Peter Jöback as The Phantom (Photo: Matthew Murphy)
It’s a week full of theatrical festivities as the longest-running show in Broadway history, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera, directed by Harold Prince, celebrates its 30th anniversary. This unprecedented milestone is a feat achieved by no other Broadway show and will feature partnerships with Twitter, the Empire State Building and the non-profit Musicians on Call, among other events.
The Phantom of the Opera enters its fourth decade having played 12,500 performances to 18 million people at The Majestic Theatre and having grossed more than $1.1 billion. Phantom has been Broadway’s longest-running show for more than a decade and its astounding longevity in New York and around the world is unprecedented.
Leading the 30th Anniversary cast is international stage star and Platinum-selling Swedish recording artist Peter Jöback. One of Sweden’s most prolific and respected artists, Mr. Jöback has earned rave reviews and ignited the box office for his performance as ‘The Phantom’ in London (2012), New York (2013) and two sold-out engagements in his native Stockholm (2016). Mr. Jöback’s limited return is through Saturday, March 31.
Mr. Jöback stars with Ali Ewoldt as ‘Christine’ and Rodney Ingram as ‘Raoul.’ Ms. Ewoldt made history in June 2016 when she became the first Asian-American actress to play the role of ‘Christine.’ Mr. Ingram, a dual citizen of the United State and Mexico, made headlines in April 2017 when he joined the cast as ‘Raoul.’
Rodney Ingram as Raoul & Ali Ewoldt as Christine in ‘Phantom of the Opera.’ (Photo: Matthew Murphy)
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.
GALA ANNIVERSARY PERFORMANCE
While the anniversary date for the New York premiere is January 26, the 30th Anniversary is being celebrated two days earlier on Wednesday, January 24. The evening will feature a red carpet co-hosted by former ‘Christine’ Sierra Boggess and Imogen Lloyd Webber.The gala performance will feature many from the original creative team as well as alumni cast as surprise guest artists. There will also be an exclusive invitation-only gala party at the Rainbow Room.
‘The Phantom of the Opera’ (Photo: Matthew Murphy via The Broadway Blog.)
EMPIRE STATE BUILDING LIGHT TO MUSIC SHOW
The Phantom of the Opera has partnered with fellow New York City masterpiece the Empire State Building for a spectacular Music-To-Light Show during the Gala party. At 11 p.m., a custom-designed light show by world-renowned lighting designer Marc Brickman will illuminate the tower lights of the iconic building synchronized to a special arrangement of Phantom music.
Not only will the show be fully visible to Gala guests with a clear view from the Rainbow Room, but to all New Yorkers looking up at the “World’s Most Famous Building,” as well as a global audience on Twitter @PhantomBway. Before the Music-to-Light Show, the iconic Empire State Building will be lit in blue and white in honor of the 30th Anniversary.
TWITTER LIVE FEED
To make the evening globally accessible to the public and the musical’s extremely dedicated ‘Phan’ community, Phantom has partnered with Twitter to showcase exclusive live anniversary streaming content at three important parts of the evening.
The Red Carpet, Onstage Presentation and Empire State Building Music-to-Light Show will be streamed live and in their entireties. The public can follow along @PhantomBway.
FRIDAY MORNING: THE TODAY SHOW
On Friday morning, January 26, viewers can tune into the 10 a.m. (EST) hour of NBC’s The Today Show for an exclusive Phantom musical performance by stars Peter Jöback and Ali Ewoldt.
FRIDAY AFTERNOON: MATINEE
Marking the actual date of the 30th Anniversary, a special 2 p.m. matinee is being held on January 26, in addition to the regular 8 p.m. evening performance.