Playbill: On April 16, The Phantom of the Opera is closing on Broadway after a historic 35-year run. To celebrate its legacy, we’re looking back on the musical's history. And we're answering a question you probably always had but didn’t know the answer to: Why is the mask in the musical’s logo a full face mask, when in the show, the Phantom wears a mask that covers only half his face? The answer is simple: Because the Phantom initially was supposed to wear a full mask onstage.
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As much as I love the show, I don’t really know all that much about Phantom of the Opera. This show has been running for what seems like forever, especially to people like me who were born 15 years into its run. Because it has had such a long run, it also has a very deep, rich history. I love learning more about this history behind the show. I had no idea that the iconic half mask was once a full face mask. Even though I’ve of course seen the marketing and the marquis that includes the old full mask, I’ve never really thought about it. However, from this article I am the most surprised about the live animals they wanted to include. The idea of having not just a horse on stage but a flock of live doves released into the audience seems completely absurd. While I think it would have been a true spectacle, I am very glad that to have not been pooped on when I went to see this show.
The article highlights the importance of branding in the entertainment industry. The article explains that the mask used in the iconic Phantom of the Opera logo is different from the mask worn by the actor in the stage production, and goes on to explore the reasons behind this branding decision.
The article underscores the fact that branding plays a critical role in shaping the public's perception of a production or company. A well-designed logo or brand can create a strong visual identity that resonates with audiences and helps to distinguish a production from its competitors. In the case of Phantom of the Opera, the distinctive mask logo has become synonymous with the show and is instantly recognizable to fans all over the world.
Furthermore, branding can be a powerful marketing tool that can help to attract new audiences and increase ticket sales. A well-designed logo and brand can create a sense of anticipation and excitement around a production, which can translate into higher attendance and revenue.
I have never seen Phantom ever, and it has been a dream of mine to see it. I have been heartbroken that it is finally leaving Broadway, but I never realized the history that is present in this musical.
This article outlines the different changes that were originally introduced at the start of the run, only to be forgotten or changed over time in rehearsal. The fact that the full mask was more complicated than it seemed proved that the half-mask was the best decision for the production. I personally like how the logo stands out at a full white mask and then in the show you only see half, making the Phantom much more creepy and disturbing in real-time.
I did not realize there were so many instances in this musical where real-life animals could be used, and I wonder why the original design team decided the addition of animals or robot rats were good ideas. Granted they never made it past the rehearsal process, but still, it seems like a large expense for a short moment in the musical.
The Phantom of the Opera will always be cherished and loved, even once it leaves Broadway, because of little stories like this one about all the small changes to the production.
This article was highly entertaining to me. With Phantom closing, I enjoyed getting to know more about the original ideas that were altered or scrapped. I have wondered before why the mask in the phantom logo was so different. I wonder though, why you see so little updated promotional material for it. When learning about the double-contact lense layering, I’m not surprised that the use had to be stopped. Wearing just one lenses an be uncomfortable enough for some people. But I don’t think its safe to wear two is it? It definitely doesn’t sound correct and I hope no harm was done due to his obstructed vision. Then for some reason a bunch of animal ideas were created for the show. I’m honestly surprised they even tested the dove idea, as no one can control where doves fly. This ideas were definitely best left on the cutting room floor.
It's so funny to see the remains of decisions from so long ago. I wonder if they realized the scale and success level the show would have if they had remade and re-marketed the show poster. I do like the poster design, though. Maybe it is just because I am used to it, but I feel as though it has a very classic look to it. The mask in that photo almost represents the phantom himself but also the traditional theatre masks because within the musical, there are shows being put on. It also subverts expectations in an interesting way and maybe humanizes the phantom even more than you may have when the show was first out go in expecting a very masked person and end up with a half maks half-human being, which is easier to connect to.
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