The Phantom of the Opera Ages Gracefully
Perhaps it was a bittersweet moment, when Andrew Lloyd Webber realized that his Phantom of the Opera stage musical was aging. After all, The Lion King just usurped Phantom’s title as the Broadway’s “All Time Highest Grossing Show”, making $853,846,062 since its debut in 1997. Phantom on the other hand, has been playing steadily since 1986. And while crowds still clamor to see the legendary chandelier and masquerade party, the popular Phantom movie (directed by Joel Schumacher) may have stilted the enthusiasm for the once, unique and groundbreaking production.
Nonetheless, Andrew Lloyd Webber is still updating his classic, keeping it relevant and a distinctive part of British-American pop culture. Why, just look at his Love Never Dies project, a sequel to the original stage play. While there have been no plans to release a film, there is a Blu-Ray release coming May 29th to home video. Universal Studios Home Entertainment is releasing a televised performance of an Australian production of Tomorrow Never Dies filmed in Melbourne. Viewers can expect a front row seat in their own home, as well as hi-definition picture and sound.
The live production actually had a limited run in London but received mixed reviews. For a time the project was halted. However, the good news is that interest in the Blu-Ray release may spark enthusiasm from Broadway. So there is a good chance Phantom and its sequel may be coming to New York.
The original Phantom, meanwhile, is still touring across the U.S. and in Las Vegas, in an abbreviated musical show. It’s nice to know that even if you miss the show coming to your home city, you can still drive out to Vegas and catch a live performance, with plenty of amazing visuals and effects. In fact, the production, new and familiar in its own right, was recently named as “”the #1 rated show in Vegas” by the Las Vegas Review Journal. Make plans to come see Phantom…so you’ll be ready to see the sequel when it inevitably comes to Broadway! Nothing is finalized yet…but how could producers possibly deprive American audiences of learning the final fate of Phantom and Christine?
Categorized in: Theater