Michael Crawford "PHANTOM OF THE OPERA" Feb. 1988 Lambda Legal Defense Playbill

Description

This is a rare February 8th, 1988 playbill (with a special insert) from the opening weeks of the Original Broadway production of the landmark ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER, RICHARD STILGOE and CHARLES HART musical "THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA" at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. (
The production opened January 26th, 1988 and has announced a February 18th, 2023 closing after 13,765 performances. It is, by over 3,500 performances, the longest-running show in Broadway history
.
) ..... The
Benefit Performance aided the LAMBDA Legal Defense and Education Fund which was observing 15 years as the nation's oldest and largest organization devoted to the rights of America's Lesbian and Gay communities.
The musical starred Tony Award winner MICHAEL CRAWFORD in the title role, SARAH BRIGHTMAN as "Christine Daae" and
STEVE BARTON as "Raoul"
and featured JUDY KAYE (Tony Award winner), CRIS GROENENDAAL, NICHOLAS WYMAN, LEILA MARTIN, DAVID ROMANO, ELISA HEINSOHN, PATTI COHENOUR, REBECCA LUKER, CHARLES RULE, GEORGE LEE ANDREWS and NICOLE FOSSE ..... Side Note: On January 9th, 2006,
The Phantom of the Opera
became the longest-running musical in Broadway history, surpassing the previous record held by
Cats
.
The Phantom of the Opera
was honored with seven 1988 Tony Awards including "Best Musical" ..... CREDITS: Music by ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER ("Jesus Christ Superstar", "Evita", "Cats", "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat", "Song and Dance", "Starlight Express", "The Phantom of the Opera", "Aspects of Love", "Jeeves", "Sunset Boulevard", "School of Rock"); Book by ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER and RICHARD STILGOE based on the novel by GASTON LEROUX; Lyrics by CHARLES HART; Additional Lyrics by RICHARD STILGOE; Sets and Costumes designed by MARIA BJORNSON; Choreographed by GILLIAN LYNNE; Directed by HAROLD PRINCE; Produced by CAMERON MACKINTOSH and THE REALLY USEFUL THEATRE COMPANY ..... DETAILS: The 84 page playbill measures 5 5/8" X 8 1/2" inches and includes full production credits, cast list, synopsis of scenes, list of musical numbers, bios of each of the leading actors and members of the creative team, individual head shots of the leading actors and five production photos. Includes a single page insert with acknowledgements of those responsible for the success of this benefit performance
..... CONDITION: (Please Note!) There are tiny pin holes in all four corners, slight discoloration to some pages and clipped corners to the back cover. Despite these flaws, this rare playbill will make a wonderful addition to the collection of any musical theatre aficionado or historian. This item will be carefully packaged in a protective, carded sleeve and backed by stiff cardboard.