“The Phantom of the Opera” says goodbye to Broadway after 35 years and almost 14,000 performances. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
a symbol of broadway disappears: after 35 years and almost 14,000 performances“The Phantom of the Opera”, the oldest musical in the famous theater district of New York, finally lowered the curtain on Sunday, victim of the reduction of spectators after the pandemic.
Sunday’s sold-out show was the 13,981st performance of the musical. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
Emilie Kouatchou, who plays Christine Daae, and John Riddle, who plays Raoul, on the red carpet before the final performance of the Phantom of the Opera. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
Members of the corps de ballet and cast members greet each other as they stand on the carpet before the performance. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
The most fans were in the front row to enjoy the event. (REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
Meghan Picerno, who previously played Christine Daae, also attended the gala. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
In total, from its premiere in New York in 1988, the story of the ghost who lives hidden in the cellars of the Paris Opera and falls in love with the dancer Christine grossed $1.3 billiondrew some 20 million viewers and employed 6,500 people, including 450 actors, according to production estimates.
Some fans hoped to get last minute tickets in front of the theater. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
The ticket for the last performance of “The Phantom of the Opera”. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
The spectacular dress that Meghan Picerno wore for the event. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
Sarah Brightman, who portrayed Christine Daae during early performances of the play. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
The actor and producer, Lin-Manuel Miranda, during his time on the red carpet. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
The actress Glenn Close was one of the guests at the farewell event for one of the most famous pieces on Broadway. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
Two years after its creation in London, where it is still performed, “The Phantom of the Opera” had become a blockbuster on Broadway with its orchestra and period costumes.
Long lines formed around the theater. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
For decades, fans—or “phans,” as they’re known—have flocked to Broadway for performances of songs like “Masquerade,” “Angel of Music,” “All I Ask of You” and “The Music of the Night”. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
Jordan Dobson and Linedy Genao during their time on the red carpet. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
Based on the 1910 French novel Le Fantôme de l’Opéra by Gaston Leroux, the gothic romance follows a mysterious and brash man who frequents the Paris Opera and falls in love with young soprano Christine Daaé. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
Emilie Kouatchou who played Christine Daae in the last performance of “The Phantom of the Opera”. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
The play won seven Tony Awards in 1988, including Best Musical, and became the longest-running show in Broadway history on January 9, 2006.
Rising production costs, which were at a net $950,000 per week, were also a factor. Between musicians, actors and technicians, about 125 people were needed to run the show. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
The play’s music producer, Andrew Lloyd Webber, waved goodbye from the stage after the performance. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
The hit musical has been seen by more than 20 million viewers and has grossed more than $1.3 billion. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
The protagonists of the play in their farewell after the last show. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
The announcement that “The Phantom of the Opera” was no longer running on Broadway boosted demand for tickets so much that the completion date was pushed back from February to April. And some wonder if a tour will not be announced. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
Laid Mackintosh, who replaced Ben Crawford as the Ghost during the last performance. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
The actress Emilie Kouatchou saying goodbye on stage after her last performance. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
The cast members said their goodbyes after a loud ovation in the theater. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
From now on, the oldest musical represented in New York will be “Chicago”, whose first performance dates back to 1996, ahead of “The Lion King”. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
The audience gave a standing ovation for the last performance of the play. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
The audience applauded enthusiastically as the famous chandelier made its final appearance in the 1,600-seat room. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
The legendary chandelier from The Phantom of the Opera was lit for the last time on Broadway. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
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