Phantom broadway 35th anniversary show

[broadwayTX]

Posted: 1/9/23 at 2:22pm

Anyone have any thoughts or ideas as to whether there will be anything special done at the 35th anniversary show for Phantom in a few weeks? I've planned a NY trip around the show and am hoping for something special, especially considering what they did for the 25th anniversary and 30th anniversary shows. But considering the show is also closing later this year I'm a little nervous they'll just save anything special for the final shows. 

Also are any of you attending the anniversary show? I bought a single ticket since none of my NY friends are as big of fans haha

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 1/9/23 at 2:30pm

broadwayTX said: "Anyone have any thoughts or ideas as to whether there will be anything special done at the 35th anniversary show for Phantom in a few weeks? I've planned a NY trip around the show and am hoping for something special, especially considering what they did for the 25th anniversary and 30th anniversary shows. But considering the show is also closing later this year I'm a little nervous they'll just save anything special for the final shows.

Also are any of you attending the anniversary show? I bought a single ticket since none of my NY friends are as big of fans haha"

IN the past for any anniversary they've done special playbills. I'm guessing they'll do the same for this. I have no idea what else they'll do....for reopening we got a Phantom tote, rose, Phantom mask, and they had cookies handed out when we left the theater. I wonder if they'll do something like that. But don't go there expecting something special. It would be an honor just to be able to attend that performance. No need to be worried or nervous. That's kind of greedy. 

[nealb1]

Posted: 1/9/23 at 2:39pm

I attended the 10,000th POTO performance - was just on a whim that I happened to be in NYC that weekend seeing shows.  Didn't know about it until a week before or so and got a ticket.  It was a Saturday matinee.  Their was a special Playbill, and Gillian Lynne did a wonderful speech at curtain call, and ALW spoke via videotape.  

[broadwayTX]

Posted: 1/9/23 at 2:44pm

hearthemsing22 said: "But don't go there expecting something special. It would be an honor just to be able to attend that performance. No need to be worried or nervous. That's kind of greedy."

I'm not worried or nervous, just would love for them to do something and curious if anyone had heard anything. They could do nothing and I'll be fine. 

[sbflyfan]

Posted: 1/9/23 at 2:53pm

I have a trip planned as well, and am attending performances on the 25th and 26th.  I'm also hoping for a special appearance or two, but I'm just happy I'll actually be there on the show's 35th anniversary date.  Seems like in the past, they didn't announce anything until a few days before. Even then, things were kept a surprise until the night-of.  We'll probably get any announcements that week.

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 1/9/23 at 3:07pm

In that case, yeah I'd think a special playbill and maybe a speech or two. I can't imagine anything else right now nor would I go into the performance expecting anything. 

[Lot666]

Posted: 1/9/23 at 3:25pm

I'm also going on the 25th and 26th. My husband and I attended the London 25th (at RAH) and the Broadway 25th and 30th celebrations. I, too, am hoping for something nice on Thursday evening, but for some reason I'm not expecting much this time.

I think it's because this date is relatively close to what was originally going to be the finale. I expect that they weren't planning to invest much in January, opting instead to do the big blow-up in February. With the actual finale now having been moved to April, anything they might throw together for the 35th will be relatively last-minute in comparison to the advance planning that went into previous events.

Pressed to speculate, I'd say we'll likely get a decal on the Playbill cover (similar to the post-pandemic reopening night) and a fairly brief speech at the curtain call. Maybe a cake on stage. The speech will probably be delivered by either ALW (via video) or Ben Crawford, and they may fire confetti/streamer cannons at the end.

I'm hoping for more, but I just have a feeling there will be no special guests and no grand gestures this time.

Updated On: 1/9/23 at 03:25 PM

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/9/23 at 3:39pm

I attended last year's anniversary performance and we got special Playbills and nice anniversary Phantom logo pins.

[sbflyfan]

Posted: 1/9/23 at 4:06pm

I was thinking the same thing, Lot666.  I can dream, though!  I’m 4 months older than this production, and it’s been a part of my life as long as I can remember. I’m also a huge Sarah Brightman fan because of it, so I’ve been keeping my fingers crossed.
 

