PHANTOM OF THE OPERA - Original Cast：1988 Tony Awards

[@mickram23]

It's a tragedy that the full original production of Phantom of the Opera isn't preserved for all to see. Every major theatrical production should be preserved on film for future generations. I am fortunate enough to have a local theatre group in my town and there have been many a time I've wished that those unfortunate enough to have not attended could have seen the production for themeselves. Let's start a campaign.

[@johnkringe]

10 years late, however now full home recordings and soundtracks exist on youtube!

[@BrendanJSmith]

They did professionally film the 1988 Broadway version in its entirety. Not quite the original version, but it's the closest we'll ever get.

[@robinsteinfeld3212]

But remember ,the is the Movie version of this musical .It’s wonderful

[@mickram23]

@@johnkringe Better late than never! I'm still here.

[@andrewquinton4362]

Totally agree I've seen phantom 7 times but will never see Sarah and Michael

[@blueguitarblue]

No kidding. This tenor and mezzo soprana were/are the best in Phantom of the Opera! Absolutely the best.

[@Madam-ri8gs]

Sarah is a soprano... that can sing mezzo and Alt as well

[@MsSalugi]

i wish i was born in the 80's so that i could have seen the original cast perform and to witness the birth of such an unforgettable masterpiece

[@sebmorgan393]

Same

[@justanotherhappyhumanist8832]

If you were born in the eighties you would have been six years old maximum when the musical came out. You may not even have been alive when it came out lol.

[@susanalessi7057]

It was a amazing experience!

[@christinewells-leddon9287]

I remember the beginning...and to this day, Michael Crawford will always have the #1 spot in my heart. This is not to say that the other Phantoms are not good (Ramin Karimloo is magnificent a magnificent 2nd), it's just that Michael Crawford has pride of place in my memories. I still have the original cast album (along with my CATS album).

[@BobCob-ug3el]

More likely born in the 1960s so you can understand it during the 1980s. Even people from the early 1970s would have been a bit too young.

[@annecohen8927]

Michael Crawford and the absolutely illuminating Sarah Brightman. The most memorable performance of the decade . It sure is the most inspirational part of the relationship between Michael Crawford’s phantom to Sarah Brightman’s Christine .

[@singergal57]

but I love it when MC slicks his hair back with his hands, then runs his hands down his body and slithers up to her as he is singing - wow talk about a neat piece of business - he was the absolute best.

[@lisawilder3640]

Michael Crawford's Phantom was as close to pure genius as the world has ever seen and heard. His voice, stage presence, charisma, hand movements, were chillingly brilliant. Why no standing ovation from the audience? It is 2024 as I write this and we have yet to see anything more electrifying. Bravo!

[@eddtoro]

the only two who got it right. Michael had the voice and body movements that defined the Phantom as only he could. Tony well deserved.

[@mariamascareno8680]

the original cast, thanks you, sarah and michael, the best of the best

[@ghostrider-ek8gu]

I was so very lucky to see this on the 2nd night of the opening on Broadway. My wife purchased the tickets the same day that they went on sale, so we had great seats. It was for my birthday. It was the full cast all the way through. We saw it six times in total ... three times with Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman. Eventually, mannequins took the place of live actors .. like in the masquerade scene. I have seen a few GREAT plays, with great acting and singing ... and this is at the top of that list. I remember it lie it was yesterday. Incredibly great performances and play.

[@marirosy55]

What a GREAT present!

[@ghostrider-ek8gu]

@@marirosy55 Hello Mari Yes, a great surprise birthday present. Not only one of my favorite novels, but the movies were fantastic, too. I have seen this play 6 times...over the years. I hope that you will get to see this great Play ...someday soon.

[@marirosy55]

@@ghostrider-ek8gu I hope so.

[@ghostrider-ek8gu]

@@marirosy55 Keep it as a positive thought, a positive wish... It will happen!

[@marirosy55]

@@ghostrider-ek8gu Thanks for your wishes. Have a GREAT DAY.

[@edanderson8274]

I had the great pleasure of seeing Michael Crawford sing on a tour he did in the '80's Fourth row middle. He performed an incredible medley of The Phantom; the hairs are still standing on my arms. Sadly, never seen Sara Brightman perform.

[@filipinobean]

My first very Broadway play was Cats, then it was The Phantom of the Opera, both original casts. I was mesmerized by the music, the costume and the energy that the cast members brought to the stage. I have been a fan of Andrew Lloyd Weber ever since , and The Phantom of the Opera has always stayed in my heart. The original cast will always be my favorite, such amazing talent. The goosebumps while seeing them live will forever be embodied in my soul.

[@henryf.miller9032]

Who did you play as in Phantom? Or did you mean the first Plays you watched?

[@sikhander65]

That's the best version of all with the performances of Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford!

[@akudamatada1]

Wow i was 16 when my parents drag me to watch this. I am so happy they introduce this to me at a young age. I am so appreciative now.

[@mememex-t1v]

The thing is their voices are natural. Not imposted files and flows as with no force as breath , The rest of The casts needed to study a lot for reaching them .

