Andrew Lloyd Webber is at the point of no return.
Mayor Eric Adams presented the famous composer with a key to New 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.’ One of the longest-running performances is closing, but it gave us many years of just joy throughout the years,” gushed Adams outside the Majestic Theater on West 44th 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 New York in 1988.
“But you have brought us so much joy, so much happiness. I remember as a young person watching ‘Cats,’ one of the amazing performances on Broadway — you could bring ‘Cats’ back because we hate rats in New York,” Hizzoner joked ahead of the presentation.
This is only a wonderful moment for me. I, always since I was a little boy, loved musicals, and I’ve always loved American musicals in particular and I grew up really with the Rodgers and Hammerstein shows,” Lloyd Webber gushed.
“And to come to Broadway, I mean, was a great, great excitement for me…And so Broadway has always been my kind of dream, and as I have said quite brilliantly, that Broadway is the reason that so many people come to New York and I felt very, very much a part of the community, even 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 in the songsmith’s newest Broadway production “Bad Cinderella,” was also there.
“I still feel that this is the home of musicals and where I want to be,” Lloyd Webbd added.
He is also known for musicals “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” “Jesus Christ Superstar” — his first show that opened on Broadway – and “Evita.”
He’s received numerous 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.
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