Andrew Lloyd Webber one-on-one as Phantom of the Opera set to close

With Phantom of the Opera about to close on Broadway after a historic 35-year run, Lester Holt chats with legendary composer Andrew Lloyd Webber about the musical and his iconic career.
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#NBCNews #AndrewLloydWebber #PhantomOfTheOpera

[@rh92801]

Let’s call phantom of the Opera what it truly is.. a masterpiece! I have had the high honor of seeing over 13 times throughout the world. Every time was as the first time. Lord Webber composed a musical that will go down in history. Sarah Brightman is truly the Angel of Music!

[@Fireinherveinzz]

Agreed

[@KrystalHarwood-ty7rk]

5 to me! i always joked i'd see it last as an old lady. i'm in my late 30's now and,,,,,no such luck

[@jjphoenix4055]

Its not a coincidence... (as much as all the snobbish critics and a few viewers want to believe) Phantom is the most popular and succesful musical of all time worldwide. So, no need more to say. I've seen tons of musicals in my life and absolutely NEVER felt what I feel watching and listening the Phantom. Sarah is a total angel and the BEST Christine ever!

[@MAJORTIPTOP]

25 times for me. Wonderful each and every time.

[@derekllewellyn6663]

​@@Fireinherveinzzdo you know what me too Derek Llewellyn feel like flash back past life look back should be see it again before

[@pearlrawson8636]

I am so sad that Phantom of the Opera is closing. It truly is a beautiful play with remarkable music. Thank you for the memories!

[@benalder6781]

Andrew Lloyd Webber is my favorite Broadway composer. I wish I could meet him in person. The mainly reason why Andrew is my favorite Broadway composer because of the use of the organ in "the phantom of the opera". So I'm a big fan of his. Love this.

[@sahandmiraminy409]

Love that he and Sarah Brightman still have so much respect for each other.

[@caseyjones9716]

Our first time seeing The Phantom with the original cast was glorious and uplifting in a way I still find indescribable. Having seen other generations of it over the years, each has been glorious. But that first time. . . .mmnnmn. I cannot imagine it leaving the stage for ever. What a gift he has given all of us. Blessed be, Sir Andrew.

[@ernshaw78]

Thanks so much for giving all of us this music, but please let it come back as full as possible. Let a whole new generation get the chance to see this and give us the glorious original or close to for a truly beautiful, moving, gorgeous show.

[@ashley._in_.wonderland]

I love hearing that Phantom will eventually return. Just please, Andrew, for the love of God, when it makes its way back, please bring it back with Sierra Boggess and Ramin Karimloo 🙏 they are hands down the best Christine and Phantom duo that has ever been ❤

[@broadwaymike92]

Breaks my heart!!! The full company (cast, crew, musicians, and creative team) out of a job but also this show being a national treasure landmark to NYC!!! Broadway will never be the same again without it. On a personal note as an actor myself, I've auditioned for the show several times. I just feel like I failed as a performer. To be part of this family and singing those songs on the Majestic stage ... even yet to play The Phantom!!! So Not fair. So upsetting.

[@rgalonso3]

Andrew Lloyd Webber will go down in history as William Shakespeare is today! I'm at awe listening to him!

[@derekllewellyn6663]

Happy birthday it's looks like Halloween costume for the best of the history of doing live concert with News TV show documentary about biography and legend legends tour New York NY USA today and decided to live 1988 years before 1987 back before New

[@jamesmcarthur6945]

Doesn't the name Stephen Sondheim mean anything to you

[@natalieJe10]

I saw the phantom 3x and EVERY time my eyes just watered with emotions when the chandelier rose. I will miss you Erik.

[@keefir11]

Spectacular Phantom performance..25th Anniversary from the Royal Albert Hall…preserved and available on dvd🎶👏❗️

[@wolfblitzer1981]

The man has just recently lost his son 😢 seems a really genuine man is Andrew

[@mereteisaksen7698]

I just love this opera. Is is so fantastic snd lovely I hsve listened to it so many times can never get enough of it.

