Happy 20th Birthday Phantom

[winston89]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 1:09pm

I thought a thread like this should be started. Like it or not it is the longest running show on Broadway and it amazes me how it is has been able to play this long.

[WickedRedX]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 1:18pm

Happy birthday Phantom. Wish I could be there.

[george95]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 1:29pm

Happy 20th Birthday Phantom, and I still have my fingers cross that I will somehow make it to the 8pm show tonight!

[winston89]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 1:29pm

Does anyone know if they are doing anything special tonight because of that fact?

[george95]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 1:38pm

Well, from the special on the news yesterday, it sounded like just a private cast party after the 8pm show.
The thing with Phantom is they are ALWAYS having some sort of a huge milestone: 20th anniversary, the 8,000th performance, becoming the longest-running show, so they can't always go all out for every single thing. And at this time last year, when they hit 8,000, they invited back lots of old cast members, and it was the first time that Michael Crawford had ever sat in the audience for Phantom, and they had a cake on stage. For the 7,486th performance 2 years ago, they had an actress in a Cats outfit do some of the choreography from Cats, and then literally and metaphorically "pass the baton" to the Phantom for the new longest-running show. Hopefully I will be there tonight to let you guys know what happens. It will totally break my bank account, but hey its not like there will be another big anniversary for at least 5 more years right : )

Updated On: 1/26/08 at 01:38 PM

[kec]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 2:10pm

I was in attendance at the 20th Birthday for the London Production. ALW was there, looking somewhat uncomfortable at having to speak, and then he introduced his "muse" for the show, Sarah Brightman. She also spoke, and I believe Earl Carpenter (the actor playing the Phantom at that time) spoke as well. A cake was brought out, and then there were gold streamers coming down from above. I was in the stalls, and was absolutely coverd in gold streamers.

George, if memory serves, Michael Crawford was in attendance the night POTO became the longest running show on Broadway.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 2:15pm

A private party will b held after the 8PM performance this evening, yes. Don't expect much pomp and parade at the Majestic this evening. As stated previously, they can't 'go all-out' for EVERYTHING - with so many milestones lately. Nevertheless, I want to take this window of opportunity and wish the cast, crew, and creative a splendid evening! Happy 'Big 2-0' PHANTOM OF THE OPERA!

[fnyboi88]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 3:52pm

I was really excited to see the musical for the first time this past summer. It is my favorite musical I've seen done on stage by far.

I too turn 20 this year.

Happy 20th on Broadway!!!

[roseaddams]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 4:05pm

Which is older: The Phantom of the Opera's Broadway production or roseaddams?

Answer: Phantom.

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 7:26pm

Happy 20th Birthday Phantom!

[jerseyboyschick2]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 7:30pm

Happy 20th Phantom!!!

Such an amazing show that continues to amaze people after this long! :)

[broadwayrules]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 10:51pm

Happy 20th year Phantom!!!!!

[adamgreer]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 11:30pm

Those wanting to see it tonight could have...the evening performance was up on TKTS when I walked by.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 11:33pm

I really have to revisit PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (since I never saw the show on Broadway & never been to the MAJESTIC THEATER) I just revisited MAMMA MIA today, will revisit RENT on 6/1 and probably one more long running show for me this year...okay... POTO since its his b-day!

J*
Updated On: 1/26/08 at 11:33 PM

[george95]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 11:36pm

I didn't make it to the 20th anniversary show tonight due to the fact that I don't have a dime to spare : ( But I'd love to hear about what happened if anybody went.

Updated On: 1/27/08 at 11:36 PM

[Dover]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 2:53am

Howard made a nice little speech at the curtain call. He acknowledged George Lee Andrews as the only remaining original company member and mentioned the work of all the people behind the scenes, some of whom have also been with the show from the beginning. Then he said that the show wouldn't still be running without the care put into it by Hal Prince, and he pointed out Hal in the audience. He ended it with something like, "We'll see you in another 20 years."

The party was fairly modest, but bigger than an average anniversary party. It was at the Dream hotel, which was cool and had amazing views, but very dark and with a number of disjointed rooms, so it didn't really feel like a celebration, just mingling in a confined space with a limited number of people. And they could have used more food -- whenever the servers came around with like 10 hors d'oeuvres the size of a nickel they were completely mobbed within seconds. But it was a nice time. Phantom definitely suffers (if you can call it that) from an overabundance of milestones in the last 3 years or so, and it seemed like a lot of people didn't attend.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 7:59am

I worked at Phantom when it first opened. I had just moved to NYC when tickets first went on sale for this production. I remember the line going all the way down 44th Street. I can't be 20 years older, I just can't!!

[crivellofan]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 10:39am

Cheers Phantom! Cheers for the 20 years that has past and the many years to follow! Happy 20th

[nmartin]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 10:58am

There was a very short segment on the Today show about this. If anyone else saw it this morning (Sunday), don't you just love the usher who was interviewed?

[The White Half-Mask]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 11:47am

Happy 20th birthday, Phantom! Cheers!

[george95]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 11:50am

Dover I cant believe you didnt let me tag along to that party!