The Phantom of the Opera
By Fletcher Semones
Interesting Facts
1. The box-office revenues are higher than any other film or stage play in history – including Titanic, ET and Star Wars.
2.The Phantom of the Opera has been produced in 151 cities, in 30 countries around the world, including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, England, Germany, Holland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand and The United States.
3.‘Learn to Be Lonely’, a new song written for the movie, was nominated for Best Original Song at the 2005 Oscars. Beyonce performed the song at the ceremony.
4.Each performance has 230 costumes, 14 dressers, 120 automated cues, 22 scene changes, 281 candles and uses 250 kg of dry ice and 10 fog and smoke machines.
5.The cast album has gone platinum in the US 6 times, twice platinum in the UK, 9 times platinum in German, 4 times platinum in the Netherlands, 11 times platinum in Korea and 31 times platinum in Taiwan.
6.It is estimated that Phantom has been seen by more than 130 million people, and the total worldwide gross is now in excess of $5.6 billion.
7.The Phantom of the Opera opened at Her Majesty’s Theatre, London on 27th September 1986, so is 1988
8.The show has won over 70 major theatre awards including three Olivier Awards, the most recent being the 2002 Oliver Audience Award for Most Popular Show, an Evening Standard Award, seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, seven Drama Desk Awards and three Outer Critic Circle Awards.
Actors
The Phantom Hugh Panaro
Christine Daae Mary Micheal Patterson
Raoul Jeremy Hayes
Carlotta Michele McConnell
Madame Giry Ellen Harvey
Monsieur Andre Laird Mackintosh
Meg Giry Kara Klein
Monsieur Firmin Timothy Jerome
Piangi Christian Sebek
Monsieur Reyer Jim Weitzer
Awards
1988 NEW YORK – Tony Awards
- Best Musical
- Leading Actor in a Musical – Michael Crawford
- Featured Actress in a Musical – Judy Kaye (Carlotta)
- Director (Musical) - Hal Prince
- Set Designer - Maria Bjornson
- Costume Designer - Maria Bjornson
- Lighting Designer - Andrew Bridge