THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Plays 11,000th Performance on Broadway!

Producers Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Group announced today that the longest-running show in Broadway history, Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, directed by Harold Prince, has again made theater history, reaching the unprecedented milestone of 11,000 performances. A feat achieved by no other Broadway show, the 11,000th performance took place Monday evening, July 7.

The historic milestone will be celebrated tonight, Tuesday, July 8 with a special post-show presentation led by the musical's rapturously-received current stars Tony Award nominee Norm Lewis and Broadway and West End star Sierra Boggess. They will be joined on stage by the entire cast at The Majestic Theatre (247 West 44th Street), the musical's home for more than 26 record-breaking years.

With considerable fanfare, Mr. Lewis and Ms. Boggess joined the New York production on Monday, May 12. On that date, Mr. Lewis, who most recently triumphed earning a Tony Award nomination as Porgy in The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, made history and national headlines by becoming the first African-American performer to star as The Phantom in the New York production. (In 1990, Tony Award nominee Robert Guillaume became the first when he succeeded original star Michael Crawford in the Los Angeles production.) To great fan delight, Ms. Boggess returned to the New York production, having received tremendous acclaim starring as Christine Daaé in both the musical's London 25th Anniversary production at Royal Albert Hall and the Broadway 25th Anniversary cast last year.

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 - $137 with Premium Tickets also available. To order tickets, visit www.Telecharge.com or call (212) 239-6200.

Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy