royal albert hall phantom of the opera cast

Years later, I returned to the Majestic Theatre to witness the show’s 30 th anniversary on Broadway. Webber has often acknowledged how important the designer’s work was to the musical’s vision, in addition to direction by Harold Prince and choreography by Gillian Lynne. Besides the clunky chandelier, Maria Björnson’s lush scenic design and costumes were as captivating as I had imagined. Of course, the only thing I had to compare it to was the adolescent version in my head. Phantom was on the top of his list, and it was easy enough to secure premium seats at an affordable price, sandwiched between the packed house of international tourists clamoring to see the longest-running musical in Broadway history. Though I listened to those cassettes until the tape wore out, astonishingly, I never saw The Phantom of the Opera until I was well into my 40s and my teenage nephew came to New York City for a visit. Since March 18, The Actors Fund has distributed nearly $5,000,000 to over 3,750 people who work in performing arts and entertainment to help provide emergency financial assistance for those in need.

The Phantom of the Opera raised $400,000. The screenings are also raising money for The Actors Fund. ( Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat have previously aired.) Launched by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment Content Group (UPHE), the channel is sharing free content for viewers in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, including a selection of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musicals. I felt the same kind of surge watching the recent streaming of the epically produced 25th-anniversary production staged in 2011 at London Royal Albert Hall, which appeared for a limited, 48-hour period on the YouTube channel, The Shows Must Go On!

It meant that I could listen to the entire first act of The Phantom of the Opera double cassette, original cast recording without a flip.

The auto-reverse Walkman was a gamechanger for a 1980s musical theater geek staying up way past his bedtime on a school night. Ramin Karimloo in ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ at Royal Albert Hall.

Royal albert hall phantom of the opera cast