‘The Phantom of the Opera’ ends its 35-year-long Broadway run

One of the most popular musicals in history, ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ premiered in 1986 at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London before making its Broadway debut in 1988 at the Majestic Theatre.

After 35 years, the musical has officially closed on Broadway following 13,981 performances.

With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe, and a book by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Richard Stilgoe, ‘Phantom of the Opera’ is one of the most financially successful entertainment events.

Why did ‘Phantom’ close?

Prior to 2020, the musical would see large sales fluctuations.

“Over the years, the number of good weeks at the box office started to shrink,” said theatrical producer Cameron Mackintosh. “Some of the really bad weeks, we lost a lot of money, particularly in New York.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Broadway as a whole took a heavy hit. Some musicals like ‘Frozen’ and ‘Mean Girls’ were closed permanently, meaning they didn’t reopen following Broadway’s revival.

However, post-lockdown sales were less than stellar and despite receiving insurance funds from the federal Shuttered Venue Operators Grant, ‘Phantom’ was never able to fully recover.

“Even with that money, until I actually announced in September that the show was in its final months, we were losing money every week,” said Mackintosh.

What the cast have to say

The Broadway show has employed around 6500 people – including 400 actors – as it takes an incredible cast, orchestra, and crew of 125 to put on a show.

Richard Poole has been a member of the show’s ensemble for nearly 25 years and is now losing job security.

“I got the gig of a lifetime,” he said. “There’s no other way to describe it. It’s given me the ability to have security and to plan ahead.

“It gives me discipline and structure in my life, and it gives me a constant way to maintain my craft.”

Nevertheless, ‘Phantom’ has secured a legacy within the musical theater community and Mackintosh is certain that the show will return.

“Of course, it will return,” he said. “All the great musicals do.”