Missing a Phantom on closing night

I always say that if you will be able to watch only one live musical show in your lifetime, you should make it The Phantom of the Opera. This is because Phantom is everything that musical theater should be.

Based on the early 20th century novel by Gaston Leroux, it tells the story of a young soprano who becomes the subject of the obsession of a strange musical genius who lives underneath the Paris Opera House. From there sprung romance laced with mystery, intrigue and even murder.

Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber with lyricists Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe set this tale to music that sweeps the listener into an enchanting experience. Then producer Cameron MacKintosh got director Harold Prince, choreographer Gilliane Lynne and designer Maria Bjornson on board and Phantom embarked on the way to greatness.

Phantom opened in London in October 1986. Then it invaded Broadway on Jan. 26, 1988. It was spectacular theater. We watched and gasped, will that chandelier fall on our heads? We oohed and aahed at the sumptuous, gorgeous sight of Masquerade. We wondered, is there really water on that underground river? And we loved All I Ask of You, Music of the Night, Think of Me and other songs.

Last April 16, after 35 years, Phantom ended its run as Broadway’s longest-running show with almost 14,000 performances and a billion dollars in box-office grosses. The chandelier came down for the last time and  the music box monkey banged his cymbals with finality. New York bowed her head. The city has lost a landmark.

Phantom celebrated the end. The internet was filled with footage of MacKintosh, Webber and some Phantoms and Christines from past shows sing The Music of the Night together. Everything looked festive but sad. More so because, although Sarah Brightman, the original Christine was there, Michael Crawford, who was the first Phantom was not.

Crawford was already a big star in theater (Barnum), films (Hello Dolly) and television (Some Mothers Do ‘ave Em) when he was offered the part. Showbiz lore says that he asked Webber who was praying that Crawford would accept, if the chandelier would come down. Webber said yes and then Crawford also said yes. And a legend was born.

Crawford who is now 81 years old was so unique as the Phantom that he literally stopped the show each time he opened his mouth to sing. Even his movements, his hand gestures  were mesmerizing. His Phantom was evil and crazed but also sympathetic. His singing caressed, cajoled and sowed fear but he has this voice that is both sweet and powerful.

I know, I just checked out his recording of Music of the Night again and I marveled again. Listen for yourselves. See how he ends his hypnotic rendition with that long beautiful note at the end. “It’s over now, the music of the night…” Truly, the Phantom for the ages.

Now, this is not really the end of the road for The Phantom of the Opera. Productions are still running in Australia and London. China is

already excited about a Mandarin version that is set to open next year. Maybe, the Broadway closing was just a way to generate interest in the show that will be back and last again for many years.

I am sure that the Phantom will open again… As MacKintosh himself said, “It is only a matter of time.” All of the great musicals, even the not so great, get revivals when the time is right. Give it a few years and there will surely be a new Phantom on stage.

Then given the many advances in the use of modern technology in theater, I am sure the revival will be even more impressive. Note, too, the abundance of talent from all over the world that will surely be available and dying to be in the show.

Will there be another Michael Crawford? Maybe. Maybe even better Phantoms but they will be only following in his footsteps.