On January 26, 1988, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera took its first bow on Broadway, marking the beginning of a theatrical phenomenon. The show quickly enchanted audiences with its haunting love story, mesmerizing score, and lavish production design. Based on Gaston Leroux’s novel, Phantom follows the mysterious figure haunting the Paris Opera House and his obsession with a young soprano, Christine.

The musical’s success was immediate, but its legacy has been unprecedented. It has since become the longest-running show in Broadway history, with nearly 11,000 performances to date. Phantom has been seen by millions of fans across the globe and continues to draw new audiences with its timeless allure. Its enduring appeal, coupled with Webber’s iconic music, has solidified Phantom as one of the most beloved and successful musicals of all time, ensuring its place in theater history.