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THEATRICAL THROWBACK THURSDAY: THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Turns 27

By: Jan. 29, 2015
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Today we celebrate 27th birthday of the longest-running show in Broadway history, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.

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27 years. It is staggering to consider the myriad of attributes that have made Andrew Lloyd Webber's unforgettable gothic musical THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA the most successful entertainment of all time, now in its 27th year onstage on the Great White Way this week as of January 26, where it is the reigning longest running production of all time. Then again, the gargantuan excitement generated by and the subsequent enthusiastic reception enjoyed by the mega-musical for audiences worldwide since its inception decades ago was and is simply unprecedented. It is a hit like no other - and a fiercely idiosyncratic musical with a unique history all its own, as well.

Even the most sage observer or theatrical enthusiast would have never assumed that the strange, operatic and intentionally campy musical project being created by world renowned composer Andrew Lloyd Webber in the mid-1980s would turn out to be the most successful entertainment of all time - honestly, it would have been difficult to find anybody at all who would have rightly evaluated its hit potential at the time, even given its familiar and famous source material. Although the swirling, ingratiating melodies along with the absorbingly romantic and dramatic thematic allure evident in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA as it now exists in its final finished form were quite evident way back in the very first iteration of the show when presented by Lloyd Webber at his Sydmonton estate in workshop form, those who were first exposed to the property through the promo radio single of the title song performed by well-coiffed British rocker Steve Harley and Lloyd Webber's muse and wife Sarah Brightman may not have assumed the score would possess the magic, majesty and grandiosity that it amply displays just judging from that strange first foray. To the contrary.

Still hard at work on another show in collaboration with lyricist Richard Stilgoe, STARLIGHT EXPRESS, Lloyd Webber fashioned a disco-tinged pop confection to hopefully bring early audience interest and attention to his new musical via "The Phantom Of The Opera" single, complete with propulsive dance beat, electric guitars, slick production polish and some flourishes all too familiar to fans of 1980s cheese. Nevertheless, the unmistakable allure was clear to hear in the hit song and it became a notable entry on the charts soon after its release, giving an early hint as to the hit the creators had on their hands. Of course, since this was the 1980s, Lloyd Webber then pursued producing a music video to further promote the song, and, aiming for the top tier, the master composer therefore sought one of the most daring and opulent directors in theatre, opera or film, Ken Russell, who then lensed an over the top clip to give a visual accompaniment to the pop hit and introduce the world to THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA to the public at large - though what resulted was something else altogether. Thus, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA was born - though not quite as it would eventually end up onstage in its final finished form. A solid gold mask, slithering snakes, a smoky underground lair and more hairspray than HAIRSPRAY contributed to create a camp classic of a music video, complete with Steve Harley bringing an anomalous rock snarl and swagger to his Phantom while Brightman showed the world she was more than just a Hot Gossip pop tart and CATS chorus girl - and how! Indeed, this was the way that the property was first introduced, but it was not until the ideal leading man was found that PHANTOM began to firmly claim its stake in theatrical iconography - and it just so happens that his very own birthday would arrive less than a week before opening night on Broadway.

Placed in the vaunted hands and vocal cords of original show stars Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman, Andrew Lloyd Webber's rapturous, rich and enveloping score was brought to new heights by Crawford's participation and palpable chemistry with his leading lady, further buoyed by the visually and dramatically resplendent direction by musical master Hal Prince, with all the elements combining to create something truly and strikingly anomalous. Bringing together an impressive and inspired assortment of genres in creating the quintessential pop opera, Lloyd Webber inventively employs elements of grand opera, opera bouffe, operetta and musical theatre, as well as incorporates a diverse range of musical styles in his score - even a little heavy metal guitar and a disco beat in the title song. Similarly, the stage production itself presents high opera, intimate drama, passionate romance, horrifying stage tricks and mesmerizing spectacle all contributing to create something somehow even greater than the sum of its parts - as is the case with many masterpieces, particularly in the theatrical realm. Theatre is a collaborative form, after all. Nonetheless, there is no doubting that THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is not only a masterpiece of the form, but one of the finest examples of a musical that works for all of the right reasons - both onstage as a dramatic piece and in the hearts, ears and minds of the audience members fortunate enough to experience it, as well.

So, now, let's look back at THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA in honor of its 27th birthday with Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman in the music video for "The Music Of The Night".

What is your fondest PHANTOM-related memory from its 27 years on Broadway? What was your very first time seeing it? Furthermore, who is your absolute favorite Phantom so far? With a role this memorable in a show this special, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is destined to run for many more years to come, both on Broadway and far beyond - maybe even a whole 27 more, actually, at this rate. To crib a phrase from score standout "Angel Of Music", producers around the world are certainly desperate to know the precise secret to its success - truly, it is perfect.

Photo Credit: Dewynters




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