[@RED1111111111]

i saw Michael Crawford and the absolutely illuminating Sarah Brightman three times in los angeles, Ca they were better than superb! not one flaw what-so-ever in their performances! AWESOME!!! MICHAEL IS ALSO A CHRISTIAN MAN!!!!

[@barberfamily3367]

I was very fortunate to have had a Broadway front row seat with fog rolling over me back then. It was fabulous, never forget and loved every minute.

[@janetaylor6574]

One and only Phantom!

[@gyattrizz22]

The blocking in this scene is now a lot smoother and flows more, but this is still the original and will always be amazing.

[@kaitlynrowena5463]

Blocking??

[@theghostinthemirror8158]

Kaitlyn Rivers the staging, the term often used in theatres is “ blocking” they mean how the actors are moving on stage.

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

​@@kaitlynrowena5463 the half phantom dark mask it's spilt vertically

[@jeffreysanaephillips5233]

Michael and Sarah are the best!!

[@diamond19971]

Micheal's voice is so good best musical ever

[@JeekProductions]

She can hit the note, but you have to remember that they would sometimes be doing two performances a day. The role of Christine is extremely taxing on the vocal chords, as she sings in practically every song. So the prerecording is to save the voice of the actresses.

[@tiagomota7645]

Sarah Brightman damn that beautifull voice

[@ainiarif6910]

Every opportunity I travel to London I make it a point to catch at least one Broadway. I’m fortunate to have seen Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserable’, Miss Saigon, Mamma Mia. 😍 I am a great fan of Sarah Brightman so naturally I prefer her singing.

[@critchley999]

Nobody did it better x

[@dianneallen8004]

Any one who plays the roles of Christina will all come behind Sarah whom the music was written for and of course the first Phantom Michael who set the stage for future Phantoms. However, the story and the music are timeless and I enjoyed the movie as well as stage production especially the 25th anniversary production presented on PBS.

[@felishiadarling]

This was the best musical I’ve been fortunate enough to attend in Los Angeles with the original cast. I wish I’d have kept the program booklet.

[@cynthiagonzalez658]

I watched Phantom in a St Paul Minnesota theatre & I remember that it made my soul soar. I can't remember the cast but they were superb & i I loved that river scene.

[@johnbarry0076]

pure class, both leads brilliant

[@amangogna68]

What a beautiful voice!

[@sebmorgan393]

I know right like a brilliant voice wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow

[@jenniferh2633]

My grandma took me when I was very young and I’ve been obsessed since. Just beautiful, still gives me goosebumps

[@anaheim92806]

Michael was the best Phantom ever. EVER!

[@mikebach4613]

I start every day off listening to these two sing.

[@RPenta]

Butler was just a so-so singer. The movie was incredible musically, photographically, costuming, etc., but herein is THE definitive version of the Phantom and Christine.

[@Sentya]

Oh my Lord! This is so awesome! It made me cry out of emotions that overwhelmed me.

[@LadyLhasa]

Sarah was absolutely the best for me and I felt saddened to watch her struggling

[@НинаДонская-ш4ь]

Amazing music and, I can listen to an excellent performance endlessly :)

[@GCnarutoDaniel]

i'm only 14 years old and i love the phantom of the opera

[@blueguitarblue]

This IS singing. I would definitely fall for the Phantom, not the other man.

[@priscillak7825]

I'm so happy that I saw Phantom on Broadway in NYC. However, I wish I could have seen the original cast. They are the absolute best and I can't see others portray their roles bc their voices just aren't the same.

[@Bossfeme]

Phantom der Oper, das Musical... ich liebe dich ... verfallen mit allen Sinnen, beim ersten Takt...

[@BrontëChick]

The greatest production..........ever!!!!!

[@Zamigirl]

It's one of those songs that makes our hair stand on end!!

[@sherrybachman666]

One of my all time favorite.

[@rebeccachun7061]

The best, the best, the best, i enjoy so much!!! Thanks!

[@lunasinger2735]

I saw this at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco back in '94. It was amazing: the play and the building were gorgeous.

[@CarlosPereira1960]

just BEAUTIFULL.

[@annabellerhodes4979]

this is sO iconic.

[@ghostrider-ek8gu]

Simply put ... The Best

[@rudolfogorgod3961]

Grabeh! MC no one moves or sings like him he is the original Phantom

[@audrey9664]

He's very seductive in voice.

[@oerjiejr]

Too beautiful ty for sharing

[@dshakeryan]

Oh what a sensation each and every time.

[@TheAudbbgirl]

Andrew wrote the part of Christine specifically for Sarah.

[@oohyllab]

The best live theatrical performance bar none!

[@KatThePuppyGirl]

I know...They were the cutest couple ever!

[@lololho2267]

I love to listen these song

[@Wildstar1960]

BRAVISSIMI!!!!!! BRAVISSIMI!!!!

[@Fravashi1]

Bravo!!!!

[@myvictoryismine1]

So true. This is like a knife to my soul.

[@carlosfranco3687]

Aqui se lo ve Acompañado de Sara Brigthman joven todavia ...Magnifica Obra...es un Arte Completa....

