Phantom Closing? — Page 9

Count me in as one of those who is complete saddened by the news of it shutting down. The Phantom of the Opera felt liked a solid fixture of New York City. This is the musical that got my attention and introduced me to theater. Even more sad for me is that I planned on bring my two teens to NYC in the Spring to see 'The Brilliant Original' as the one that is currently touring is 'meh' in comparison.

I can't believe it.

BroadwayNYC2 said: "the show is in rickety shape"

What does that mean?

Lot666 said: "BroadwayNYC2 said: "the show is in rickety shape"

What does that mean?

Yeah I'm curious as well. I've seen the show six times this year and everything about it is in top shape.

The only thing I'll say is now that Harold Prince is dead, there is no one to lovingly look after the show like he did.

And even if the sets WERE falling apart etc, if you think for one second that Cameron Mackintosh said "aw man I would love for Phantom to keep running but its just in such bad shape I have no choice to close it!" you're way off base. Word now is that ALW fought very hard against this but it sounds like Cameron has wanted this show gone for a long time and he is finally getting his way.
"

Choreography was rough, notes were missed, scene transitions lacked momentum. It was not the night I had the first time I saw it (not the second, third, fourth). It very much felt like it has been running for 35 years. I get many of you are super fans, and my Opinion of the most recent performance doesn’t change that, but for me, the show has had brighter days and im thankful for the great times I’ve had at the show in the past.

I think the Broadway production is in top form now. It looks, sounds and feels fresh.

Hopefully they will just make some adjustments like they did in London, it would be a shame if this classic show stops altogether. I feel that Cameron initially pretended that the London production would stay the "brilliant original" but just bigger and better, and that it was the fans that called it "closed" and a "completely different production". Hopefully we will get some news soon.

From NYT brief interview with Mackintosh, "The World has Changed."



What are the weekly running costs?

Just under about $950,000 net now, which is about $100,000 more than it was pre-Covid. Costs on both sides of the Atlantic have gone up, whereas the box office hasn’t. And generally, I would say, across my group of theaters, there’s much less international tourism. Box office is down 10 to 15 percent on average. The truth is that “Phantom” was having a number of losing weeks pre-Covid, but the good weeks were much, much higher. And there comes a point, with any show, where there is a tipping point, where the number of good weeks has declined sufficiently that actually it’s outweighed by the number of losing weeks, and at that point there’s only one sensible decision to make.

JasonC3 said: "From NYT brief interview with Mackintosh, "The World has Changed."



What are the weekly running costs?

Just under about $950,000 net now, which is about $100,000 more than it was pre-Covid. Costs on both sides of the Atlantic have gone up, whereas the box office hasn’t. And generally, I would say, across my group of theaters, there’s much less international tourism. Box office is down 10 to 15 percent on average. The truth is that “Phantom” was having a number of losing weeks pre-Covid, but the good weeks were much, much higher. And there comes a point, with any show, where there is a tipping point, where the number of good weeks has declined sufficiently that actually it’s outweighed by the number of losing weeks, and at that point there’s only one sensible decision to make."

Zero mention of Hal Prince in this interview with Mackintosh. “It’s a different world that Andrew and I created the show in.”

He has always had contempt for his own directors - downsizing and altering productions to avoid paying royalties.

I foresee exactly what happened when they closed Les Miserables in 2003; closing was announced in the fall with a date set for the end of February. Then in January, they announced that due to "overwhelming demand" the closing date would be pushed back until the end of May. Which enabled them to fill the houses for the slow months of Jan/Feb, and still cash in on the spring school groups.

With all the renovations to the theater, a closing in Feb. wouldn't give any new show long enough to move in before the Tony Awards' cut-off date in April, anyway. I'd bet money on it.

IronMan said: "I foresee exactly what happened when they closedLes Miserablesin 2003; closing was announced in the fall with a date set for the end of February. Then in January, they announced that due to "overwhelming demand" the closing date would be pushed back until the end of May. Which enabled them to fill the houses for the slow months of Jan/Feb, and still cash in on the spring school groups.

With all the renovations to the theater, a closing in Feb. wouldn't give any new show long enough to move in before the Tony Awards' cut-off date in April, anyway. I'd bet money on it."

There's also the time required to remove the Phantom set which is pretty substantial. There also may be traps, added lifts, etc that were put in that may need to be removed (might the Shuberts decide they'd just as soon keep these available? I though I heard somewhere the passageway added for Grizabella to get back down to stage is blocked off but still there at the Winter Garden).

The other question was whether any renovations were done during the shutdown (some things probably were not doable with 8 shows a week going on, but did not require the show being removed from the theatre).

Still, I tend to agree- even a Feb 18 closing won't provide time for a new show this season- or at least a show of the type needs to fill the Majestic. (Not that any such revival is on the horizon, but as an example- something like "Our Town" could be put in fast enough- but won't work in such a big theatre).

aw

Updated On: 9/19/22 at 01:46 AM

I've seen Phantom on Broadway about nine times. I'd ask friends who came for a visit what Broadway show they'd like to see and Phantom was a favorite. I grew weary of it though, especially the last two times when the chandelier was out of commission. It was just lying there, very distracting and disheartening. Like it was dead. Right before intermission I would go to use the rest room and noticed staff members taking naps in the lobby. This was several years ago. Out with a whimper...

Updated On: 9/19/22 at 09:46 AM

Stage Door Sally said: "I've seen Phantom on Broadway about nine times. I'd ask friends who came for a visit what Broadway show they'd like to see and Phantom was a favorite. I grew weary of it though, especially the last two times when the chandelier was out of commission. It was just lying there, very distracting and disheartening. Like it was dead. Right before intermission I would go to use the rest room and noticed staff members taking naps in the lobby. This was several years ago. Out with a whimper..."

Sadly, these long running shows become museum pieces. Stale over time with very little oversight. Everyone is on auto pilot.

"Phantom" had its long run - its over stayed its welcome.

Mackintosh hints that Phantom could potentially return to NY in the future "in some form":

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Cameron-Mackintosh-Says-THE-PHANTOM-OF-THE-OPERA-Will-Come-Back-at-Some-Point-20220919