THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Announces New Contest 'The Art of the Mask'

Producers Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Group announced today an extensive multi-tiered art contest in connection with the longest-running show in Broadway history, Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, directed by Harold Prince.

PHANTOM: THE ART OF THE MASK invites the musical's "Phans" and all artists across the country to submit original artwork on a template of the legendary Phantom's mask. Designed by the late Tony Award-winning designer Maria Björnson, the mask has become one of the most iconic images in Broadway history. The contest will culminate in an exhibit at the PHANTOM Art Gallery and Pop-Up Shop, which will open on the ground floor of The Paramount Hotel (235 West 46th Street), just one block from the musical's stage door at The Majestic Theatre.

The first phase of the contest will feature artists registering on the PHANTOM Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/PhantomBroadway) and submitting a two-dimensional design on the template of the mask provided by the production. Artists are encouraged to design whatever inspires them and aren't limited to designs based on the show itself. 26 winners (in honor of the New York production's record-breaking 26 Years) will then each have the chance to recreate their designs on a three-dimensional replica mask that will be sent out to them by the production.

Once submitted, all 26 masks will be displayed at the special PHANTOM Art Gallery and Pop-Up Shop at the Paramount Hotel at the end of October. Of the initial 26 winners, five will be selected as Grand Prize winners by members of the cast and creative team in early October.

The initial 26 winners will be awarded a souvenir brochure of the musical and a winner's certificate. In addition to the brochure and certificate, the five Grand Prize winners will also receive a voucher for a pair of tickets to the show and a photo of their mask with cast members.

Representing the production's ongoing commitment to the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, all 26 masks will be auctioned off to benefit the non-profit fundraising organization. Since the musical's opening, the New York Company of PHANTOM has proudly raised $5.5 million for BCEFA.

Complete contest details for PHANTOM: THE ART OF THE MASK are: Beginning today, Monday, July 28, users can log on to the PHANTOM Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/PhantomBroadway) to download a template of the Phantom mask, on which they will create their art. Users can upload submissions through Sunday, August 24. 26 winning designs will be chosen based on the number of "likes" the submission receives by the voting deadline of Sunday, August 31. Winners will be announced the week of September 1. These 26 winners will be mailed a three-dimensional replica of the PHANTOM mask in, on which to bring their designs to life. All masks must be returned by Friday, September 26 for final judging consideration and display. Five Grand Prize winners will be announced in early October.

The masks will be on display at the end of October at the Phantom Art Gallery and Pop-Up Shop, located on the ground /street level of New York's Paramount Hotel. In addition to the masks being on display, the gallery will feature costumes, information on the history of the PHANTOM mask, and limited edition merchandise. Throughout this time, the fan-designed masks will also be auctioned off via a silent and online auction to benefit Broadway Cares/EFA.

Eligibility: PHANTOM: THE ART OF THE MASK Contest (the "Contest") is open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States (including District of Columbia) who are at least eighteen (18) years old and the age of majority in their state of residence at the time of entry. Void in Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and other U.S. territories and possessions and where prohibited, taxed or restricted by law. Employees, officers, directors and consultants of Serino Coyne, LLC, Omnicom Group, Inc., Cameron Mackintosh, Inc. and Foresight Theatricals or any of their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising agencies, or any other company or individual involved with the design, production execution or distribution of the Contest and their immediate family (spouse, parents and step-parents, siblings and step-siblings, and children and step-children) and household members (people who share the same residence at least three (3) months out of the year) of each such employee, officer, director or consultant are not eligible. The Contest is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. Participation constitutes entrant's full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules and Sponsor's decisions, which are final and binding in all matters related to the Contest. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.

The longest-running show in Broadway history and the most successful stage production of all-time, PHANTOM recently reached milestone New York performance #11,000 - an unprecedented feat achieved by no other Broadway show. The New York production has played to more than 16 million people at The Majestic Theatre (247 West 44th Street), the musical's home for more than 26 record-breaking years.

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 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.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is produced by Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Group, 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 design by Mick Potter with original sound by Martin Levan. Musical staging and choreography is by Gillian Lynne. Orchestrations are by David Cullen and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA currently stars Norm Lewis in the title role with Sierra Boggess as Christine and Jeremy Hays as Raoul. The musical co-stars Laird Mackintosh (Monsieur André), Tim Jerome (Monsieur Firmin), Michele McConnell (Carlotta), Cristin J. Hubbard (Madame Giry), Christian Šebek (Piangi) and Polly Baird (Meg Giry). At certain performances, Mary Michael Patterson plays Christine.

The performance schedule for The Phantom of the Opera is Monday evenings at 8, Tuesday evenings at 7, Wednesday through Saturday evenings at 8, with matinees on Thursdays and Saturdays at 2. Ticket prices range from $27 - $142 with Premium Tickets also available. To order tickets, visit www.Telecharge.com or call (212) 239-6200.

Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy