There are moments in life that are wrapped in forever memories. Taking two of my grandchildren to New York City to see The Phantom of the Opera is one of them. I gave each of them an opportunity to choose a musical or play to see and my granddaughter who was still a little girl at the time picked Phantom without hesitation. Her cousin, a boy only a year older, went along with the idea in a gentlemanly fashion even though I think he was a bit hesitant about spending several hours watching a show that did not sound particularly appealing. 

On the appointed evening we dressed to the nines with instructions from our granddaughter who wanted to make a grand entrance in her very best dress. After dinner at Junior’s in Times Square we lined up for the show, buying our granddaughter a special program. As we waited to be let inside she eagerly browsed through the pages explaining who the characters were to her cousin and heightening the expectations for all of us. 

The theater was not large so our seats were quite near the stage. We chatted and smiled as the lights eventually dimmed. After a brief scene at an auction, a chandelier came up for sale and with it an organ boomed out the opening strains of music that would enchant us all throughout the rest of the eveningl. Later over chocolate cake our grandson exclaimed, “They had me as soon as the organ played and the chandelier rose above the audience.”

In the ensuing years The Phantom of the Opera closed on Broadway but it has continued showing in the West end of London for over fifty years. I knew that I had to see this remarkable show in the theater where the story first unfolded and captivated audiences across the globe. On a rainy Friday night my husband and I dressed in our best one more time so that we might take a photo to later share our grand adventure in London with our granddaughter who is now a grown adult. 

We took an Uber from our hotel to the theater and waited outside, first in line under a drizzle that did not dampen our enthusiasm. We were as giddy as my granddaughter had been in the long ago. After what seemed like forever the doors finally opened and we headed upstairs to our seats. 

First we made a stop to have our picture taken in front of a wall of red roses. Then we procured some wine, purchased a program and headed to our seats which turned out to be absolutely perfect. Their location allowed us to snap several photos before the show started and cameras would be prohibited.

In the meantime we met the people sitting around us who seemed to be from places all over the world including some as far away as New Zealand. Unbelievably some of them had never before seen the musical or even listened to the music. We assured them that they would be mesmerized by what they were about to see. 

The scenery was more elaborate than what I had viewed on Broadway and the cast was equal to the best of the best who had performed the lines, songs and dances. The show was every bit as good as I had hoped it would be. The wonder of it was so enormous for me that my emotions got carried away and I cried several times.

Knowing that I was literally in the birthplace of The Phantom of the Opera was the highlight of my trip to London. I don’t know if and when The Phantom will one day close but The Mousetrap has continuously run in London for over seventy years. Perhaps my all time favorite musical will also have the same staying power. Seeing the musical in the place where it first enchanted the world is a treat that everyone should enjoy if given the opportunity. 

I will be thinking about that glorious evening on a rainy night in London for many years to come. Some things are so special that they touch our hearts forever. I can hear that organ and feel the tug on my feelings that the music always creates. The pathos of the characters is unmatched in the arts. The lyricism of the songs is pure brilliance from Andrew Lloyd Weber. I hope that one day I might be able to bring my two grown grandchildren to see the majesty of it all over again.