ANDREW Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera has been one of Broadway's most successful shows.
With many adaptations of the original show, musical theatre fans want to know just how long The Phantom of the Opera has been around.
How long has The Phantom of the Opera been on Broadway?
The Phantom of the Opera first debuted in London on West End on October 9, 1986.
However, the show eventually made its way to Broadway due to its success debuting on January 9, 1988.
The playwright and music were both composed by Broadway producer, Andrew Lloyd Webber.
In 2004, the show received a film adaptation directed by Joel Schumacher.
Read More on Broadway
Since its debut, the show has remained running until the COVID-19 pandemic.
When theatre resumed, both the West End and Broadway show returned.
However, due to inflation, the show had its final Broadway performance on April 16, 2023.
As of October 2023, The Phantom of the Opera is still running in West End and the play has become the longest-running show.
Most read in Entertainment
Who has played The Phantom on Broadway?
Since The Phantom of the Opera debuted on Broadway, a number of actors took the role of The Phantom.
These actors include:
- Michael Crawford
- Timothy Nolen
- Cris Groenendaal
- Steve Barton
- Kevin Gray
- Mark Jacoby
- Marcus Lovett
- Davis Gaines
- Hugh Panaro
- Howard McGillin
- John Cudia
- Peter Jöback
- Norm Lewis
- James Barbour
- Laird Mackintosh
- Ben Crawford
What is the musical based on?
The Phantom of the Opera is based on the 1910 novel by Gaston Leroux of the same name.
The story is based on a masked man, also known as the Phantom who lurks around the Paris Opera House.
While in the shadows of the opera house, the Phantom hears and falls in love with a singer named Christine.
However, Christine is in love with her childhood friend Raoul and it drives the Phantom mad.
The Phantom then kidnaps Christine and keeps her locked away in his lair. While Raoul attempts to get Christine back from the Phantom.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTEZqqupl6YvK57xKernqqklravucSnq2hxY2eDdoCXaKehmZ6pvK55zqmcq5ldl7%2BwrcOwmLJlmKTEbrjOp55o