THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Gallery and Pop-Up Shop Opens Today

Producers Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Group announced additional details for the opening of the PHANTOM Art Gallery and Pop-Up Shop, which will be the culminating showcase for the nation-wide 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. The Gallery and Shop will open its doors today, Friday, October 24 at 12 Noon and will be open through Thursday, October 30 (Monday-Saturday, 12pm-8pm; Sunday, 12pm-5pm).

The contest PHANTOM: The Art of the Mask invited 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 scenic and costume designer Maria Björnson, the mask has become one of the most iconic images in Broadway history. The contest is culminating in an exhibit at the PHANTOM Art Gallery and Pop-Up Shop, which will be located on the ground floor, street level of The Paramount Hotel (235 West 46th Street), just one block from the musical's stage door at The Majestic Theatre.

Dedicated exclusively to the record-breaking musical, the Gallery and Pop-Up Shop will feature:

• Exclusive Art Gallery of the 26 winning (and 6 Grand Prize-winning) masks
• Silent Auction to bid on all 26 masks to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fight AIDS
• Costume Displays including those worn by original stars Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman
• Create-Your-Own-Mask station
• Photo Opportunity recreating the Phantom's Lair
• PHANTOM Merchandise available only at the Gallery/Shop
• In-Store Events including a discussion with Associate Costume Designer Sam Fleming (Tuesday, October 28 at 5:30pm) and a Q&A with current cast members (Mary Michael Patterson, Jeremy Hays and Kaley Ann Voorhees) moderated by NY1 News reporter Frank DiLella (Wednesday, October 29 at 5:30pm).

A private opening celebration featuring the Broadway cast and contest winners from across the country, will be held tomorrow evening, tonight, October 24, 5:30-6:30pm.

The PHANTOM: Art of the Mask contest initially featured artists registering on the PHANTOM Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/PhantomBroadway) and submitting a two-dimensional design on the template of the mask. 26 winners (in honor of the New York production's record-breaking 26 Years) - selected by earning the top number of Likes on the PHANTOM Facebook page - were then invited to recreate their designs on a three-dimensional replica mask. Of the 26 winners, six were selected as Grand Prize winners, judged by members of the cast and creative team.

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. Additional original masks submitted by notable artists will also be up for auction. Since the musical's opening, the New York Company of PHANTOM has proudly raised $5.5 million for BC/EFA.

To bid on masks, bidders should visit www.BroadwayCares.com/Phantom. The online auction will be live through Monday, November 3 at 5pm.

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 Mary Michael Patterson as Christine and Jeremy Hays as Raoul. The musical co-stars Laird Mackintosh (Monsieur André), Tim Jerome (Monsieur Firmin), Michele McConnell (Carlotta), Ellen Harvey (Madame Giry), Christian Šebek (Piangi) and Kara Klein (Meg Giry). At certain performances, Kaley Ann Voorhees 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.