Phantom of the Opera Breaks Hearts and Broadway Records

Phantom of the opera is the longest runningChristine however has a much different love
Broadway show in the history of New Yorkinterest, the rich and handsome opera house
theater, originally openingon January 26, 1988 thepatron by the nameof Raoul. There becomes the
production is in it's eighteenth year and stillstruggle for the young opera singers love and
drawing huge audiences while breakingrecordsattention by the handsome Raouland the Phantom.
along the way. The show is playing at theThe tension from these relationships is what
Majestic Theatre on Broadway in the Theatermoves the show into it's musical climax.
districtlocated on the North side of 44th StreetWill the Phantom reveal himself to Christine or will
west of Broadway close to 8th Avenue. Runninghe forever live alone in his lair, hidden from the
time is two and a halfhours with one intermissionworld?
and considered in the genre of original BroadwayThe Phantom of the opera touches on something
musical.which we all sometimes feel, the struggle to
The question always arises "what makes phantomaccept our faultsand to have the strength to
of the opera such a hit on Broadway" and thereshow what one might consider a weakness to
is no easy answerto the question, perhaps it isthe world. The story seems tocaptivate audiences
the storyline and the subject of beauty and lovewith it's truth about love and acceptance, as well
or maybe it is the writing ofas if beauty truly is only skin deep.
Andrew Lloyd Webber along with Charles HartThe reason the show has had such success world
and Richard Stilgoe. Whatever the reason there iswide is simply do to the power of the writing
no questioningthe fact that phantom of the Operawhich toucheson something very deep within
has created a lot of attention and become aeveryone, regardless of nationality.
staple to the Broadway theaterscene.The Phantom of the Opera's cast includes Howard
The musical is based on the original novel writtenMcGillin, Sandra Joseph, Rebecca Pitcher,
by Gaston Leroux and has been winning audiencesTim Martin Gleason, Anne Runolfsson, Jeff Keller,
over withit's dark and romantic storyline. WithGeorge Lee Andrews, Marilyn Caskey,
now over ten million theater audiences entertainedLarry Wayne Morbitt, Kara Klein. The musical
by the production intwenty-two countries andscore credits go to Andrew Lloyd Weber, who
over one hundred cities the success reachescreatedsome memorable music which really adds
much further then New York alone.to the depth of the production. Lyrics were
With international success on this level the showcreated by
clearly has something which entertains andCharles Hart and Richard Stilgow, the show is
touches the hearts ofeveryone who goes to seeunder the direction of Harold Prince.
it.The hit record breaking musical is a great choice
Telling the story of Christine Dae, a young andfor adult audiences. The more dramatic storyline
inexperienced member of the Paris operaandmature musical score would likely not entertain
Company. Christinequickly becomes the focus ofa younger audience. Phantom of the Opera show
the "Phantom" and is soon captured and takentickets areselling at an average price of around
victim to the man who hauntsthe theater house.seventy-five dollars. For a great night out and if
The Phantom wants the young women toyou are in the moodfor a more dramatic musical
premier as the opening prima Donna for theon Broadway, this show is sure to leave you
production.entertained and the proof isin the sheer numbers
He then moves forward to bring the maidenof audiences which have already left the theater
beneath the theater and into his secret lair, wherein awe.
he quickly confesshis love for her.