The occasion was marked by assemblies of past actors who have portrayed the roles of "Christine" and "The Phantom" and speeches by some members of the creative team, including composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, director Hal Prince, choreographer Gillian Lynne, and producer Cameron Macintosh.

Check back later today for full coverage of the historic event.

At left, attending the record-breaking performance of The Phantom of the Opera: composer and producer Andrew Lloyd Webber with original star, Michael Crawford; Woman in White star Maria Friedman.

Below, from top to bottom: the cast of the current production of Phantom taking their curtain call at the record-breaking performance; Cats passing the torch to Phantom as the longest running show in Broadway; composer Andrew Lloyd Webber; past 'Christines' and 'Phantoms' taking their bows; Michael Crawford; choreographer Gillian Lynne, producer Cameron Macintosh, Andrew Lloyd Webber and director Hal Prince.

Photos by Aubrey Reuben