This week's stream is another all time fan favorite, featuring John Cudia wielding his Red Death cape like a wet towel in a locker room. Also a former Christine (on the same tour in fact), Kimilee Bryant, following the Christine to Carlotta pipeline with her appearance as Carlotta in this performance. And, of course, Jackhammer Meg!
Each week I try to post a bit about where each production we stream fits in time, in space (location) and in Phantom history. In the eight streams I have hosted so far, we have stuck firmly to the 2000's, and our locations have been London, Broadway, Copenhagen, France, China (current World Tour stops), various US city stops on past US tours, and actual Hell (Spiritual Twist). With the exception of Spiritual Twist (the only way in which that production is exceptional) all the versions we have watched since June 13, 2026 have been versions of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical.
London/West End: In ALW Phantom history, we are presently in the 40th anniversary year of this iteration of Phantom of the Opera, which had its first preview September 27, 1986 at Her Majesty's Theatre in London, England. The official opening night at Her Majesty's was October 8, 1986.
New York/Broadway: First preview on Broadway was on January 9, 1988, with an official premiere date of January 26, 1988.
With both the London and Broadway shows running, a series of tours was launched. This stream note discusses what are referred to as the US National Tours (although I am still not certain if there may have been a few Canadian stops here and there, still trying to find this out.)
First US National Tour: Christine Tour or Christine Company. Launched May 18, 1989. Final Performance January 3, 1999. Although billed as a national tour, it played in two cities only, Los Angeles and San Francisco. 3,092 performances. Replica of original staging.
Second National Tour: Raoul Tour or Raoul Company. Launched May 22, 1990. Final Performance November 15, 1998. Played major markets for a total of 3,364 performances. Replica of original staging.
Third National Tour: Music Box Tour or Music Box Company. Launched December 13, 1992. Final Performance October 31, 2010. Played major markets for a total of 7,284 performances. Replica of original staging.
This whole post started with attempting to answer the question of why the Third National Tour was called the Music Box Tour. In an article from the LA Times, July 22, 1994, "O.C. Theater: 'Phantom' Flexes Its Muscles" by Jan Herman, I find an answer:
You know the show that opens Sunday for a six-week stand at the Orange County Performing Arts Center as “The Phantom of the Opera.” But the troupe for this national touring production thinks of itself as “The Music Box Company.”
The name, chosen by producer Cameron Macintosh [sic], suggests a delicate object tinged with nostalgia and romance. It refers to one of the most evocative elements in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s pop opera: the Phantom’s papier-mache music box with its little monkey on top and “Masquerade,” its haunting little tune, inside.
The box becomes a poignant symbol of the disfigured Phantom’s obsessive love for the beautiful young opera singer Christine, who is torn between him and the handsome Viscount Raoul de Chagny. The reason for the company name, however, is more practical than poetic.
According to Bill Miller, a spokesman for the show, Macintosh [sic] wanted to distinguish this production from his two other road versions now playing in the United States. The “Phantom” in San Francisco, which opened last Christmas after running for 4 1/2 years at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, is called “The Christine Company.” The “Phantom” in Boston, on a 19-city tour that began 4 1/2 years ago in Chicago, is “The Raoul Company.”
(Still not sure why the first two tours were named Christine and Raoul though!)
Fourth National Tour: Commonly referred to as the Restaged Tour. Launched November 27, 2013. Final performance February 2, 2020. Played major markets, including at least one stop in Canada (Toronto). I was unable to locate the total performances number for this tour. It is called the Restaged because it is not an exact replica of the original London/Broadway staging. More forthcoming on this tour and staging.
Fifth National Tour: The Box Five Tour or Box Five Company. Launched November 7, 2025. Currently ongoing. Called on the official site a North American Tour, but has not as yet played any cities outside of the US. Celebrated 300 performances August 6, 2026. West End (London) Revival staging. More forthcoming on this tour and staging.
And there you have a brief history of US Tours of Phantom, in preparation for watching a performance this Saturday from the Third US Tour as performed by (say it with me) the Music Box Company!
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This particular final lair boot of Hugh's is one of my favorites. I feel like because he's with Lisa, he was cooking with a little extra something in the sauce
