The Phantom of the Opera says Goodbye to Broadway

By Maria Gaztañaga

For the last 35 years, The Majestic Theater on Broadway has been home to The Phantom of the Opera, making it the longest-running show in Broadway history However, on April 16 of this year, the cast took its final bow as the show closed for good

The show follows a young performer, Christine, as she mourns the loss of her father while being a dancer at an opera house, and the Phantom, who haunts the very same opera house. Throughout the story, the Phantom trains Christine to be an extremely talented opera singer, which lands her the lead in the theater's opera Thus, a love triangle emerges between Christine, the Phantom and Raoul, Christine's childhood friend While all of this is going on, the Phantom orchestrates an entire scheme in order to make Christine his by instilling fear throughout the theater.

Even Broadway’s longest running show had to come to an end at some point. Ultimately, a decline in revenue played a vital role in its closure. Many speculate that Covid had triggered the tragic discontinuation of Phantom, however, producer Cameron Mackintosh reveals that “Phantom was losing money, even before the pandemic ” As a result, Andrew Lloyd Webber took the executive decision to announce a final performance date, officially establishing the end of a musical saga.

When it was first announced that The Phantom of the Opera was closing, fans were devastated, and they took to the internet to express their exasperation Originally, the show was set to close in February, but its run was later extended until April due to popular demand.

The Phantom of the Opera has been cherished by many, whether onstage or even on TV. Through its iconic soundtrack, magnificent costumes, and bigger-than-life sets, the play has solidified its place in the public’s hearts.

Despite Phantom leaving Broadway, the beloved show still remains in many countries, including the United Kingdom and Italy. The play's international fame is further evident in its soundtrack release in seven other languages, including Japanese, Swedish, German, Spanish, Hungarian, Polish, and Korean.

The Phantom of the Opera’s legacy has transcended the barriers of time, forging marvelous memories within each generation Even though the show's curtains have closed for the final time, its memory will never fade away.