Running since January 1988 In this classic musical - the longest running in Broadway history - a hideously deformed man lives in the cellars of the Paris Opera and takes a beautiful soprano as a student. Winner of 7 Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
This show is a very good buy for families looking for the quintessential Broadway experience. The scenery is lavish, the lush orchestral score has a real "Broadway" feel to it, and even after all of the worldwide productions, tours, and the 2004 film, the original is still a great introduction to Broadway.
Here's a clip from the 1988 Tony Award broadcast, featuring the show's original stars, Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman (neither of whom are currently in the Broadway production):
In July 2005 a NY Times critic revisited "The Phantom of the Opera" and said: "Judging by sheer invention, emotional punch and onstage talent, the venerable blockbuster still beats out almost all of the whippersnappers currently on Broadway."
1988 Tony Awards: Best Musical, Best Direction of a Musical, Best Scenic Design, Best Costume Design, Best Lighting Designer, Best Actor in a Musical (Michael Crawford), Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Judy Kaye).
1988 Drama Desk Awards: Outstanding Music, Outstanding Director of a Musical, Outstanding Set Design, Outstanding Costume Design, Outstanding Lighting Design, Outstanding Orchestration, Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Michael Crawford).
1988 Outer Critics Circle Awards: Best Broadway Musical, Best Set Design, Best Costume Design, Best Lighting Design, Best Actor in a Musical (Michael Crawford).
Phantom is shameless in its appeal to our most atavistic taste for melodrama, spectacle, Grand Guignol, sheer, blessedly silly fun. The book is touchingly faithful to its endearingly kitschy original. [Director] Prince indulges his visual genius and has some extra fun strewing Freudian touches all over the place. Lloyd Webber provides the most seductive, romantic score heard on Broadway in a long time. And the lyrics by Charles Hart are erratic. But when everything comes together this show crushes all cavils.
AP
The story, a Gothic, heart-tugging romance, lends itself to music.
Anonymous
January 9, 2016
super - had a wonderful time
Carol
July 4, 2015
We took my grandson and a friend to see Phantom. They loved the show and the seats were excellent. Easy ticket pick-up at the will call, too.
Thanks Entertainment-Link
Anonymous
March 6, 2015
Great show. A real classic!
Entertainment Link did not send a full confirmation. So we just went and actually got our tickets without any issues at the will call window. Many THANKS!