My last post on this didn’t get a ton of traction so I’m trying again. The latest budget proposal for NYC includes a $58.3 million cut to public libraries.
Previous cuts forced NYC public libraries to close on Sundays, and this further round of cuts would likely force libraries to end weekend service entirely. Additionally, it would mean further cuts to programming and the indefinite delay of reopening libraries that have been closed for renovation, which would leave entire neighborhoods without a library.
There is a preliminary budget hearing on May 21, and until then libraries are asking people to sign a letter here to urge the mayor’s office and city council to reverse the cuts.
I know things are terrible in a lot of ways right now and people probably feel overwhelmed and burnt out, but signing this letter (or reblogging this post) is a small, quick, concrete way to make a difference.
Looking for a way to warm up this winter? The New York Public Library is offering instant access to Heated Rivalry and the rest of the Game Changers series through February 14, 2026.
"The Phantom of the Opera" Original Broadway Cast Archive Footage
A full length production recording of the Original Broadway Cast (Michael Crawford, Sarah Brightman, Steve Barton) exists in the archive of the New York Public Library's Theatre on Film and Tape archive at Lincoln Center. It was filmed on May 25, 1988. In January 2026, I was fortunate enough to view this archived footage. You can read my detailed review of the performance, and how you might be able to view the video yourself, at the link below:
Original Broadway Cast Review by
Phantom on a Budget
Please read the Frequently Asked Questions below the cut.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. 𝙄𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙫𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙤 𝙖𝙫𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙫𝙞𝙖 𝘿𝙑𝘿 𝙤𝙧 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜?
No. You must physically view it at the New York Public Library (NYPL) Theatre on Film and Tape (TOFT) archive at Lincoln Center, New York City.
2. 𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙪𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚?
It is not being released, and likely never will be. The only way to view it is at the NYPL TOFT in NYC. It will not be released for home viewing (like the Royal Albert Hall anniversary concert) because this is meant for research and reference only. The recording is owned by NYPL, and Andrew Lloyd Webber/LW Entertainment has not authorized it ever being released.
3. 𝘾𝙖𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙚?
NO! Photographs and video recordings of this archived footage are strictly prohibited. If you are fortunate enough to see the video at TOFT, please follow the rules and DO NOT record or photograph. Doing so will ruin future access to the video at TOFT for the rest of us. Don’t be that guy.
4. 𝙒𝙝𝙤 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙚?
It is available to the public with NYPL library cards (which are available for free, even to non-NYC residents). However, TOFT is technically a restricted research archive. As such, please have a valid reason for your visit. Maybe you’re researching for an upcoming high school production. Or you’re researching for your own Phantom website or blog. Whether any of that is true is between you and whatever deity you subscribe to. Find a reason you can actually defend, and be professional when viewing the video. I listed “research” as my reason for the viewing; I was not asked at booking or on the day for additional information or justification.
5. 𝙒𝙝𝙮 𝙙𝙞𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙧𝙚𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙫𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙤?
I’m a career Phantom cosplayer, effects makeup artist, and wig maker. I have a public website with free costuming and makeup resources available, and have consulted on several school productions of the show over the years. Also I’m a huge phan and have always wanted to see it!
6. 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙚?
According to the NYPL website, you can only view the complete footage once. We were able to stop, rewind, and rewatch scenes multiple times to take notes during our viewing. That said, if there are legitimate reasons for an additional visit, it’s worth contacting TOFT to see if another viewing could be granted. I have not tried it yet as I only just saw it recently and I don’t need another viewing at this time.
7. 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙨𝙩?
It’s free! You only need to sign up online for a NYPL card and create a Special Collections account through TOFT. It takes about 15 minutes to sign up for these and book an appointment.
8. 𝙄’𝙢 𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙉𝙔𝘾 𝙨𝙤𝙤𝙣, 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙄 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙡𝙠 𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙧𝙚𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙞𝙩?
Technically, yes. You can theoretically sign up for the NYPL card and Special Collections account in person. But I do not recommend walking in without an appointment. Sign up for everything online and request an appointment ahead of time to make sure the media will be available when you need it.
HELP okay so I was on libby yesterday and noticed the nypl has an offer to check out the entire gamechangers series with no wait times or limited copies through valentines day:
so I took a screenshot to share with some friends and be like oh hey that’s cool, checked out heated rivalry to read later, and then largely forgot about it, was not expecting to be reminded today by. zohran mamdani.
