Following an unparalleled 35-year run, the New York manufacturing of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Phantom of the Opera," Broadway's longest-running present, will finish in early 2023, producers confirmed Friday.
The present's closing efficiency will probably be held on Feb. 18, 2023, producers Cameron Waterproof coat and The Actually Helpful Group stated in a information launch.
"As a British producer who has been fortunate sufficient to have been producing in New York for over 40 consecutive years, it has been an unparalleled honour to have introduced the longest-running musical in Broadway's historical past, Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'The Phantom of the Opera,'" Waterproof coat stated in an announcement. "That this legendary present has thrilled New York for practically 35 phenomenal years is sort of astounding to me."
Because it opened on the Majestic Theatre on Jan. 26, 1988, Broadway's "Phantom" has had over 13,500 performances to 19.5 million individuals and grossed $1.3 billion, in keeping with producers. It has gained seven Tony Awards, together with greatest musical. Producers stated the present has been Broadway's largest generator of jobs in Broadway and U.S. theatrical historical past, using roughly 6,500 individuals throughout its run.
Worldwide, it has additionally been carried out in entrance of an estimated 145 million individuals in 41 nations, and in 17 languages, producers stated.
Although the Broadway iteration will probably be closing its doorways, the present will nonetheless proceed in different places.
The novel "The Phantom of the Opera," written by French author Gaston Laroux, was revealed in 1909. The character was first dropped at the large display in a 1925 silent movie.
On its twenty fifth anniversary on Broadway, Webber, the present's composer, recalled to CBS Information studying Laroux's novel.
"I keep in mind discovering the e book in New York and studying it one afternoon and pondering, 'It is not the identical as I keep in mind it,'" Webber instructed CBS Information in 2013. "It is not a form of humorous factor, with any individual popping out and saying, 'Boo' from behind a chandelier. It is really a couple of romance."
When the present first opened in New York in 1988, it had already been a success for 2 years in London. Nonetheless, not all of the critics took to it kindly. One reviewer within the New York Occasions referred to as it, "psychologically light-weight."
It has been a pricey musical to maintain, with elaborate units and costumes in addition to a big forged and orchestra. Field workplace grosses have fluctuated for the reason that present reopened after the pandemic — going as excessive as over $1 million every week but in addition dropping to round $850,000. Final week, it hit $867,997 — and producers might have seen the writing on the wall.
"Phantom" tells the story of a deformed composer who haunts the Paris Opera Home and falls head over heels in love with an harmless younger soprano, Christine. Andrew Lloyd Webber's lavish songs embody "Masquerade," ″Angel of Music," ″All I Ask of You" and "The Music of the Evening."
The closing of "Phantom" would imply the longest still-running present crown would go to "Chicago," which began in 1996. "The Lion King" is subsequent, having begun performances in 1997.