After 13,981 performances in 35 years, the curtain fell on Broadway , Sunday, on “The Phantom of the Opera”, the oldest musical in the famous New York theater district and one of its symbols, due to the great weakness in the audience’s attendance after the pandemic.

One of the show's strongest moments was the fall of the heavy and majestic opera chandelier for the last time at the Majestic Theater near Times Square, where this musical, adapted by Andrew Lloyd Webber from the French novel by Gaston Le Roux, was historically shown.

The play's team, in the presence of its author, was met with standing ovations and long standing ovations when the famous chandelier appeared for the last time in the full hall, which can accommodate about 1,600 spectators, as noted by Agence France-Presse.

Andrew Lloyd Webber, who composed pieces for the coronation celebration of Charles III as King of Britain next May, dedicated this performance to his son, who died in March of cancer. "Thank you all, thank you New York for being such an amazing home for us," he said.

Daniel Wright, 56, who attended the show several times previously, said the latter was "extraordinary".

He admitted to Agence France-Presse that he cried "in many moments", as "it was a perfect show".

He added, "There are reasons why this show has continued for 35 years, as it is a timeless work that has affected many people."

Since the premiere in 1988 in New York of the story of the ghost who lives hidden in the basements of the Paris Opera House and falls in love with the ballerina Christine, the play has achieved revenues amounting to a total value of $ 1.4 billion, meaning that it attracted about 20 million spectators, and about 6,500 people worked in it, Among them are 450 actors, according to the production department. And the play "The Phantom of the Opera" imposed itself on Broadway, with its old costumes and its own orchestra, two years after its launch in London, where it continues to be shown.

In 1988, she won seven theatrical "Tony" awards equivalent to the Oscars in cinema.

However, British producer Cameron Mackintosh noted in an interview with the New York Times in September 2022 that "the world has changed." He explained that the play, which relies on the turnout of foreign tourists, has become, after the Covid-19 pandemic, which led to the closure of Broadway theaters for a period of 18 months, high cost compared to its revenues, as it needs weekly “a little less than 950 thousand net dollars.”
Each show requires about 125 people, including musicians, actors and technicians.

He pointed to a "turning point" represented by "a significant reduction in the number of well-run weeks that make up for lost weeks". And she believed that “there is only one reasonable decision that should be taken at this stage,” at a time when Broadway musicals are attracting audiences, such as “MJ: The Musical” about Michael Jackson.

But Mackintosh asserted, amid final greetings, that the play had been a success.

"In our craziest childhood dreams, we could never have imagined the success of Phantom," he said.

The announcement of stopping the show's performance revived the box office, prompting the move to be postponed from February to April, and some do not rule out announcing a tour of performances. Last tickets this week sold for more than $500 on booking sites.

The Majestic Theater will undergo major restoration and modernization.

From now on, "Chicago" will be the oldest musical in New York, with its premiere dating back to 1996, before "The Lion King".

The 41 Broadway theaters constitute the cultural and tourist lung of New York, as they attract 200,000 viewers and 300,000 per week, and their average weekly revenue exceeds $30 million.

Christina Lewis and her teenage daughter, Sparrow, who love the "Phantom of the Opera," confirmed their willingness to go to London to see the show, although they had already attended it at least 11 times.

"It's sad that the play has stopped, but we are so excited to be watching the last show. We cried so many times during it," said Lois, 36, a nurse.

Lewis and her niece have already demanded the play's return, as have others.

"Let the ghost come back!" said Richard Rodriguez, 38.