The Phantom of the Opera (1986 musical)
Musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber, based on Gaston Leroux's novel.
Andrew Lloyd Webber composed the music for *The Phantom of the Opera*, with lyrics by Charles Hart and additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe; Lloyd Webber and Stilgoe also wrote the libretto. The story, drawn from Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel, follows the tragic fate of the soprano Christine Daaé, who captivates a disfigured musical prodigy hiding in the Paris Opera House’s underground maze. The show premiered in London’s West End in 1986, then opened on Broadway in 1988 under Harold Prince’s direction.
Sarah Brightman, then married to Lloyd Webber, played Christine Daaé; Michael Crawford took the role of the Phantom, and Steve Barton portrayed Raoul. The production won the 1986 Olivier Award and the 1988 Tony Award for Best Musical, with Crawford earning both the Olivier and Tony for Best Actor in a Musical. A 2004 film adaptation was directed by Joel Schumacher.
This musical holds the record as the longest-running show in Broadway history, reaching its 10,000th performance on 11 February 2012—the first Broadway production to do so. In the West End, it ranks as the second longest-running musical (after *Les Misérables*) and the third longest-running show overall (after *The Mousetrap*). By 2019, more than 140 million people across 183 cities in 41 countries had seen it. Its total worldwide gross exceeded $6 billion, with Broadway grosses over $1 billion, making it the most financially successful entertainment event until *The Lion King* surpassed it in 2014.
The original West End run at His Majesty’s Theatre ended in March 2020 due to COVID-19 closures. A revised, scaled-down staging—with a smaller orchestra and redesigned set—reopened at the same theatre in July 2021. The original Broadway production gave its final performance on 16 April 2023.
**Synopsis**
**Prologue** In 1919, a Paris Opéra House auction sells theatre memorabilia. Raoul de Chagny, among the attendees, buys Lot 665: a papier-mâché music box with a monkey figurine. He remarks that it looks “exactly as she said.” Lot 666 is a broken chandelier, partly rewired with electricity. The auctioneer notes that this chandelier was part of a famous disaster linked to “the strange affair of the Phantom of the Opera, a mystery never fully explained.” He orders the chandelier lit. As the overture plays, the chandelier flickers to life and rises to the ceiling, transporting the scene back to the oper
- opened_west_end
- 1986
- opened_broadway
- 1988
- field
- Musical theatre
- based_on
- 1910 novel by Gaston Leroux
- known_for
- Longest running show in Broadway history; most financially successful entertainment event until 2014
Lore & Background
The musical opened in London's West End in 1986 and on Broadway in New York in 1988, directed by Harold Prince. The original cast featured English classical soprano Sarah Brightman as Christine Daaé, Michael Crawford as the Phantom, and Steve Barton as Raoul. It won the 1986 Olivier Award and the 1988 Tony Award for Best Musical, with Crawford winning both Best Actor awards. A film adaptation directed by Joel Schumacher was released in 2004.
The Phantom of the Opera is the longest running show in Broadway history, celebrating its 10,000th performance on 11 February 2012, the first Broadway production to do so. It is the second longest-running West End musical, after Les Misérables, and the third longest-running West End show overall. By 2019, it had been seen by over 140 million people in 183 cities across 41 countries.
The original West End production at His Majesty's Theatre ended in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A scaled-down revised staging opened in the same theatre in July 2021. The original Broadway production played its final performance on 16 April 2023.
Reader's Guide
The Phantom of the Opera holds a significant place in musical theatre history as the longest running show on Broadway and a major commercial success. With total estimated worldwide gross receipts of over $6 billion and total Broadway gross of over $1 billion, it was the most financially successful entertainment event until The Lion King surpassed it in 2014. Its longevity and global reach—seen by over 140 million people in 183 cities across 41 countries by 2019—demonstrate its enduring appeal. The musical's influence extends to its 2004 film adaptation and its role in popularizing the tragic romance of the Phantom and Christine. The production's original stars, particularly Michael Crawford's portrayal of the Phantom, became iconic. The show's closure on Broadway in 2023 and its revised West End staging mark the end of an era, but its legacy as a benchmark for commercial and critical success in musical theatre remains.
Did You Know?
- The Phantom of the Opera is the longest running show in Broadway history.
- It celebrated its 10,000th performance on 11 February 2012, the first Broadway production to do so.
- Total estimated worldwide gross receipts are over $6 billion.
- By 2019, it had been seen by over 140 million people in 183 cities across 41 countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Phantom of the Opera (1986 musical)?
It is a musical theatre production with a score by Andrew Lloyd Webber, book and additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe and Charles Hart, adapted from Gaston Leroux's 1910 French novel. The story centers on a young soprano named Christine Daaé and her dangerous relationship with a masked musical genius who dwells beneath the Paris Opera House.
Who originated the leading roles in the first production?
Sarah Brightman created the role of Christine Daaé, while Michael Crawford stepped into the title part of the Phantom for the original London cast. The production was directed by Harold Prince.
How does The Phantom of the Opera (1986 musical) end?
After opening the dam to flood the opera house, the Phantom ultimately relents and lets Christine go to Raoul. He then vanishes into the underground labyrinth, leaving the two lovers to escape together.
Why is The Phantom of the Opera (1986 musical) considered a landmark in theatre history?
It became the longest-running production in Broadway history and held the record as the most financially successful entertainment event of all time until 2014. Its cultural footprint made it one of the most instantly recognizable musicals ever staged.
When and where did The Phantom of the Opera (1986 musical) first open?
The show premiered in London's West End in 1986 before transferring to Broadway in 1988. It has since been performed in numerous cities around the world and remains a staple of the musical theatre repertoire.
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