Regardless, I’m excited I get to see it twice more, and bid my farewell to the only remaining Brilliant Original. 

[Lot666]

Posted: 1/10/23 at 3:23pm

Have a look at this:

ttps://www.charitybuzz.com/categories/entertainment/catalog_items/auction-2-house-seats-to-35th-anniversary-performance-2494022

It says "You and a guest will enjoy two VIP house seats to the 35th Anniversary performance of The Phantom of the Opera on January 28 at 8 pm in New York.", but then it says "Experience occurs on Jan 26, 2023"

[sbflyfan]

Posted: 1/10/23 at 4:19pm

It says “January 26th” in three places on that page, and “January 28th” only once. Hopefully that’s just a typo! 

[The8re phan]

Posted: 1/10/23 at 5:24pm

that link is also still listing the previous February closing, so I don't think they're too concerned about accuracy

Updated On: 1/10/23 at 05:24 PM

[Lot666]

Posted: 1/11/23 at 9:48am

I contacted Charity Buzz and they confirmed that "the experience occurs on January 26th".

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/11/23 at 10:35am

The8re phan said: "that link is also still listing the previous February closing, so I don't think they're too concerned about accuracy "

 

...And that bothers me!  LOL

(LOVE your Coco avatar!)

 

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 1/11/23 at 1:12pm

hearthemsing22 said: "In that case, yeah I'd think a special playbill and maybe a speech or two. I can't imagine anything else right now nor would I go into the performance expecting anything."

You keep talking people down or trying to ease expectations - people were just asking questions. No one was being greedy or worried about anything. 

[Lot666]

Posted: 1/13/23 at 8:30am

A number of seats have become available in the front mezzanine. A very nice lady at Telecharge helped me move our left rear mezz seats to center front mezz, smack in the middle of row B!

[Phantour]

Posted: 1/13/23 at 8:31am

For those still hoping to get a ticket for this performance, a block of tickets opened up on Telecharge in front and rear mezzanine. Price ranges from $165.50-$244, which isn't too bad if you compare it to the rear orchestra seats they were selling for it a couple weeks ago at $400+! 

[Lot666]

Posted: 1/13/23 at 8:34am

There are a few newly-available seats for the April 15th 8pm performance, too...and most are $718!!! 

Updated On: 1/13/23 at 08:34 AM

[Phantour]

Posted: 1/13/23 at 8:34am

Lot666 said: "A number of seats have become available in the front mezzanine. A very nice lady at Telecharge helped me move our left rear mezz seats to center front mezz, smack in the middle of row B!"

Looks like we posted almost the same thing at the same time. Can you exchange your seats for better ones if you pay the difference? I didn't know that was an option! 

[Lot666]

Posted: 1/13/23 at 8:41am

Phantour said: "Can you exchange your seats for better ones if you pay the difference? I didn't know that was an option!"

Officially, no, but Telecharge is decidedly more customer service-oriented than Ticketmaster, et al. If you call and ask nicely, they will almost always do it (sometimes with a grumble, sometimes with a smile). The phone wait time has been VERY long lately (I was on hold for almost 90 minutes before I got an agent). I politely and concisely (they are all about quick transactions) explained that I had seats which I'd like to upgrade to better ones and pay the difference, if that would be possible. Some agents will tell you to book your new seats and then give them the new order number, after which they will cancel the original order; others will cancel the original order and book the new seats for you.
 

Updated On: 1/13/23 at 08:41 AM

[sbflyfan]

Posted: 1/13/23 at 11:38am

Oh wow... thank you for the amazing tip!!  I just moved to the center of row C.  Turn around and say hello, Lot666!   

[Lot666]

Posted: 1/13/23 at 2:56pm

sbflyfan said: "Oh wow... thank you for the amazing tip!! I just moved to the center of row C. Turn around and say hello, Lot666! "

That's great - we'll see you there!