Photo: Matthew Murphy
After being immediately Sold Out since the closing announcement in September of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, Cameron Mackintosh confirmed today that his and The Really Useful Group’s iconic and record-breaking Broadway production will extend its history-making run for an additional and final eight weeks. Originally announced to conclude on Saturday, February 18, the longest-running show in Broadway history will now play its last performance on Sunday, April 16, 2023 – it’s colossal 13,981st. This is the only possible extension for the Broadway champion, as the theatre will then be closed for major renovations after the show’s incredible 35-year run.
Directed by the late theater legend Harold Prince, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA plays at The Majestic Theatre (245 West 44th Street), the musical’s New York home for its entire run. As much a part of the city landscape as the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty, the blockbuster phenomenon has long been a New York City landmark. Widely considered one of the most beautiful and spectacular productions in history, the musical set the bar with its lavish sets and costumes, large cast and Broadway’s largest orchestra – a perfect match for its sumptuous score and classic love story.
Producer Cameron Mackintosh said today, “The response to the news that THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is finally going to end its record-breaking original Broadway run after 35 years has been as phenomenal as the show itself. We are all thrilled that not only the show’s wonderful fans have been snapping up the remaining tickets, but also that a new, younger audience is equally eager to see this legendary production before it disappears. Such is the demand for tickets that we are delighted to announce that The Shubert Organization has been able to arrange a final eight-week extension of the run at The Majestic Theatre.
As seats from February 6 have not yet been put on sale, tomorrow, Wednesday, November 30, we will be putting on sale ALL performances for the final 10 weeks, excluding a major charitable event that will take place the evening of Friday, April 14 and the final performance on Sunday, April 16.
Plans for the special charity performance are being finalized and will be announced in early 2023. Proceeds from the night will go to several Broadway charities as a heartfelt Thank You from everyone involved in PHANTOM to the embracing Broadway community we have so loved being part of, and that has enabled Andrew Lloyd Webber’s glorious musical romance to become Broadway’s longest-running musical for decades.
I am very proud that the excitement surrounding the show’s closure is as palpable as when it first opened in January 1988, and congratulations to our final Company on taking the show out on such a high.”
Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber said today, “I am delighted that, after such an incredible reaction from audiences, PHANTOMat The Majestic is extending. If only the theatre wasn’t closing for a major refurbishment, we’d be there for an awful lot longer. I would love to thank everyone who has made this extension possible, from our cast and crew, to our brilliant musicians and everyone at The Majestic Theatre.”
Robert E. Wankel, Chairman and CEO of The Shubert Organization said, “After so many years at The Majestic Theatre, the renovations on and off stage will be considerable, making April 16 the latest performance date possible for PHANTOM. Until then, we look forward to celebrating this extraordinary success with Andrew Lloyd Webber, Cameron Mackintosh and everyone in The PHANTOM family.”
Tickets for the extension weeks will go on sale tomorrow, Wednesday, November 30 at 10AM at Telecharge.com and in person at The Majestic Theatre box office.
During its New York run, PHANTOM shattered every possible record for advance sales, capitalization, total gross, total attendance and longevity. It became the longest-running show in Broadway history on January 9, 2006 – when it surpassed the nearly 18-year run of Cats – another Andrew Llyod Webber musical, also produced by Cameron Mackintosh –and has since almost doubled that figure. The production’s nearly 14,000 performances have been seen by 19.8 million people and grossed a staggering $1.3 billion. Indeed, PHANTOM has been the largest single generator of income and jobs in Broadway and U.S. theatrical history. In the New York production alone, an estimated 6,500 people (including 450 actors) have been employed during its more than three decades run.
The musical also changed the landscape for touring across the country – inspiring the renovation of theaters and opera houses across the country to house it and revitalizing the economies of countless U.S. cities. The three original U.S. national tours combined grossed over $1.5 billion, playing 216 engagements in 77 cities for an unprecedented total of 36.5 years and over 14,500 performances to 31 million people – making it the most successful and continuously-touring show in U.S. history.
As Broadway bids farewell, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA continues to play around the world. Cameron Mackintosh’s flagship London production, which celebrated its 36th anniversary on October 9, continues to play stronger than ever post-Covid with no end in sight, and his spectacular, new production, directed by Laurence Connor, recently premiered at the Sydney Opera House. The acclaimed sold-out production has since moved to the Arts Centre Melbourne. The first Mandarin language version of PHANTOM, presented by SMG Live, will open in China in 2023. This version is based on the original production and will be co-produced by the producers of The Phantom of the Opera World Tour, The Really Useful Group and Troika Entertainment. Dates and venues to be announced. RUG has also created a new joint venture with Antonio Banderas to create new, high quality Spanish language productions for Hispanic audiences.
The New York production currently stars Ben Crawford as ‘The Phantom,’ Emilie Kouatchou as ‘Christine,’ Jason Forbach as ‘Raoul’ (Paul Adam Schaefer returns December 7 and John Riddle returns January 2), Nehal Joshi as ‘Monsieur André,’ Craig Bennett as ‘Monsieur Firmin,’ Raquel Suarez Groen as ‘Carlotta Giudicelli,’ Maree Johnson as ‘Madame Giry,’ Carlton Moe as ‘Ubaldo Piangi’ and a rotating cast as ‘Meg Giry’ (Sara Etsy returns from a leave of absence January 2). At certain performances, Julia Udine plays the role of ‘Christine.’
The Ensemble features Giselle O. Alvarez, Polly Baird, Jessica Bishop, Janinah Burnett, Xiaoxiao Cao, Joseph DePietro, Kanisha Marie Feliciano, David Michael Garry, Chris Georgetti, Kelly Jeanne Grant, Satomi Hofmann, Ayaka Kamei, Ted Keegan, Kfir, Kelly Loughran, Scott Mikita, Greg Mills, Justin Peck, Patricia Phillips, Lindsay Roberts, Janet Saia, Carly Blake Sebouhian, Jeremy Stolle, Stephen Tewksbury, Carrington Vilmont, Jim Weitzer, Elizabeth Welch and Erica Wong.
The PHANTOM Orchestra – Broadway’s largest, with 27 members – performs under the musical supervision of David Caddick.
PHANTOM currently plays Monday and Wednesday through Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 5pm with matinees Thursday and Saturday at 2pm. Beginning January 2, 2023, the musical will return to its original playing schedule: Monday through Saturday at 8pm with matinees Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm. Ticket prices range from $29–$169, with Premium tickets also available. To order tickets and for holiday schedules, visit www.Telecharge.com or call (212) 239-6200.