Broadway's 'Phantom of the Opera' to close in 2023 to make way for 'Phantom' Prequel

Photo credit: The Phantom of the Opera cast (Photo by Matthew Murphy)

The longest running Broadway show of all time has set its closing date. ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ will close after what will be 35 years in New York in 2023. However, fans of the Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber musical shouldn’t fret, because a prequel to ‘Phantom’ will be on its way soon.

While details on the prequel haven’t been announced yet, Webber said it will center on the Phantom’s teenage years, living alone in the Paris Opéra House. It will also explore the brief romance he has with a young Madame Giry. Webber said he’s particularly excited about songs that will show fans where the Phantom settled on his mask design, to his knot-tying lessons, to an especially lively number about the bartering process of buying the cymbal banging monkey toy.

“I haven’t composed a lot of songs for tap dance, but I just feel like it’s the perfect tempo for a number about buying a monkey toy,” Webber said.

He also added that he had never intended on doing a prequel to his famous hit musical, but the brief flashback scenes from the movie adaptation gave him a flurry of ideas.

No casting has been made official yet but I’m told that Daniel Radcliffe is on board for the lab.

“Phantom of the Opera’ will close in 2023 on March 31st with the prequel beginning previews on April 1st.”

Happy April Fool’s Day everyone.