Andrew Lloyd Webber appears on stage during the curtain call for performance No. 7,486 of "The Phantom of the Opera" at the Majestic Theatre in New York on Monday, Jan. 9, 2006. "Phantom," which was composed by Webber, became the longest running show in Broadway history with this performance.
Actor Michael Crawford, right, who opened the New York show on Jan. 26, 1988, as the original Phantom of the Opera, said he had never before watched from the audience. "Tonight I felt the time was right, and I was ... very much looking forward to seeing it. And I was in no way disappointed. It was just wonderful."
Gillian Lynne, foreground right, choreographer for "The Phantom of the Opera," speaks to the audience during the curtain call following performance No. 7,486 of "The Phantom of the Opera" at the Majestic Theatre in New York on Monday, Jan. 9, 2006.
Howard McGillin, who stars as the phantom, during the curtain call following performance No. 7,486 of "The Phantom of the Opera" at the Majestic Theatre in New York on Monday, Jan. 9, 2006. New York has had 11 different phantoms, starting with Michael Crawford, who originated the role in the London production in October 1986.
Michael Crawford, the original phantom, embraces Howard McGillin, center, who currently stars in the role during the curtain call following performance No. 7,486 of "The Phantom of the Opera" at the Majestic Theatre in New York on Monday, Jan. 9, 2006. With the performance, the show surpassed "Cats" to become the longest running show in Broadway history.
From left, actors Tim Martin Gleason, Howard McGillin and Sandra Joseph take a bow following performance No. 7,486 of "The Phantom of the Opera" at the Majestic Theatre in New York on Monday, Jan. 9, 2006. "Phantom" is now the longest running show on Broadway.
Howard McGillin, as the phantom, and Sandra Joseph, as Christine, appear in a scene from the current Broadway production of "The Phantom of the Opera," which become the longest-running show in Broadway history on Jan. 9, 2006.
Producer Cameron Mackintosh, left, and composer Andrew Lloyd Webber take the stage following the record-breaking performance of "The Phantom of the Opera" at New York's Majestic Theatre on Monday, Jan. 9, 2006. Mackintosh has the three longest-running shows in Broadway history: "Phantom" with 7,486 performances, "Cats," which closed in 2000 after 7,485, and "Les Miserables," which shut in May 2003 after 6,680 shows.
Harold Prince, center, puts his arm around Andrew Lloyd Webber following the record-breaking performance of "The Phantom of the Opera" at the Majestic Theatre in New York on Monday, Jan. 9, 2006. The musical, which was composed by Webber and directed by Prince, became the longest running show in Broadway history.
A crowd, including theater patrons and members of the media, gathers outside New York's Majestic Theatre prior to performance No. 7,486 of "The Phantom of the Opera" Monday, Jan. 9, 2006. New York grosses have totaled nearly $600 million and nearly 11 million people have seen the show at the Majestic.
Michael Crawford, left, and Andrew Lloyd Webber arrive for performance No. 7,486 of "The Phantom of the Opera" at the Majestic Theatre in New York on Monday, Jan. 9, 2006. With that performance, the musical, which was composed by Webber and had Crawford as an original star, becomes the longest running show in Broadway history.