[@terapeutaeloisa]

Como sempre... Sarah é o show !!! Parabéns pelo talento. Eloisa Helena - Brasil

[@Patricia-is8so]

My first favorite Broadway play "The Phantom of Opera😌 and second Miss Saigon❤I watched both in 98, it was amazing.

[@sharon102645]

@MsLailai123 I totally agree. Michael set the bar high. I've read interviews from others who have played the Phantom and they said they were concerned because they knew they were being compared to Michael. I LOVE Michael Crawford. I have ever since I saw him in Hello Dolly.

[@superduperstar44]

This is amazing! thanks for posting

[@75jdwest]

The fact that, as of 2/6/2022 this has only 2,000 likes makes quite clear the direction of our civilization. Goodbye world. I loved what you were.

[@dougjoy1015]

Agreed

[@24000daniel]

Supper ,I love her voice.

[@Krunchy201]

I actually had an argument over if Sarah or Emmy was a better Christine. It's a shame some people actually prefer Emmy over the brilliant Sarah. Same for Crawford and Gerard Butler. These two originals are the best.

[@critchley999]

I wouldn't argue with you. Emmy's voice sounded thin and tinny compared to Sarah's. Nobody came close to Michael either.

[@laiquanghuy1983]

this is the best musical's opera !

[@mrspaschal79]

I love it.

[@wanderlyper]

Sarah is wonderful !!!!!

[@inspiredbysnowx3]

@krunchy201 I agree, yet I think that Emmy has a naiveness to her that Sarah didn't quit capture. They are both brilliant, yet I think that the original phantom is the best.

[@diamond19971]

the singging is very good the musicall is fantastic

[@rickkk0904]

Muito bom!!!!!!

[@farodealer]

@jasimegonzales101 They are the originals, the ones that every other person who plays those parts bases their performance on. The show is far far far better than the film

[@ads67]

I wish i was there.

[@ramonabaldwin2181]

so beautiful .

[@macroartist]

There should be video recorded records of all Broadway and Off Broadway shows that could be kept in a national archive and only released, say after 20 years. I’m guessing all involved might want a piece of the action or any monetary gain that might come of such an act, and those hurdles might be the real reason this isn’t done. They make original cast vocal albums, why not visual.?

[@vickilindberg6336]

A different time. A different interpretation. It was stunning then. I think Ramin's lack of formal training but deep passion changes so much.

[@TinyCanadian]

Guys, FILM and STAGE are 2 DIFFERENT GENRES!!!!!!!! Stop comparing them, and instead love all the little differences!

[@curioconnor9496]

TinyCanadian yup! I first saw the 2004 movie and am going to see it live in the Princess of Wales theater in June this year. They all have something I love more such as the movie I really liked the scene when Christine rips off his mask more but Past the Point of No Return was better on stage

[@laxhmiperera7215]

Very. Beautiful.

[@senorinamejiamejia9706]

Hermoso

[@googleuser2874]

THE BEST!!!

[@dubkat463]

i saw it with the original (this) cast in west end in 87. i can tell you for sure none of this act is live. either way...one of the best i ever saw.

[@vienf.2777]

Is this for real? I am still trying to get ahold of myself. I don't know what to say, this duet is beyond amazing!

[@barbararichie-timmer5880]

There is only one true Christine! The Goddess Of Musick Herself!!! SARAH!

[@susanadominguezantonio5947]

simplemente hermoso!!!!!!

[@critchley999]

The originals and the very best. I had the music on cassette tape and knew it note for note. By the time I got to see it Michael and Sarah had long been replaced and a lot of the music jarred on me and was so disappointing. Likewise the film. If only Michael and Sarah could have made the film.

[@TheTitanic4]

best quality iv seen for this vid

[@jerry-Shor]

Beautifullll....!

[@איריתאטיאס]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@fashpg]

I'll rather relive this beautiful memory rather than watching Sarah struggled during the 25th Anniversary

[@DarkMila]

das Ist Liebe himmlisch ....

[@MrMaster2u2]

DAMNN That is fucking epic....

[@angelofmusic997]

0:59 PHANTOM: I'm with Christine now, I don't need this stupid hat! lol. Actually, Michael is the one Phantom (out of all movie/broadway/other versions that I've seen) that I like in a hat. *hisses like a snake at pictures of the picnic scene in 1990 mini-series*

[@louisechan8967]

原唱好聽

[@tedwatson9929]

I would much rather listen to this on the radio.

[@kelliebigler2949]

Exactly how it's meant be...

[@grazynakomanschek9812]

Pięknie śpiewa ❤ 🎶 🌐 Sarah Brightman ❤🌏🌎🌍🌐

[@Sogck47]

0:03 OMG 80'S ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER

[@emilysweety]

in the scene christine's completely enthralled by the phantom, that's why she can't see anything else but him.

[@WhiteFalcon534]

I love how Michael actually sang his part instead of using a recording like Sarah. I can't blame her, maybe her voice was out then, or about to go out?

[@Starisborne]

She was probably sick because she can still sing it live