Phantom of the Opera: Longest Running Broadway Show

Jan 9, 2006: Today marks the day that the Phantom of the Opera surpasses Cats as the longest-running show in Broadway's history.

Sarah's fans are no doubt aware that she is still inextricably linked to both landmark musicals, even though she has since gone on to become one of the pioneers and leading forces of the "classical crossover" movement.

Sarah played the role of Jemima in the original London cast of Cats. A few years later, she of course starred as Christine in Phantom, which was written expressly for her by her then-husband, Andrew Lloyd Webber. Sarah originated the role of Christine in the West End in 1986, and a year later, on Broadway as well.

The rest, as they say, is history. Phantom is, by far, the most successful entertainment venture of all time. Its worldwide box office receipts of more than $3.2 billion eclipses the $1.2 billion for Titanic, the world’s highest-grossing film. Phantom has chalked up a worldwide audience of more than 80 million people, and has been performed over 65,000 times in 119 cities across 24 countries. 
 
New Year's Eve Concert in Beijing

Top Party leaders Jia Qinglin and Li Changchun joined an audience of over 6,000 on Saturday evening at the 2006 Beijing New Year Concert, and British soprano Sarah Brightman shone on the stage with her repertoire "Time To Say Goodbye."

Along with other audience, the two leaders warmly applauded the excellent performance of the musicians throughout the concert, held in the Great Hall of the People in the heart of Beijing.

Ten years after its debut, the Beijing New Year Concert has become a major cultural festivity of the city every year.

Released Love Changes Everything: The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection Vol. 2 on October 25, 2005.  The disc features 6 previously unreleased tracks and duets with Cliff Richard, Michael Ball, and John Barrowman.

Complete Track List:

"Probably on Thursday" (lyric by Tim Rice) - previously unreleased
"The Perfect Year" (Sunset Boulevard) - previously unreleased
"Love Changes Everything" (Aspects of Love) - previously unreleased
"Only You" (Starlight Express)- duet with Cliff Richard
"Seeing is Believing" (Aspects of Love)- duet with Michael Ball, previously unreleased
"Think of Me" (Phantom of the Opera)- duet with Steve Barton
"Any Dream Will Do" (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat)
"I Don't Know How to Love Him" (Jesus Christ Superstar)
"Too Much In Love To Care" (Sunset Boulevard)- duet with John Barrowman, previously unreleased
"The Phantom of the Opera" (Phantom of the Opera) - duet with Steve Harley
"Make Up My Heart" (Starlight Express) - previously unreleased
"No Llores Por Mi Argentina" (Evita)- Spanish language version of "Don't Cry For Me Argentina"
"Everything's Alright" (Jesus Christ Superstar)
"Whistle Down the Wind" (Whistle Down the Wind)