[@annetteclark8854]

I love the work of this tremendously gifted man! I have been fortunate enough to have seen Phantom 3 times. It is not only a favorite of all the productions I have ever seen, it is my all-time favorite. I love all 7 productions of Andrew Lloyd Webber's that I have seen (3 of them, multiple times) in multiple theaters reaching from London to Seattle. What a legacy this man has created, and is continuing to create, in this world! Bravo and thank you sir! Phantom will be missed, especially your Phantom! As you suggested the Phantom may not be happy about leaving the theater. I have noticed that The Phantom of the Opera has returned many times since the time of silent films. A timeless and unforgettable story and your interpretation is THE pinnacle! I am so greatful that your music lives on and is available to us at will.

[@Lola-mt1ne]

I saw Phantom live in SF in the 90's. A high point was when the chandelier dropped from the ceiling in front of us. who knew those balcony seats would be so good.

[@rt3593]

Yes! I saw POTO numerous times, and the last I Sat front row dead center balcony, and as the chandelier rose and approached our seats I said , " okay, it really looks large and threatening from this seat". So everybody needed to see POTO from the front orchestra rows to see the performances...then from the very front of the balcony to see the PRODUCTION. Either way, you win!!

[@tzomous]

Musical genius 😍😍

[@lbednaz]

Brilliant Composer and Sarah Brighton has a phenomenal voice.....it was a stellar combo!

[@khristianvazquez4540]

The Phantom is a masterpiece of a musical. The songs carry emotion and tell the story. The music is amazing. Truly will miss the phantom of the opera.

[@gracemir2]

My favorite musical of all time. Watched only in other country in a different language but Didn’t get a chance to watch at Broadway,,, hope it comes back 😢

[@tomtalker2000]

Andrew god bless you. And THANK YOU for bringing us all your fantastic work. I was privileged enough too see Cats, Phantom, and Les Misérables back in the 80's and 90's. But Phantom will ALWAYS stay in my heart as i saw Brightman and Crawford in one of their early performances in NY. It was sensational too say the least. I will miss it very much when it concludes. I suppose everything must come to an end sooner or later. But too me it will always be THE BEST musical of all time. And i'd be willing to wager few would refute that.

[@Ann-Vorol]

What a lovely lovely man!

[@renettareno662]

It's so hard for me cuz I never got to see the Phantom of the Opera that was one of my birthday wishes and also Christmas wish but it never happened and it breaks my heart that this is really happening I have always dreamed of walking on the stage meeting the Phantom of the Opera himself Christine Diane and everybody May the Phantom of the Opera Live on forever within our hearts

[@CyrusWebb]

Andrew Lloyd Webber is an amazing force. We are so much better because of his work.

[@BlushGush]

I like that he says he’s only a cog in the wheel and gives credit to everyone else

[@suzetebrito4506]

I loved to see the play on april 12th, just 4 days before the last performance of the Phanton. It was simply amazing!

[@technicolordreamer]

Never knew there was a Phantom magazine at one point.

[@Fireinherveinzz]

It’s a beautiful gothic dark romance

[@t3hsis324]

Sad I never got to see it in theater. It was my mother's favorite, and I grew very fond of the music as she would play it on the piano. I wanted to play it as well but I will need a pencil to write in all my flats and sharps. Keys are brutal.

[@marvind.rogers1706]

It's still playing on London's West End if you ever have the opportunity. 🎵 💜

[@jenniferhiemstra5228]

Saw this right before I moved out of NYC last June since I hadn’t seen it in 15 years since then. Needless to say, I always knew I made the right choice, but I was especially glad about it when I found out only a few months later that it was coming to an end ❤️ 🌹

[@jamesrawlins735]

I remember seeing just a few clips from the original production during a 60 Minutes story I believe and was intrigued. That actually made me go out and buy the cassette of the soundtrack (this was back in 87) and was absolutely hooked on the music. Finally I got the chance to see the show in 2003 (Hugh Panaro played the Phantom) and I will never regret that decision. Other than the first five minutes of The Lion King, it's my favorite musical memory.

