Broadway is about to witness a legendary musical’s grand comeback after a two-year hiatus.
Donald Trump’s favorite show, The Phantom of the Opera, is making its way back to the Great White Way, much to the excitement of theatergoers.
After taking its final bow on April 16, 2023, due to declining ticket sales and mounting production costs post-pandemic, this iconic show is ready to captivate audiences once more—with a fresh twist.
A President’s Favorite
In a 2023 interview with Steve Bannon on the War Room podcast, Trump shared his admiration for the musical.
“Phantom was one of the greatest of all,” he recalled.
“I go in and I see this musical, I say ‘this thing is unbelievable.’ And by intermission, I thought, ‘this thing is incredible.’”
His enthusiasm speaks to the lasting power of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s masterpiece, which has captured the hearts of countless fans, including the 47th President of the United States.
A Fresh New Look for an Old Favorite
This time, the production won’t be returning to its original home at the Majestic Theater.
Instead, The Phantom of the Opera will perform at a new venue located on West 57th Street, in the building once home to Lee’s Art Shop.
The show’s title has also been reimagined—now called Masquerade, after one of the musical’s most famous and extravagant dance numbers.
While full details on the production’s changes remain under wraps, those curious about the new edition can submit their email to a website featuring the Phantom’s iconic mask for updates.
Additionally, an Instagram account for Masquerade has been launched, offering glimpses of the show’s familiar black-and-red aesthetic, alongside memorable quotes from the musical.
A Bittersweet Farewell
The Phantom of the Opera closed its doors on Broadway after 35 years of performances, marking the end of the longest-running show in Broadway history.
This farewell came just months after a heartfelt 35th anniversary celebration on January 26, 2023.
The final performance took place on April 16, 2023, following a five-month run leading up to the show’s closure.
Andrew Lloyd Webber expressed his sadness over the musical’s end in an interview on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
“It was strange,” he admitted.
“A young audience found it over the last few months, and it was sad because I felt it could keep going.”
A Musical Legacy
Lloyd Webber acknowledged the rarity of such a cultural phenomenon.
“It’s very unusual for everything to come together for a musical,” he explained.
“It’s just one of those moments, and it happened with Phantom.”
He compared it to other Broadway successes like The Lion King and Hamilton, underscoring just how special the musical’s run had been.
When Fallon joked about Cats—another of Webber’s famous productions—Webber couldn’t resist poking fun at the 2019 Cats movie, which was a box-office bomb.
“I was a total cat person until I saw the Cats movie,” he quipped, adding a humorous touch to the conversation.
What’s Next for Broadway’s Phantom?
Although the precise start date for Masquerade is still unknown, the show is expected to return later this year, ready to once again enchant audiences and carry on the legacy of The Phantom of the Opera.
As Broadway fans eagerly await its return, the magic of the Phantom will continue to captivate, reimagined for a new generation.