Photo: Bruce Glikas/Getty
Broadway’s longest-running showThe Phantom of the Operais delaying its closure and adding more shows after increased ticket sales.
In September, theAndrew Lloyd Webbermusicalannounced that it would have its final showon Saturday, Feb. 18, at the Majestic Theatre after marking a 35th anniversary celebration on Jan. 26. However, on Tuesday, the showconfirmedit’ll now continue through Sunday, April 16.
Phantom’s producer Cameron MackintoshtoldThe New York Timesthat the decision to extend eight more weeks is because of increased ticket sales after announcing its final bow, which came because of pandemic-affected lows.
“For most of last year, we were losing every week. There comes a point when you become theatrical wallpaper. People took it for granted that it’s going to run forever,” Mackintosh said, adding, “What a phenomenal response there has been to the show ending. We’ve sold out virtually everything that we have on sale.”
Mackintosh said, “The reason it is sold out is because it’s coming off, absolutely. We know that one of the reasons that it’s doing it is because this is your last chance to see the great show.”
Matthew Murphy
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The producer clarified that there won’t be anymore extensions forPhantom. But, said Mackintosh, “it’s not like the show is going anywhere — the show will be done and is being done all over the world, and I’m sure it will come back to America and we’ll do a tour in the future.”
Kouatchou, who is the the first Black actress to play the lead role of Christine Daaé on Broadway, spoketo PEOPLEin December about the bittersweet victory of her casting last year: “It frustrates me that it took this long, it does. I’m honored that it’s me, and I’m honored that I’m making history, but I’m really excited for when it’s not even a question, it’s not even a thing, the first Black Christine.”
The final block of tickets forThe Phantom of the Operago on sale Wednesday at 10 a.m. ET. Tickets for the final performance will not yet be available, with more details to come.
source: people.com
