Take a trip back to January 1988 in New York, where a new musical called The Phantom of the Opera would soon take over the Majestic Theatre after becoming an instant sensation across the pond in London's West End. CBS Sunday Mornings interviewed Hal Prince two days ahead of its opening night, and many of his answers regarding the impact of Phantom ring true today. Watch the video above.
"Why has Phantom of the Opera lasted? What is it that's been the pull on people? Well, it certainly isn't 'boo, I scared you.' It's psychological," shares Prince. At the time, Phantom "lasting" referred to its one-and-a-half year-long run in London, but his words couldn't have more accurately predicted Phantom's future on Broadway. He went on to describe that Phantom connects with people based on how people respond to the story of the Phantom and his strife, and that it's not the fear that inspires audiences to fall in love with the production, but the tragedy.
He notes that had Phantom originally opened on Broadway, it may not have fared as well, explaining that it's no coincidence nearly all of the "mega-musicals" of the 1980s originated in the West End. "It would be too expensive to mount originally in the United States...You have to do them in England where they cost less than a third as much to do, and then have them work as well as this one has, and then, of course, no one minds the major investment it will be here," he describes.
The interview also includes rehearsal footage, which shows Prince coaching Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman through "Music of the Night," as well as the Managers through "Notes."
As Phantom of the Opera's April 16 Broadway closing night approaches, we'll be thinking of Hal Prince fondly, and his role in shaping Phantom's long-lasting legacy in theatre history.
