The Phantom of the Opera’s nearly 35-year run will come to an end this weekend as the chandelier falls for the final time at the Majestic Theatre.
The musical sensation is the longest-running show in Broadway history. Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber debuted his play on Broadway back in 1988.
The show has won seven Tony awards including Best Musical the year it opened in America.
Mayor Eric Adams gifted Webber a key to New York City to honor the famed composer’s contributions to Broadway.
“Since you unlocked our hearts, we want to give you this key to the greatest city on the globe, New York City, to hang up there with many of the great honors you receive, just thank you so much,” Adams said. “We are looking atreally the greatest of all time. A true true contributor to Broadway and he keep the lights on in our hearts as we keeps the lights on on Broadway.”
“I felt very much a part of the community even though I am British, but I still feel this is the home of musicals and where I want to be, so I’d just like to say thank you, thank you, very, very much. It’s something that means a great deal to me,” Webber said.
Nearly two million people have seen the show — one of the world’s most famous musicals — and it has grossed $1.3 billion.
Webber is considered by many to be one of the most successful composer in the history of musical theater with 23 Tony Award nominations and six wins.
He won an Oscar in 1996 for “You Must Love Me” from Evita and has over a dozen Grammy Award nominations and three wins.
Nearly two million people have seen the show — one of the world’s most famous musicals — and it has grossed $1.3 billion.
Webber is considered by many to be one of the most successful composer in the history of musical theater with 23 Tony Award nominations and six wins.
He won an Oscar in 1996 for “You Must Love Me” from Evita and has over a dozen Grammy Award nominations and three wins.
Webber’s 2018 Emmy win as Executive Producer for Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert made him one of just 16 people to have achieved EGOT status.
That same year he was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Tony.
Webber is currently in the process of composing the anthem for the Coronation of King Charles III.
SOURCE: abc7ny.com
