Phantom of the opera is the longest running Broadway show in the history of New York theater, originally opening



on January 26, 1988 the production is in it's eighteenth year and still drawing huge audiences while breaking

records along the way. The show is playing at the Majestic Theatre on Broadway in the Theater district

located on the North side of 44th Street west of Broadway close to 8th Avenue. Running time is two and a half

hours with one intermission and considered in the genre of original Broadway musical.

The question always arises "what makes phantom of the opera such a hit on Broadway" and there is no easy answer

to the question, perhaps it is the storyline and the subject of beauty and love or maybe it is the writing of

Andrew Lloyd Webber along with Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe. Whatever the reason there is no questioning

the fact that phantom of the Opera has created a lot of attention and become a staple to the Broadway theater

scene.

The musical is based on the original novel written by Gaston Leroux and has been winning audiences over with

it's dark and romantic storyline. With now over ten million theater audiences entertained by the production in

twenty-two countries and over one hundred cities the success reaches much further then New York alone.

With international success on this level the show clearly has something which entertains and touches the hearts of

everyone who goes to see it.

Telling the story of Christine Dae, a young and inexperienced member of the Paris opera Company. Christine

quickly becomes the focus of the "Phantom" and is soon captured and taken victim to the man who haunts

the theater house. The Phantom wants the young women to premier as the opening prima Donna for the production.

He then moves forward to bring the maiden beneath the theater and into his secret lair, where he quickly confess

his love for her.

Christine however has a much different love interest, the rich and handsome opera house patron by the name

of Raoul. There becomes the struggle for the young opera singers love and attention by the handsome Raoul

and the Phantom. The tension from these relationships is what moves the show into it's musical climax.

Will the Phantom reveal himself to Christine or will he forever live alone in his lair, hidden from the world?

The Phantom of the opera touches on something which we all sometimes feel, the struggle to accept our faults

and to have the strength to show what one might consider a weakness to the world. The story seems to

captivate audiences with it's truth about love and acceptance, as well as if beauty truly is only skin deep.

The reason the show has had such success world wide is simply do to the power of the writing which touches

on something very deep within everyone, regardless of nationality.

The Phantom of the Opera's cast includes Howard McGillin, Sandra Joseph, Rebecca Pitcher,

Tim Martin Gleason, Anne Runolfsson, Jeff Keller, George Lee Andrews, Marilyn Caskey,

Larry Wayne Morbitt, Kara Klein. The musical score credits go to Andrew Lloyd Weber, who created

some memorable music which really adds to the depth of the production. Lyrics were created by

Charles Hart and Richard Stilgow, the show is under the direction of Harold Prince.

The hit record breaking musical is a great choice for adult audiences. The more dramatic storyline and

mature musical score would likely not entertain a younger audience. Phantom of the Opera show tickets are

selling at an average price of around seventy-five dollars. For a great night out and if you are in the mood

for a more dramatic musical on Broadway, this show is sure to leave you entertained and the proof is

in the sheer numbers of audiences which have already left the theater in awe.