Results: The Phantom of the Opera (the musical)
Published on 11/09/2023
On April 16th, 2023, the stage musical 'The Phantom of the Opera' closed on Broadway. After more than 35 years, it's the longest consecutively running musical in history with close to 14,000 performances there alone. How did this come to be?
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Gaston Leroux - it all started with a French journalist and novel writer. First published in parts as a serial, 'Phantom' was then released as a novel in 1910. It's set in Palais Garnier, an actual opera house in Paris, France. Some of the details of the story are true though used in fictional ways, which inspired Leroux. Familiar with any?
The chandelier - this actually did fall during a performance due to a roof fire, killing one and injuring several.
14%
300 votes
The underground lake - actually a cistern, it does exist, originally used to power hydraulic lifts and a water source for animals.
14%
306 votes
The ghost / phantom - there were tales of a possible entity or person in the place, perhaps tied to the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 - 1871 when the yet finished opera was used as a base and housed prisoners.
14%
318 votes
Not Applicable
70%
1543 votes
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The story - for those not familiar, the tale concerns chorus girl Christine Daae, who becomes the fixation of a mysterious phantom (Erik) hanging about the place. He abducts and trains her for the master work he is writing. Trouble is, Raoul de Chagny has a thing for Christine since childhood days who wonders what's going on. Ever read the novel, seen some adaptation of it?
Yes - read the novel
11%
233 votes
Yes - seen a film adaptation
23%
510 votes
Yes - seen the musical
16%
361 votes
No, N/A
61%
1334 votes
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The musical - enter Andrew Lloyd Webber, already known for 'Cats' and 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'. Teaming with lyric writer Charles Hart, the pair watched the classic film versions and initially thought it impossible until Webber realized he could turn it into a romantic story. Above is a video that was released prior to the show as a sort of teaser. The lyrics are a bit different. That's Sarah Brightman who will end up being Christine, and Steve Harley as the Phantom. To cut to the chase, think it makes the perfect musical, what's your take?
Yes - it is set in an opera house, and watching it live gives one the feeling they are there as the story plays out.
28%
623 votes
No - doesn't really work for me on stage, seems overblown, not into musicals, and so on and so forth.
13%
275 votes
N/A - or not seen it to say.
59%
1302 votes
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Sequel? - there is in fact a musical sequel to Phantom. This was written by British author Frederick Forsyth at the request of Webber, but halted due to feelings he'd be competing with his own musical and others at the time. In 1999, Forsyth published his concept as 'The Phantom of Manhattan'. It wasn't until 2010 it was made into the musical 'Love Never Dies'. The tale continues the Christine / Raul / Erik triangle with the addition of ten year old Gustave. The big number is 'The Beauty Underneath' set at Coney Island when Erik starts to think Gustave may be his son. What do you think...Christine and the Phantom conceiving a kid while below the opera house?
Yes- not totally out of the question if one considers Christine may have been in a trance, (which suggests against her will), or a Beauty and the Beast type scenario.
18%
388 votes
No - I find this a bit far fetched. While she calls the Phantom the 'Angel of Music' at times, she's pretty freaked out once she learns he's not what she thinks.
24%
520 votes
N/A
59%
1292 votes
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