Quality control by producer Cameron Mackintosh demands that each production live up to the highest standard thus assuring audiences that of worthy entertainment. I believe Phantom survives because of a combination of a hauntingly beautiful score sung well by the entire cast encased in fantastic sets, costumes, lights, sounds, falling chandeliers and pyrotechnics presented in a breathtakingly illuminating showcase. Now 26 years old on Broadway, winner of seven Tony Awards (including Best Musical), Phantom is the longest-running show ever on Broadway passing Cats record of 7,486 performances on January 9, 2006- Phantom has played to over 10,800 and counting!

With worldwide box office sales of over $5.6 billion (the highest in history) Phantom is the most successful venture of the 20 th Century, surpassing such blockbuster films as Titanic, E. I enjoyed this production I wasn’t alone the opening night audience gave it a roaring standing ovation that was amazing since it was playing Chicago for the seventh time! Worldwide, over 130 million people have see Phantom of the Opera in the more than 90,000 performances there are currently 6 productions running worldwide. The Phantom of the Opera overwhelmed me once again with its stagecraft, its melodic score and its wonderful singing. This current Phantom, now playing at the Palace Theatre in Chicago sure does justice to the material. But produced Cameron Mackintosh makes sure that he keeps Phantom fresh with new young voices and here he has invested in an impressive large set that adds a heighten degree of emotion to the fabled highly operatic and totally romantic operetta.

When a show has been touring around the world for decades it has a tendency to get shopworn.

It is refreshing to see that a young generation of players have embraced this show as evidence to the respect shown by this youthful cast. Stunning new staging and an impressive multilevel set plus new young voices give this spirited National tour of the Phantom of the Opera a sweeping panorama. Book by Richard Stilgoe & Andrew Lloyd Webber

Phantom of the opera tour