Photo Coverage: Phantom of the Opera's 8000th Performance

The longest-running show in Broadway history, Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, set another unprecedented milestone.  With its 2PM matinee on Wednesday, April 4, the musical became the first Broadway show ever to reach 8,000 performances.  Now in its phenomenal 20th Year, the Cameron Mackintosh/Really Useful Group, Inc. production, directed by Harold Prince, continues to play at The Majestic Theatre (247 West 44th Street), with no end in sight.

The occasion was marked with a special presentation during the curtain call at that day's matinee.  In addition, the cast and crew celebrated with a private party.

Based on the classic novel Le Fantôme de L'Opéra by Gaston Leroux, The Phantom of the Opera tells the story of a masked figure who lurks beneath the catacombs of the Paris Opera House, exercising a reign of terror over all who inhabit it.  He falls madly in love with an innocent young soprano, Christine, and devotes himself to creating a new star by nurturing her extraordinary talents and by employing all of the devious methods at his command.  The musical stars Howard McGillin in the title role with Jennifer Hope Wills as Christine and Michael Shawn Lewis as Raoul.  The musical also co-stars George Lee Andrews (Monsieur Andre), David Cryer (Monsieur Firmin), Anne Runolfsson (Carlotta), Marilyn Caskey (Madame Giry), Roland Rusinek (Piangi) and Heather McFadden (Meg Giry). 

The show has music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and is directed by Harold Prince.  Lyrics are by Charles Hart (with additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe) and the book is by Richard Stilgoe and Andrew Lloyd Webber. 

Visit www.thephantomoftheopera.com for tickets and more information.

Photos by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.

 

The ensemble

Jimmy Smagula

Anne Runolfsson

Heather McFadden

Michael Shawn Lewis

Michael Shawn Lewis

Michael Shawn Lewis

Jennifer Hope Wills

Jennifer Hope Wills

Jennifer Hope Wills

Howard McGillin

Howard McGillin

Howard McGillin

Howard McGillin and Jennifer Hope Wills

Michael Shawn Lewis, Howard McGillin and Jennifer Hope Wills

Michael Shawn Lewis, Howard McGillin and Jennifer Hope Wills

Michael Shawn Lewis, Howard McGillin, Jennifer Hope Wills and cast

Michael Shawn Lewis, Howard McGillin, Jennifer Hope Wills and cast

Michael Shawn Lewis, Howard McGillin, Jennifer Hope Wills and cast

Howard McGillin, Jennifer Hope Wills and cast

Howard McGillin, Michael Shawn Lewis, Jennifer Hope Wills and cast

Howard McGillin, Michael Shawn Lewis, Jennifer Hope Wills and cast

Howard McGillin, Michael Shawn Lewis, Jennifer Hope Wills and cast

Howard McGillin, Michael Shawn Lewis, Jennifer Hope Wills and cast

Michael Shawn Lewis, Howard McGillin, Jennifer Hope Wills and cast

Michael Shawn Lewis, Howard McGillin, Jennifer Hope Wills and cast

Howard McGillin