Andrew Lloyd Webber is at the purpose of no return.
Mayor Eric Adams presented the famous composer with a key to Latest York City Friday, ahead of this weekend’s curtain call for the “Phantom of the Opera” – Broadway’s longest-running show.
“I grew up on his plays and the performances from ‘Phantom of the Opera.’ Considered one of the longest-running performances is closing, however it gave us a few years of just joy throughout the years,” gushed Adams outside the Majestic Theater on West forty fourth Street.
“Phantom” will close this Sunday, April 16 after a 35-year-long run on Broadway.
The show first appeared in London’s West End in 1986 before coming to Latest York in 1988.
“But you might have brought us a lot joy, a lot happiness. I remember as an adolescent watching ‘Cats,’ one in all the amazing performances on Broadway — you would bring ‘Cats’ back because we hate rats in Latest York,” Hizzoner joked ahead of the presentation.
This is barely an exquisite moment for me. I, at all times since I used to be a little bit boy, loved musicals, and I’ve at all times loved American musicals particularly and I grew up really with the Rodgers and Hammerstein shows,” Lloyd Webber gushed.
“And to come back to Broadway, I mean, was an excellent, great excitement for me…And so Broadway has at all times been my type of dream, and as I actually have said quite brilliantly, that Broadway is the explanation that so many individuals come to Latest York and I felt very, very much a component of the community, though I’m British.”
Lloyd Webber was joined at Friday’s event by his ex-wife, singer Sarah Brightman, who originated the role of Christine Daae in “Phantom’s” West End and Broadway debuts.
Linedy Genao, the leading lady within the songsmith’s newest Broadway production “Bad Cinderella,” was also there.
“I still feel that that is the house of musicals and where I need to be,” Lloyd Webbd added.
He can be known for musicals “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” “Jesus Christ Superstar” — his first show that opened on Broadway – and “Evita.”
He’s received quite a few awards, including six Tony awards, three Grammys, Oscars, Emmys and was even knighted by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 1992.
He was struck by personal tragedy last month when the songwriter’s son, Nicolas Webber, died of gastric cancer at age 43.
