The Phantom of the Opera (musical) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Phantom of the Opera
Her Majesty's Theatre
Music	Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics	Charles Hart Richard Stilgoe
Book	Andrew Lloyd Webber Richard Stilgoe
Basis	The Phantom of the Opera, a 1910 novel by Gaston Leroux
Productions	West End, 1986 Broadway, 1988 Movie, 2004
Awards	Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical (1986) Tony Award for Best Musical (1988)

The Phantom of the Opera is a very famous musical. It tells a thrilling story with beautiful songs. Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote the music. He also helped write the story, called the "book," with Richard Stilgoe. Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe wrote the words for the songs, known as the lyrics.

The musical is based on a classic novel from 1910. This book, also called The Phantom of the Opera, was written by Gaston Leroux.

The Musical's Big Openings

First Shows in London and New York

The Phantom of the Opera first opened in London, England. This was in the West End, a famous area for theaters. The show started on October 9, 1986, at Her Majesty's Theatre.

The main actors were:

• The Phantom: Michael Crawford
• Christine: Sarah Brightman
• Raoul: Steve Barton

The musical then moved to Broadway in New York City. It opened there on January 26, 1988. The show played at the Majestic Theatre. The same three main actors from London also starred in the Broadway show.

Meet the Main Characters

The story of The Phantom of the Opera has three main characters:

• The Phantom of the Opera: He is a mysterious man. He lives hidden away because his face is badly scarred.
• Christine Daaé: She is a talented young opera singer. The Phantom becomes obsessed with her.
• Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny: He is a young nobleman. He is Christine's childhood friend and her true love.

What the Story is About

The story takes place at a grand opera house in Paris, France. A strange, hidden man lives deep below the building. He is known as the Phantom. He is a musical genius but also very lonely and angry.

The Phantom falls in love with Christine Daaé. He secretly teaches her to sing and wants her to be the opera's biggest star. To make this happen, he scares everyone at the opera house. He causes strange accidents and demands that Christine gets the main roles.

Christine is torn between the Phantom's powerful influence and her love for Raoul. The story is full of mystery, romance, and thrilling moments.

Awards the Musical Won

The Phantom of the Opera has won many important awards.

• In 1986, it won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical. This is a top award for musicals in London.
• In 1988, it won the Tony Award for Best Musical. This is the highest award for musicals on Broadway.

The actor Michael Crawford also won awards for his role as the Phantom. He won both the Olivier Award and the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical.

The Movie Version

The popular musical was also made into a movie. The film, also called The Phantom of the Opera, came out in 2004.

The main actors in the movie were:

• The Phantom: Gerard Butler
• Christine: Emmy Rossum
• Raoul: Patrick Wilson

Images for kids

• 

  At the Majestic Theatre

• 

  Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman performing the title song

• 

  Steve Barton and Sarah Brightman in the final scene

See also

In Spanish: El fantasma de la ópera (musical de 1986) para niños