[@rt3593]

It's hard to believe...POTO has been around more than 50% of the time I've been on this earth. I saw it originally on August 24,1988, and numerous times thereafter. Brightman had just left,but that still left Crawford ,Kaye, and Barton were still performing.... beyond hypnotic, dreamlike, and haunting. With its closing, it's like losing a companion who's been around for 35 years. Oddly enough, in 1986, I had just left a performance of Evita and had gone into a record store ( remember those?) afterwards. Looking at the cast recording of EVITA, there I saw the black album jacket with the white mask and the gold sticker that said Webber's New Masterpiece. I thought , "hhmmm, I wonder how this will play, after the successes of Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Evita...isn't this kind of an old chestnut, that's been done dozens of times"?? Little did I know how wrong I was. Webber, thank you and your vast team of artists that gave the world this slice of absolute, perfect beauty....and, yes, the chandelier was beautiful.. It's over now...the music of the night.

[@BlushGush]

Also, re: the question of the unique experience each time - they are completely different. Each actor and actress and understudy changes the show completely. For this reason I’m very picky about which cast I go to see.

[@violetskye6863]

Yes, the phantom will be displeased at the closing. But I hold hope that it will return at some point. I can’t accept this is the end

[@michaelbarlow6610]

It is interesting that Andrew Lloyd Webber in this interview said that in Phantom all the elements ( i.e., music, staging, choreography, lighting, casting, etc.) came together and that nothing was changed from the original preview of "Phantom" - but the lyrics in some of the songs were changed - for example in the promotional video in which Crawford sings, "Music of the Night", clearly the lyrics are somewhat different than the final form they took as heard on the LP album of the show that was released as well as the lyrics as heard in the Broadway production of "Phantom". Now, of course, Webber is not a lyricist, so it was his lyricist's decision to change the lyrics to that song and some of the others - changes that were, in my opinion, the right decision because the lyrics are much better in their final form - for example in "Music of the Night"!

[@michellefreeman7410]

Phantom in South Africa was the best production of Phantom I saw! With the best Christine being in London! However, being in Her Majesty's theater where it all began was a treat!!!

[@22Too]

A dozen years ago, the first time that the Miami City Ballet performed in NY City, the MCB founder, CEO, and artistic director -- Edward Villella -- was quoted in The NY Times complaining that it cost a million dollars a day for his ballet company to perform there.

[@ChjdhdhddhFjfjfufur]

LIVE LONG ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER✨🌍🍀❤️

[@leslieeagle4990]

I hope The Phantom returns to NYC

[@AlicePeabody]

I live in rural America and none of these school aged children have never been to the theater. Arizona

[@jacobkeppler1984]

Sarah brightman was Christine and Michael was the phantom when phantom of the opera started on broadway

[@AlicePeabody]

Enjoyed a live performance in Tucson

[@jime6688]

Regret that I now have the means to go and was a year late. Maybe it will revive in the states sometime before I die.

[@jws1948ja]

I cannot get to New York, I watched bits of it on line, and I ordered the movie from Amazon.

[@repboy1]

I’m as in to phantom as when I went to see it opening year in London

[@davidcattin7006]

Here, I have a note... Let me see it!

[@robk5159]

Two observations: 1st, his name is Lord Webber 2nd, please don't forget Tim Rice, his writing partner.

[@RevJacobDavis]

Techinically, he's Lord Lloyd Webber (Lloyd Webber is his surname). Sir Tim Rice wrote Joseph, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Evita with him, but The Phantom of the Opera's lyrics are by Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe.

[@C_Holloway]

Though I'm very late to the Phantom Phandom (I knew the musical existed since the 80's, though I didn't come around to the fandom til just a couple of months ago, but hey, better late than never, right? lol), it's cool to know that back in the day, before social media, that the Phantom of the Opera had quite a young following. 😁👍👍

[@jasonluckoff3880]

Stay on Broadway phantom

[@lisakwaterski6707]

He mentioned Sarah Brightman is to be in the final show?! What about the other actress in the show, is she being drummed out of doing the final show? I hope they record and make a DVD and soundtrack of the final show. I thought I saw a touring version of it when I was stationed somewhere, but remembering back that far is crazy.

[@connie0128]

Sarah is just here for the festivities. She is not performing in the show.

