'Phantom of the Opera' marking 10,000 shows in NYC - WSJ.com

'Phantom of the Opera' marking 10,000 shows in NYC - WSJ.com

Interestingly enough, I have a very oblique memory-connection to this mega-hit.

Hal Prince

In the mid-80s, when I was playwright-in-residence at the New Rose Theatre, my play about Moliere, The Comedian In Spite of Himself (which later became Sad Laughter), premiered. In the audience one night was a NY actress (whose name escapes me now). She was so impressed with the play that she talked it up to her producer-friend Hal Prince. She wanted him to bring it to NY and she wanted to play in it.

So he asked to see a script. She got a script from the theater and sent it to Prince.

Some time later I received a note from him. He liked the play, called it "first rate work," but passed because one, he didn't respond obsessively enough to it, and two, he was already obsessed with a big new show he was getting ready. Yep. Phantom of the Opera.

Obviously he made the right choice ha ha. At the same time, it's satisfying to receive a compliment from such a major theatrical producer. Compliments and a buck will get you a cup of coffee (if you know where to go).