Since opening in January 1988, Andrew Lloyd Webber's megahit musical has wowed New Yorkers and tourists alike, becoming a symbol of the famous theatre district. It wrapped up the historical run on Sunday night
'Phantom of the Opera' ends record run with final Broadway bow
Image: Cecilia Sanchez/ AFPTV / AFP
After 35 years and almost 14,000 performances, the curtain fell for the final time Sunday on the longest-running show in Broadway history—"The Phantom of the Opera."
Since opening in January 1988, Andrew Lloyd Webber's megahit musical has wowed New Yorkers and tourists alike, becoming a symbol of the famous theater district.
The melodrama about a masked musical genius who haunts the Paris Opera House and whose heart aches for the young soprano Christine has been seen by 20 million people and grossed over $1.4 billion in ticket sales.
But producers decided it was time to end the record-breaking run after the show struggled to rebound from Broadway's 18-month closure during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Spectator Daniel Wright said that while he'd seen the show multiple times, the final night was "extraordinary."