'Phantom of the Opera' extended 2 weeks

HOLLYWOOD - Tickets are now on sale for the final Los Angeles engagement of "The Phantom of the Opera," recently extended two weeks by popular demand.The longest-running show in Broadway history, the New York production of "The Phantom of the Opera" recently celebrated its 22nd anniversary - the musical's latest in a long line of record-breaking milestones. Since its debut in 1988, "Phantom" has grossed more than $755 million, making it the highest-grossing show in Broadway history. "Phantom" continues performances at the Majestic Theatre on Broadway with no end in sight. Worldwide, over 65,000 performances of "The Phantom of the Opera" have been seen by 100 million people in 27 countries and 144 cities. Worldwide grosses are estimated at more than $5 billion making it the most successful entertainment venture of all-time, surpassing not only any other stage production, but also surpassing the world's highest-grossing film "Avatar" ($2.7 billion) and such other blockbusters as "Titanic," "Lord of the Rings," "Jurassic Park" and "Star Wars." There are currently nine productions of "Phantom" around the world: London, New York, Budapest (Hungary), Nagoya (Japan), Warsaw (Poland), Seoul (Korea), Buenos Aires (Argentina), the U.S. National Tour and a revised production in Las Vegas at the Venetian. The Broadway production is the winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Based on the classic novel by Gaston Leroux, "The Phantom of the Opera" tells the story of a masked figure who lurks beneath the catacombs of the Paris Opera House, exercising a reign of terror over all who inhabit it. He falls madly in love with an innocent young soprano, Christine, and devotes himself to creating a new star by nurturing her extraordinary talents and by employing all of the devious methods at his command. "The Phantom of the Opera" opens Sept. 31 at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. The production closes Oct. 31. Tickets are on sale at the Pantages box office and at all Ticketmaster outlets.

********** Published: September 9, 2010 - Volume 9 - Issue 21