“The Phantom of the Opera” says goodbye to Broadway after 35 years and nearly 14,000 performances. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)

a symbol of Broadway disappears: after 35 years and nearly 14,000 performances“The Phantom of the Opera”, the oldest musical in New York’s famous theater district, finally dropped the curtain on Sunday, a victim of the reduction in spectators after the pandemic.

Sunday's sold-out show was the musical's 13,981st performance.  (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
Sunday’s sold-out show was the musical’s 13,981st performance. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
Emilie Kouatchou, who plays Christine Daae, and John Riddle, who plays Raoul, on the red carpet before the final performance of The Phantom of the Opera.  (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
Emilie Kouatchou, who plays Christine Daae, and John Riddle, who plays Raoul, on the red carpet before the final performance of The Phantom of the Opera. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
Corps de ballet members and cast members greet each other standing on the carpet before the show.  (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
Corps de ballet members and cast members greet each other standing on the carpet before the show. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
Most of the fans were in the front row to enjoy the event.  (REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
Most of the fans were in the front row to enjoy the event. (REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
Meghan Picerno, who previously played Christine Daae, also attended the gala.  (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
Meghan Picerno, who previously played Christine Daae, also attended the gala. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)

In total, of its premiere in New York in 1988, the story of the ghost who lives hidden in the cellars of the Paris Opera and falls in love with the dancer Christine grossed $1.3 billionattracts some 20 million viewers and employs 6,500 people, including 450 actors, according to production estimates.

Some fans were hoping to get last-minute tickets in front of the theater.  (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
Some fans were hoping to get last-minute tickets in front of the theater. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
The ticket for the last performance of "The Phantom of the Opera".  (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
The ticket for the last performance of “The Phantom of the Opera”. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
The spectacular dress that Meghan Picerno wore for the event.  (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
The spectacular dress that Meghan Picerno wore for the event. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
Sarah Brightman, who also played Christine Daae in the play.  (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
Sarah Brightman, who also played Christine Daae in the play. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
Actor and producer, Lin-Manuel Miranda, as he walks the red carpet.  (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
Actor and producer, Lin-Manuel Miranda, as he walks the red carpet. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
Actress Glenn Close was one of the guests at the farewell event for one of Broadway's most famous plays.  (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
Actress Glenn Close was one of the guests at the farewell event for one of Broadway’s most famous plays. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)

Two years after its creation in London, where it is still performed, “The Phantom of the Opera” had become a blockbuster on Broadway with its orchestra and period costumes.

Long lines formed around the theater.  (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
Long lines formed around the theater. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
For decades, fans — or
For decades, fans — or “phans,” as they’re called — have flocked to Broadway for renditions of songs like “Masquerade,” “Angel of Music,” “All I Ask of You” and “The Music of the Night”. . (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
Jordan Dobson and Linedy Genao as they walk the red carpet.  (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
Jordan Dobson and Linedy Genao as they walk the red carpet. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
Based on the 1910 French novel The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux, the gothic romance follows a mysterious and brash man who frequents the Paris Opera and falls in love with young soprano Christine Daaé.  (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
Based on the 1910 French novel The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux, the gothic romance follows a mysterious and brash man who frequents the Paris Opera and falls in love with young soprano Christine Daaé. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
Emilie Kouatchou who played Christine Daae in the last performance of "The Phantom of the Opera".  (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
Emilie Kouatchou who played Christine Daae in the last performance of “The Phantom of the Opera”. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)

The play won seven Tony Awards in 1988, including Best Musical, and became the longest-running show in Broadway history on January 9, 2006.

Rising production costs, which amounted to $950,000 net per week, were also a factor.  Between musicians, actors and technicians, it took about 125 people to run the show.  (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
Rising production costs, which amounted to $950,000 net per week, were also a factor. Between musicians, actors and technicians, it took about 125 people to run the show. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
The play's music producer, Andrew Lloyd Webber, bade farewell from the stage after the performance.  (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
The play’s music producer, Andrew Lloyd Webber, bade farewell from the stage after the performance. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
The hit musical was seen by over 20 million viewers and grossed over $1.3 billion.  (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
The hit musical was seen by over 20 million viewers and grossed over $1.3 billion. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
The protagonists of the play bid farewell after the last show.  (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
The protagonists of the play bid farewell after the last show. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
The announcement that "The Phantom of the Opera" was to be discontinued on Broadway, which spurred demand for tickets as the completion date was pushed back from February to April.  And some wonder if a tour will not be announced.  (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
The announcement that “The Phantom of the Opera” was no longer running on Broadway boosted demand for tickets so much that the completion date was pushed back from February to April. And some wonder if a tour will not be announced. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
Ugly Mackintosh, who replaced Ben Crawford as Ghost in the final performance.  (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
Ugly Mackintosh, who replaced Ben Crawford as Ghost in the final performance. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
Actress Emilie Kouatchou bids farewell on stage after her last performance.  (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
Actress Emilie Kouatchou bids farewell on stage after her last performance. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
The cast members said goodbye after a loud ovation in the theater.  (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
The cast members said goodbye after a loud ovation in the theater. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
From now on, the oldest musical performed in New York will be "Chicago"whose first performance dates from 1996, before "The Lion King".  (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
From now on, the oldest musical performed in New York will be “Chicago”, whose first performance dates back to 1996, ahead of “The Lion King”. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
The audience gave a standing ovation for the final performance of the play.  (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
The audience gave a standing ovation for the final performance of the play. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
The audience cheered enthusiastically as the famous chandelier made its final appearance in the 1,600-seat venue.  (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
The audience cheered enthusiastically as the famous chandelier made its final appearance in the 1,600-seat hall. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
The legendary Phantom of the Opera chandelier was lit for the last time on Broadway.  (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)
The legendary Phantom of the Opera chandelier was lit for the last time on Broadway. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs)

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