The Phantom of the Opera, which on January 9th, broke Broadway records to become the longest-running show in history, will be profiled on the Sunday, January 29th edition of A&E's "Breakfast with the Arts." The show airs from 8:00 though 10:00 AM.
In addition to the Phantom segment, "Breakfast with the Arts" will feature the bandBarenaked Ladies, singer Bryan Adams, author John Berendt and Academy Award-winning animator Nick Park; the centennial celebration of the Juilliard School will also be covered. The show is hosted by Karina Huber.
In addition to breaking the record for longest-running Broadway show, The Phantom of the Opera willbecome the first Broadway production to reach its eighteenth anniversary on January 26th, 2006. 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," according to press notes.
The Phantom of the Opera features music by Lloyd Webber and is directed by Prince. Lyrics are by Charles Hart (with additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe) and the book is by Stilgoe and Lloyd Webber. The musical has production design by the late Maria Björnson, lighting by Andrew Bridge and sound by Martin Levan, with musical staging and choreography by Lynne. Orchestrations are by David Cullen and Lloyd Webber. The Phantom of the Opera had its world premiere on October 9, 1986 at Her Majesty's Theatre in London, winning every major British theatre award including the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards. The New York production, starring London stars Crawford and Sarah Brightman, opened on January 26, 1988. The musical won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
For more information on "Breakfast with the Arts," visit www.aetv.com.