[@jasonluckoff3880]

Andrew Lloyd Webber can I bring the phantom back to Broadway?

[@ChjdhdhddhFjfjfufur]

I love you

[@jasonluckoff3880]

I could bring in the phantom back to Broadway

[@leroysmith7141]

❤❤❤still enjoyable

[@PhantomScorp]

4:46 "Well I'm not pulling the plug, it's nothing to do with me." BS. He's the co-producer and Cameron can't close it without his sign-off.

[@johand_utopia]

I think it's more complicated than that. If one of the production companies - Cameron Mackintosh - decides that the production must close, because it doesn't make enough profit anymore and in some weeks even lost money - than the other one can't go on on its own. It could be that Cameron Mackintosh invested the most in the production and therefore always had more to say in the matter? And maybe Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group tried to reverse the decision and failed. We don't know how the contracts were made up. Plus there a co-producers on Broadway, and I think I heard that the theatre owner also put pressure to empty the theatre.

[@PhantomScorp]

@@johand_utopia Cameron does not have the majority share, Andrew does.

[@johand_utopia]

@@PhantomScorp I didn't know that. Then it's indeed strange ALW acts like he didn't have any say in it.

[@thomasbaia7293]

This is not the producers closing the show by choice, this is the Schubert theater group that owns the majestic theater kicking them out. At the time of closing notice the show was losing a million a week, and they felt that a better show could bring in more money.

[@PhantomScorp]

@@thomasbaia7293 That isn't true. The Shuberts did not start the process; Cameron did.

[@AlicePeabody]

I remember now. It was called "Tribute."

[@ChjdhdhddhFjfjfufur]

LIVE LONG QUEEN JOYCE, BRIDGIANA, MILANTE,MARY, SHIRLEY,ANN MARIE, HEATHER, WILOMA AND ROISEEN AND PAULA PRAY THEY ALL STAY STRONG AND HEALTHY PLZ AND RAISE IT IN HALLELUJAH COMING FROM NORTHERN IRELAND 🌍🍀❤️💚✨

[@Texaslawhorn]

Sarah's going to be in the final show?!

[@SpaceCattttt]

If the Phantom cost a million per week to put on, how on Earth did they ever manage to open it at all in London? Was that a cheaper production?

[@jorritvanderkooi939]

Because it was performed less, allowing themto up ticket prizes while still having a sold out theater

[@cloudydaiz123]

Why is it closing?

[@DarianKenney-rf9hs]

You have post 📮 Hay from Douglas GA I love a good story the phantom is the number one .🕊️💭

[@jolly7234]

Really? I was wanting to watch again after 2004 last

[@AlicePeabody]

Masquerade

[@asdf072xxp]

Boy. Lester Holt certainly fumbled that interview.

[@mikelans2725]

For such a clever man. He mumbles alot

[@danieldipalma704]

He's still alive??? OMG.

[@22Too]

Wash that yellow makeup off of Lester Holt. That makeup causes him to appear badly jaundiced.

[@KL-sw5xi]

The recent North American tour directed by Laurence Connor was a piece of TRASH. He needs to read the novel.

[@jws1948ja]

charles is not really a king and cammila is not a queen.

[@dirk2655]

What was that, a money laundering machine??? Who goes to Broadway for anything? I guess it must be a New England spot. Phantom makes money only as a travelling show..just like most plays and musicals..so why was it parked in NYC to launder the bridges or the tunnel fees or truck fees and the airport flights?

[@ronwade2206]

Rumor has it he traded his Soul to the Devil, but I don't believe that.

[@caseyjones9716]

No. That was Robert Johnson, at the Crossroads.

[@kevinwilson3609]

I disagree with ALW that "all the ingredients" came together - the lyrics never came together. They are bad, amateurish, boring and unfortunate.

[@detoxmuscle]

Thank God for ALW ❤.

[@chaos6687]

I just discovered phantom of the opera, im so sad to see it go 🥲 hopefully it'll be back so I can see this masterpiece in person!

[@mypersonalstuff8456]

One of the best readily available experiences of Phantom is the version recorded at Royal Albert Hall. It’s available for purchase at most any of places that offers downloadable videos. The purchase is worth every penny.