It's 21 Years on Broadway for The Phantom

On January 26, 1988, Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera made its Broadway debut at the Majestic Theatre in New York City, New York. The debut followed its successful London, England launch at Her Majesty's Theatre a little over a year prior. The Majestic Theatre was built in 1927 and has been the site of countless productions, but few have left its mark quite like The Phantom of the Opera.

Last year on this date, the production celebrated its 20th anniversary at the theater, having clocked over 8,318 matinee and 8,319 evening performances (one of which I had the pleasure of attending back in 1998 - see photo above) at the Majestic alone. The milestone made it the first time a Broadway production had ever reached the 20-year mark, which makes this 21st anniversary yet another historical marker to beat. Between its performances in London and New York (and now Las Vegas with "additions and enhancements"), alongside its various road tours, The Phantom of the Opera has played to over 80 million theatergoers and grossed over $3.3 billion worldwide.

So here's a toast to the Angel of Music and its long-running success.

Celebrate the milestone with a visit to the Majestic Theatre.

-Casey H.