By Amanda Moses
“Think of me fondly,” were the words that rung out for the Phantom of the Opera’s final performance on April 16th after breaking records as the longest running musical on Broadway.
For 35 years, the Phantom of the Opera has held 13,981 performances, and employed 6,500 people (including 400 actors and 27 full-time musicians). According to the production company, the show has grossed over $1.3 billion and has been seen by nearly 20 million people. Directed by the late Harold Prince, produced by Cameron Mackintosh and created by Andrew Lloyd Webber, the musical opened on Broadway on January 26, 1988. Throughout its tenure, it has earned seven Tony Awards.
A red carpet with special guests were invited to help mark the final milestone performance before the Majestic Theatre would go dark. Attendees included: Glenn Close, Lin-Manual Miranda, Gayle King, Sara Bareilles, past Phantom of the Opera cast members such as Sara Brightman, the first Filipino actress to play Christine Ali Ewoldt, and others.
During the final curtain call, Webber dedicated the performance to his son Nicholas who passed away in March from gastric cancer at age 43. The final goodbye invited the entire cast, past and present, to sing “Music of the Night” as images of the Phantom of the Opera’s actors were projected onto a screen. Notably, the final performance included Emilie Kouatchou, who is the first Black actress to play Christine.
As the iconic chandelier dropped down dramatically above the audience for its final bow, confetti burst into the air displaying the bitter-sweet celebration of the past 35-years.
Photos by Amanda Moses
