Good days to be a Majestic Theater groupie.Ħ.

Only the understudies have rehearsals, two days a week on Tuesday and Thursday. So much is packed into each production, although you almost forget that fact thanks to the quick pace, smooth transitions and expertise of the actors. Leads don’t rehearse: These long time Phantom veterans have their roles down cold, which is blissfully evident from your seat in the audience. It must be working, you can tell they’re having fun when they’re on stage.ĥ. Occasional mixers keep the group close and help integrate newcomers into the circle. On a Saturday night performance, if you’re at the theater at the right time, you may hear “Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!' over the PA. Cast pranks keep it fun: After so many productions, to keep things fun and morale up, the cast is known to play pranks on each other. Who could ask for more from an evening’s entertainment: powerful love story, awesome musical, hi-tech production and humor?Ĥ. You’ll laugh at times: This haunting drama, which can even be macabre at times, also sprinkles in humor, most notably provided by the new owners of the Opera House. Five minutes before curtain they blast the stereo and rock out.ģ. After the show I spoke with Jeremy Stolle, who plays Passarino, and he gave me the inside scoop on how the cast gets pumped for each performance. Last minute cast prep is a jam session: Don’t be surprised if you hear strains of music wafting from backstage just before the curtain goes up. Now 23 years, and nearly 10,000 shows later, it retains the honor and has become a New York City destination in its own right.Ģ. The Phantom of the Opera is Broadway’s longest running show: It surpassed Cats for those bragging rights back in January, 2006, 18 years, almost to the day, after opening at the Majestic Theatre. If you’re one of the uninitiated, as I was until recently, then here are some teasers to whet your appetite. Although knowing that, and seeing it come to life on Broadway, are two completely different things.Įxperiencing Phantom in all of its glory at the Majestic Theater in New York far exceeds anything you may have imagined.

Phantom of the opera costume mask