Andrew Lloyd Webber says immersive 'Phantom' show attempts something unprecedented

Andrew Lloyd Webber praised 'Masquerade,' an off‑Broadway immersive staging of The Phantom of the Opera that opened last fall; the production runs through Sept. 6 at 218 W. 57 Street and uses precise technical timing to guide audiences through multiple staged spaces.

An off‑Broadway production titled "Masquerade" transforms a Midtown storefront into an immersive version of the 19th‑century Paris Opera House. The show opened last fall and presents Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera in a roaming format that moves audiences through the Phantom's lair, a carnival sequence and rooftop scenes. Creators have reworked elements of the score and narrative, including placing the song "Learn to Be Lonely" with Madame Giry and adding scenes that ask for audience interaction. Andrew Lloyd Webber praised the production's minute timing and technical coordination and said he enjoyed the adventurous staging. What we know: - "Masquerade" is an off‑Broadway immersive production of The Phantom of the Opera that opened last fall in Midtown Manhattan. - The production is scheduled to run through Sept. 6 at 218 W. 57 Street. - Six different casts perform concurrently each night, guiding audiences through multiple staged spaces including the Phantom's underground lair and rooftop areas. - The show includes a carnival sideshow sequence that reframes the Phantom's early life and invites varying audience responses. - The song "Learn to Be Lonely" was repurposed for Madame Giry and is used near the end of the evening as audiences leave. - Andrew Lloyd Webber described the staging's precise timing and technical work as an extraordinary feat. Summary: "Masquerade" reshapes familiar elements of The Phantom of the Opera to emphasize the Phantom's backstory and to create a participatory atmosphere for audience members. The production's technical complexity and new musical placements have drawn attention from its creators and from Andrew Lloyd Webber. The run is set to continue through Sept. 6 at 218 W. 57 Street.