‘Phantom of the Opera’ celebrates 25 years with cinema broadcast

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Twenty-five years ago, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ had its world premiere in London, inaugurating what would eventually become a record-breaking run for a musical. Today, the show is still going strong in New York and London -- with an abridged version running in Las Vegas -- and has been seen by more than 100 million people around the world.

To celebrate the musical’s 25th anniversary, a performance of ‘Phantom’ will be broadcast to cinemas around the world on Sunday, with repeat screenings throughout October. It’s being recorded live at the Royal Albert Hall in London, and will star Ramin Karimloo in the title role and Sierra Boggess as Christine. The performance also will be released on DVD in November.

In Southern California, fans can catch the screenings at a number of cinemas throughout the area, including the AMC Burbank 16, AMC Century City 15, Regal Cinemas at LA Live in downtown and the AMC Citywalk at Universal City.

Sunday’s live broadcast is set to take place at 11 a.m. PT, with repeat screenings on Wednesday, Thursday and Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m.

‘Phantom’ opened on Broadway in 1988 and has played for more than 9,800 performances. The musical had a four-year run at the Ahmanson Theatre beginning in 1989. The most recent local engagement of ‘Phantom’ was in 2010 at the Pantages Theatre, when the Music Box touring company completed its run.

Webber’s sequel to ‘Phantom’ -- ‘Love Never Dies’ -- has had less luck at showbiz longevity. The musical received mixed-to-poor reviews when it opened in London in 2010. Since closing in London, a revised version of the show has opened in Australia. The sequel’s Broadway run was postponed last year and it remains unclear if and when it will make its U.S. debut.

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-- David Ng