B'Way's "Phantom" Celebrates 23 Years
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The Specter of the Paris Opera House turns 23.
Fans lucky enough to be in the audience for the Wednesday matinee of "The Phantom of the Opera" were treated to a 23rd anniversary celebration.
The show debuted in 1988 and has won seven Tony Awards while on its way to becoming Broadway's longest running musical.
The show's major players say the fans are the secret to their success.
"People come to this theater and lose themselves in another world," said "Phantom" Director Harold Prince.
"The fans have been bringing their children, and in some cases their grandchildren, back to the show. It's kind of mind boggling," said Actor Hugh Panaro.
"There's so much mystery to it. There's so much magic to it. The first time I ever rode in the boat through the fog, I actually laughed out loud at myself. I was like 'look at me.' I saw the pictures growing up, I looked at the pictures now I'm in the boat," said Actor Sara Jean Ford.
Wednesday marked the show's 9,566th and 9,567th performances.