"Since 1989 or 1990, I think."
Later, I think more like 1993. The 2nd National Tour opened in Chicago in 1990 for about a year before touring, and the 3rd opened to meet the demands for the smaller markets.
***EDIT
The 3rd National Company of The Phantom of the Opera opened in December of 1992 in Seattle.
Updated On: 2/5/10 at 12:17 PM