After 10 years and 4,226 performances, the Toronto staging of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera closes with a 7 PM performance Oct. 31, and the falling curtain is touching off an auction -- not unlike the on-stage auction that opens the fabled musical -- that will benefit charity.
Props (the musical's "Hannibal" poster, the monkey music box) and costumes (Christine wedding veil, The Phantom's fedora) are among the auction items.
Known as the first major show staged by Garth Drabinsky and Livent, Phantom was ground zero for the explosion of commercial theatre that occurred in the 1990s, solidifying Toronto as a major theatre city and arts destination. Original director Harold Prince oversaw the staging.
But Livent fell, Drabinsky was deposed, and all good things come to an end. More than 7 million people have seen Phantom in Toronto.
Phantom of the Opera celebrated its 4000th performances in Toronto April 16, 1999. The production began previews Sept. 13, 1989 and opened Sept. 20, 1989. It became the longest-running musical in Canadian theatre history. In the final show, KISS rocker Paul Stanley is The Phantom, Melissa Dye is Christine and Laird Mackintosh is Raoul.
In celebration of the historic close at the Pantages Theatre (other shows will play the venue, of course), one-of-a-kind items from Phantom, including handmade collectibles, posters and autographed merchandise, will be on display and available for bids in a silent auction in the Pantages Theatre lobby 103 PM Oct. 31. The event is free and open to the public.
All proceeds will support the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and the Canadian Actors' Equity Association, Equity Fights AIDS.
The Windsor Arms Hotel, 18 St. Thomas St., is hosting a Fantasy Masquerade Evening themed to celebrate the closing of The Phantom of the Opera and commemorate "The End of an Era." The Fantasy Masquerade Evening will include entertainment and a special post-show guest appearance from Phantom Paul Stanley (of KISS) and other Phantom cast members. A second silent auction will take place at the Windsor Arms that will close at 10:30 PM with a live auction at 11 PM. Tickets to the Windsor Arms event are $150.00 each and can be obtained by calling (416) 971-9666. Proceeds from the auction and a portion of the evening's proceeds will go to The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and the Canadian Actors' Equity Association/ Actor's Fund of Canada Equity Fights AIDS campaign.
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Auction items on display and open for bids in the silent auction at the Pantages 1-3 PM:
€ An authentic Phantom mask autographed by Jeff Hyslop;
€ A Claire Bear (The Phantom) Plush Doll -- a hand-crafted Teddy Bear dressed in The Phantom's tuxedo and mask;
€ Hand-crafted 11" fashion doll as "Christine" in Masquerade inspired by the original costume design;
€ One-of-a-kind framed photographs of Melissa Dye, Glenda Balkan and Kimilee Bryant as "Christine" accompanied by autographed ballet pointe shoes;
€ The Phantom of the Opera Notes -- an assortment of Phantom notes used in the production;
€ A framed Phantom poster signed by the final acting company; € An album of black and white photographs of cast members in costume by company member Laird Mackintosh;
€ René Simard Recordings and Autographed Picture as "The Phantom" -- a boxed set of 26 CDs celebrating 25 years of entertainment by "the French Phantom";
€ Large Pantages Theatre billboard posters and signs;
€ Autographed transit posters.
A complete list is available at the Pantages Theatre box office, 244 Victoria St.
Silent auction items on display and open for bids at Windsor Arms 8-10:30 PM:
€ A Claire Bear (The Phantom) Plush Doll -- a hand-crafted Teddy Bear dressed in The Phantom's tuxedo and mask;
€ Monkey Figure Plush Doll dressed in Persian robes -- costumed and seated on a red velvet cushion, playing cymbals. Inspired by the original costume design of Maria Björnson;
€ Fashion Doll as "The Red Death" in Masquerade -- one-of-a-kind item; Fashion doll dressed in hand-crafted "Red Death" costume, inspired by the original costume design of Maria Björnson;
€ Black velvet "Phantom" scarf -- Unique hand-crafted black velvet scarf embossed with the Phantom mask;
€ Red velvet "Phantom" scarf -- "Christine, where is your red scarf? You can't have lost it?" Hand-crafted red velvet scarf embossed with the Phantom mask;
€ The Phantom of the Opera doll -- Hand-crafted figure of "The Phantom" dressed in tuxedo, cape and fedora, holding a skull staff;
€ Framed and autographed postcards of Mr. Paul Stanley as "The Phantom" -- set of six;
€ Framed and autographed poster -- One-of-a-kind item;
€ Framed print of the Paris Opera House -- framed print of a painting showing a setting of 19th century patrons in the grand foyer of the Théatre National de l'Opera Palais Garnier, setting of "Masquerade" in The Phantom of the Opera;
€ Lobby sign of Jeff Hyslop as "The Phantom" -- original lobby sign from the Pantages Theatre;
€ The "Last Kiss" denim jacket -- Presented to the cast by Mr. Paul Stanley upon his return to the role of "The Phantom." This blue denim jacket is embroidered with "The Phantom" logo and the words "The Last Kiss" on the back, and the "Phantom" mask with a KISS star eye and Paul Stanley's signature on the front. (Men's X-Large).
Auction items at Windsor Arms 11 PM:
€ An Evening with "Four Guys in the Chorus" -- an unforgettable evening of entertainment for your event with a quartet of "four guys" from Phantom's chorus;
€ A Victorian Christmas with the Opera Populaire's "Madame Giry" Kristina Marie Guiguet -- a special Christmas sing-along tailored to your gathering.
€ The "Hannibal" Poster -- "Lot 663" in the production, this poster is one of the actual props used in the Toronto production;
€ Christine's Cape -- a full length pale green silk cape with an attached hood originally worn by Rebecca Caine as Christine in the rooftop scene;
€ The 'Phantom's' Fedora -- a unique black wool felt fedora custom made for Colm Wilkinson;
€ A one-of-a-kind Paul Stanley Signature PS2000 Guitar emblazoned with The Phantom of the Opera logo and the Phantom mask with KISS star insignia and autographed by Paul Stanley;
€ An authentic Phantom mask autographed by Paul Stanley;
€ The Monkey Music Box -- "Lot 665" in the production, this is the actual prop used in the Toronto production of The Phantom of the Opera.
€ Christine's Bodice -- an actual costume from the "Il Muto" scene, the bodice is made of silk with hand-beaded and sequined imported English lace overlay;
€ Christine's Veil -- this delicate hand-stitched wedding veil was worn by Christine in the final scene of The Phantom of the Opera. The floral headpiece is decorated with organza rosettes and is trimmed with lace edging;
€ Raoul's Vest -- an original vest worn by David Rogers in the role of Raoul in the Toronto production of The Phantom of the Opera. This handsome men's double-breasted vest is made from imported English cream silk with braided trim on the lapels and pockets.
This is only a partial list. Many more items will be on display and available for bids in this unprecedented auction. A complete list is available by visiting the Windsor Arms Hotel, 18 St. Thomas St.
