The Phantom of the Opera debuted in 1986 and is the longest running show in Broadway history.
Click Here to Buy Phantom of the Opera Theater TicketsWritten by Andrew Lloyd Webber, it has played to over 100 million people in 113 cities around the world since it opened. The musical is set to the lyrics of Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe, with Lloyd Webber's own musical score. Rumor has it that Lloyd Webber wrote the music for the voice of his then-wife Sarah Brightman. She played the lead in the original cast, Christine, and had performed in a number of other Webber musicals, including Cats and Requiem. Over 10 million people have seen the production in New York City alone, with its over 18-year run. Today it is performed at Majestic Theatre.
Phantom of the Opera tells the story of a young singer who is seduced by a specter that has been haunting the Paris Opera. The singer, Christine, gets her big chance on stage when the regular prima donna soprano refused to go on because of the strange happenings at the opera house. The phantom declares his love for Christine, who is involved with a childhood friend. The two fight for her affection. Christine learns the phantom's horrible secret and turns away from his tutelage.