 80 million people around the world have seen the musical, which has been presented in two dozen countries. New York grosses have been nearly $600 million, with the show seen by nearly 11 million theatergoers at the Majestic. New York has had 11 different Phantoms, starting with Michael Crawford, who originated the role in the London production in October 1986. Both Lloyd Webber and Mackintosh are wary about predicting how long the musical will run. A new generation has been turned on to "Phantom" through the release of the movie version and then the DVD, according to Mackintosh. Both have given the musical new life at the box office. And now, is there life after "Phantom" for the two men? Mackintosh is busy with several other projects, including co-presenting the Broadway hit "Avenue Q" in London where the musical will open in June. And in the fall, Macktinosh and Disney will produce the stage version of "Mary Poppins" in New York at Disney's New Amsterdam Theatre. An opening is set for Nov. 16. Lloyd Webber plans to put on his producing hat, too. He may have a hand in producing the first recording for young American singer, 14-year-old Andrea Ross. Then there is an upcoming London revival of "Evita," directed by Michael Grandage, that Lloyd Webber says is "going to be more Latin than the original." Auditions are down to three actresses for the title character, he revealed - with a decision to be made after he returns to London from the "Phantom" festivities. Besides producing a revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "The Sound of Music," planned for next October at the London Palladium, the composer is reading three projects right now that may find their way to the stage, but he declined to elaborate. "I don't want to rush into writing something for the sake of it. Having written 14 musicals now, you don't want to make the 15th something you're doing because you feel you have to," Lloyd Webber says.

01-09-2006, 07:16 PM	#2
Karen* paradox. Forum Superstar Join Date: Jan 08, 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 28,365	That's awesome. I haven't seen the stage show yet, but I want to rent the movie version. I heard it was pretty good. RENT owns though.
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01-09-2006, 08:49 PM	#3
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	That is an awsome feet! I live in New York and never saw it nor it's predecessor Cats. Shame on me!
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

01-10-2006, 01:40 AM	#6
James"Thunder"Early Whoever's In New England Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 23, 2004 Location: The Apollo Posts: 7,088	That's amazing that something could go on that long. It'd be one of the shows I'd want to see if I visited New York, along with Hairspray and The Color Purple.
	__________________ Esther Anderson: Get thee behind me, Satan, but I'm gon' get behind you, 'cause I'm gonna put my foot in your--- Peggy Mitchell: Get outta my pub! You better pray you get the last laugh, it's a kick in the teeth when you don't get it.

01-10-2006, 04:41 AM	#7
Dean Winchester Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 28, 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 14,803	funny how about every six or seven years, a new contender takes the throne. I remember a long time ago when A Chorus Line took the record, and then in the late 90's Cats took the record, then they closed and now Phantom has taken over. What current shows do you think would be the one to take Phantom's spot? is that one Michael dude still playing the Phantom? I know that he was a sensation for awhile when the play premiered over his performance.