Saying Farewell: 'Phantom of the Opera' Ends 35-Year Broadway Run.

After 35 years and nearly 14,000 performances, "Phantom of the Opera" takes its final bow on Broadway. The longest-running show on Broadway always seemed like a stable presence on West 44th Street, but it became impossible for such a lavish production to maintain its place on Broadway without losing money. No one took the news harder than "Phantom's" most devoted fans – or "phans," rather. Many of them have seen the show dozens or even hundreds of times. They've followed the show around the country and world, and some have even scored tickets to "Phantom's" final performance on Sunday night.