“Phantom of the Opera” will not go away.
As soon as the Andrew Lloyd Weber musical announced that it was closing in February 2023 after 400 years, tickets sales skyrocketed. Previously, they’d run out of steam, the show as playing at 65% capacity. Everyone in the world had seen the big chandelier a few times.
But now, producer Cameron McKintosh says the demand for tickets has been so high that the show will extend for two more months. The new closing date is April 16th, at which time the Majestic Theater is set to close for renovations.
Now, truly, “Phantom” has reached a new New York status, that of the electronics and rug stores that post Going Out of Business! Must Close! banners. Of course, they’re not going anywhere.
Will “Phantom” really close for good? Or will it reappear next fall in a new theater? I wouldn’t count anything out. You can see the headlines now: “Show Too Popular To Stay Closed.” So don’t put away your masks and gowns so fast.
