The Phantom of the Opera (Musical)

The Phantom of the Opera is based on the classic novel The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux. It tells the story of a mysterious, disfigured, masked figure who terrorizes a Paris Opera House. When he becomes obsessed with the young soprano Christine, he devotes all of his devious methods to develop her talent and make her a star.

Fast Facts

1. Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber
2. Lyrics: Charles Hart with additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe
3. Directed by Hal Prince
4. Choreographed by Gillian Lynne
5. Opened at Her Majesty's Theatre in London on October 9, 1986, where it celebrated its 21st anniversary on October 9, 2007
6. Original cast included Michael Crawford (the Phantom), Sarah Brightman (Christine), and Steve Barton (Raoul), all of whom reprised their roles in the Broadway production at the Majestic Theatre
7. First Broadway show ever to reach 8,000 performances
8. Tony Award winner for Best Musical
9. Film adaptation released in 2004

Characters

1. Erik, The Phantom of the Opera (tenor/baritone): Facially deformed since birth, the Phantom is a genius composer and musician who hides behind a white mask and lives beneath the Opera House
2. Christine Daaé (soprano): Swedish chorus girl at the Opéra Populaire, and the daughter of a prominent violinist
3. Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny (baritone/tenor): Patron of the Opéra Populaire and childhood sweetheart of Christine
4. Carlotta Giudicelli (soprano): Opéra's leading diva who becomes jealous of Christine
5. Madame Giry (mezzo-soprano): Opéra's ballet mistress, and the Phantom's "spokeswoman"
6. Meg Giry (mezzo-soprano) — Madame Giry's daughter, a member of the ballet chorus, and Christine's best friend
7. Monsieur Richard Firmin (baritone): Grouchy manager of the Opéra Populaire
8. Monsieur Gilles André (baritone): Flighty manager of the Opéra Populaire
9. Ubaldo Piangi (tenor): Opéra's lead tenor; Carlotta Giudicelli's husband
10. Joseph Buquet (baritone/bass): Opéra's chief stagehand; knows something of the Phantom's identity
11. Monsieur Reyer (spoken role): Opéra's chief director
12. Monsieur Lefèvre (spoken role): Previous owner of the Opéra Populaire

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