Days before ending its record-breaking Broadway run, “The Phantom of the Opera” will host a charity performance on the evening of April 14 to benefit four New York City Arts organizations: Broadway Bridges, The American Theatre Wing’s Andrew Lloyd Webber Initiative, The Prince Fellowship and The Stephen Sondheim Foundation. The organizations were chosen because of their commitment to fostering future generations of audience members and artists.
The production, which has run for 35 years, will play its final performance on April 16. The musical opened at the Majestic Theatre on Jan. 26, 1988.
Broadway Bridges began in 2017 and offers $10 tickets to Broadway shows for tenth-grade students at New York City Department of Education (NYC DOE)high schools. The initiative is offered in partnership with the Broadway League, NYC DOE and the United Federation of Teachers.
The Andrew Lloyd Webber Initiative was launched via the American Theatre Wing in 2016 to provide theater training and scholarships to students lacking resources in elementary, middle and high schools nationwide.
The Stephen Sondheim Foundation, established by the late composer-lyricist in his will, supports the career advancement of playwrights, composers and lyricists.
The Prince Fellowship — honoring late “Phantom” director Harold Prince — operates in association with Columbia University School of the Arts and exposes new talent to the producing process.
Tickets for the charity performance, which range from $175 to $1,500, will go on sale on March 17 at 10 a.m.
“‘Phantom’s’ farewell to Broadway has proved more thrilling and celebratory than Andrew and I could ever have hoped for,” producer Cameron Mackintosh said in a statement. “With nearly all remaining tickets sold, this will be your last chance to get tickets to see this legendary production in its original splendor, and at the same time support youth and diverse talents in the theater for future generations.”
“The Phantom of the Opera” is produced on Broadway by Mackintosh and The Really Useful Group.
