'Phantom' Ballerinas in Special 2008 BC/EFA Calendar

The Broadway production of The Phantom of the Opera is releasing a special, limited-edition 2008 wall calendar titled "The Adventures of the Phantom Ballerinas," beginning Thursday, November 1.  As of that date, the collectible calendar will be available for sale through the Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) online store (www.broadwaycares.org).  The calendar is also available to patrons attending the musical at The Majestic Theatre (247 West 44th Street).

"An alternately beautiful and wryly funny photo essay featuring the Broadway Company's current corps de ballet, the lavishly-illustrated calendar follows the fictional tale of the ballerinas sneaking out of The Majestic to embark on a colorful sightseeing tour of New York City.  Each of the 12 months has the ballerinas visiting a different New York locale, including such tourist-friendly landmarks as the Metropolitan Museum of Arts, Shea Stadium, Lincoln Center, the Empire State Building and Central Park, all shot on location.  The ballerinas are also featured in their show costumes as designed by the late Maria Björnson, who won two 1988 Tony Awards for her Phantom costume and set designs," explain press notes.

Featuring luscious photography by Andrew Nelson and based on an idea by Phantom dance captain Harriet Clark, the calendar is produced by cast members Harriet Clark, Kara Klein, Gianna Loungway, Mabel Modrono, Carly Blake Sebouhian, Jessica Radetsky and Dianna Warren.  All seven of the ladies are featured in the photos, as are principals Heather McFadden (as ballerina Meg Giry) and Marilyn Caskey (as Madame Giry in a deliciously hilarious guest appearance).

The 2008 Phantom Calendar is sponsored by Barker Steel Co. Inc., B and R Rebar and The Cooper Family Foundation.  "The Adventures of the Phantom Ballerinas" costs $20 with all proceeds benefiting BC/EFA.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is the nation's leading industry-based, not-for-profit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organization.  BC/EFA is the ongoing committed response from the American theater community to an urgent worldwide health crisis.  By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of this community, BC/EFA raises funds for AIDS-related causes across the United States.  Since it's funding in 1988, BC/EFA has raised over $140 million for critically-needed services for people living with AIDS, HIV or HIV-related illnesses.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, directed by theater legend Harold Prince and produced by Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Company, Inc., is the most successful stage musical of all time, with worldwide ticket sales exceeding $3.2 billion (far surpassing the highest-grossing film of all time, Titanic, which has grossed $1.2 billion worldwide).  The Phantom of the Opera is also the longest-running show in Broadway history, a feat it achieved on January 9, 2006, when it played performance #7,486, surpassing the then-record run of Cats.

The winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, the New York production has been seen by 11.5 million people and grossed over $665 million.  At over 8,200 performances and counting, the New York production will become the first show in Broadway history to celebrate its milestone 20th Anniversary on January 26, 2008.

"Based on the classic novel by Gaston Leroux, The Phantom of the Opera tells the story of a masked figure who lurks beneath the catacombs of the Paris Opera House, exercising a reign of terror over all who inhabit it.  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 by employing all of the devious methods at his command," explain press notes.

The Broadway cast features Howard McGillin (The Phantom), Jennifer Hope Wills (Christine), Tim Martin Gleason (Raoul), George Lee Andrews (Monsieur André), David Cryer (Monsieur Firmin), Marilyn Caskey (Madame Giry), Wayne Hobbs (Piangi), Heather McFadden (Meg Giry) and Julie Hanson (Christine at certain performances).  Having donned the mask in over 2,000 performances, current leading man Howard McGillin has played the title role more than any other performer on Broadway.

The Phantom of the Opera has music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and is directed by Harold Prince.  Lyrics are by Charles Hart (with additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe) and the book is by Richard Stilgoe and Andrew Lloyd Webber.  The Phantom of the Opera has production design by the late Maria Björnson, lighting by Andrew Bridge and sound by Martin Levan.  Musical staging and choreography is by Gillian Lynne.  Orchestrations are by David Cullen and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

The performance schedule for The Phantom of the Opera is Monday evenings at 8 PM, Tuesday evenings at 7PM, Wednesday through Saturday evenings at 8 PM, with matinees on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2 PM.  Ticket prices range from $25 - $110.  To order tickets visit telecharge.com or call (212) 239-6200.

For complete information on the Broadway and worldwide productions, visit the official website at www.thephantomoftheopera.com.

Photo Credit: Andrew Nelson

From the Broadway Cast of The Phantom of the Opera, members of the corp de ballets photographed at The Met