TORONTO'S LONGEST-RUNNING MUSICAL RETURNS

Andrew Lloyd Webber's International Award-Winning Musical
The Phantom of the Opera
Directed by Harold Prince
 
Strictly Limited Engagement
Begins February 21, 2007
at The Princess of Wales Theatre
 
Tickets on sale Monday, October 23rd at 9:00AM

 
The U.S. National Touring Company of The Phantom of the Opera is making its Toronto premiere in the show's new home at The Princess of Wales Theatre.   The first Canadian production opened in 1989 and played a record-setting 10 years at the Pantages Theatre (now the Canon Theatre) becoming the longest-running musical in Toronto history.  The production garnered 6 Dora Mavor Moore Awards including Outstanding Musical.
 
With worldwide box office sales of over $3 billion, The Phantom of the Opera is the most successful entertainment venture of the twentieth century, surpassing such blockbuster films as Titanic, E.T., and Star Wars. The winner of seven Tony® Awards, including Best Musical, The Phantom of the Opera has been seen by over 80 million people in 119 cities in 24 countries.  Worldwide, The Phantom of the Opera consistently plays to larger audiences and in longer engagements than any other musical in history. On January 9, 2006, The Phantom of the Opera became the longest-running show in Broadway history surpassing Cats' record-holding run of 7,485 performances. The show then celebrated its eighteenth anniversary on Broadway January 26, 2006.
 
Based on the classic novel Le Fantôme de l'Opéra by Gaston Leroux, The Phantom of the Opera tells the story of a masked figure who lurks in the catacombs beneath the Paris Opera, exercising a reign of terror over all who work there.  He falls madly in love with an innocent young soprano, Christine, and devotes himself to creating a new star by nurturing her extraordinary talents and employing all of the devious methods at his command to promote her career.
 
The Phantom of the Opera had its world premiere on October 9, 1986, at Her Majesty's Theatre in London, winning every major British theatre award including the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards.  The New York production opened on January 26, 1988, with a then-record advance of $18 million. The musical went on to sweep the 1988 Tony Awards, winning seven, including Best Musical.  The Phantom of the Opera also won seven Drama Desk Awards and three Outer Critics' Circle Awards.  The original London cast recording was the first in British musical history to enter the charts at number one.  It has since gone both gold and platinum in Britain and the United States, selling over 25 million copies.

The Phantom of the Opera begins performances at The Princess of Wales Theatre Wednesday, February 21, 2007.
 

Performances are:
 
February 21-25: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday evenings 8:00 PM;
Sunday evening (opening night) 6:30 PM; Thursday (2/22), Saturday and Sunday matinees 2:00 PM.
 
Beginning February 27: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday evenings 8:00 PM;
Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday matinees 2:00 PM.
 
Ticket prices range from $26.50 to $106.50 (plus applicable fees and service charges)
and go on sale Monday, October 23, at 9:00 PM
at the Princess of Wales box office at 300 King Street West,
online at www.mirvish.com or by telephone at:  416-872-1212 or toll-free 1-800-461-3333.
 
Group orders (20 or more) may be placed by calling 416-593-4142 or toll-free 1-800-724-6420

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