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The NMACC marks its second anniversary with the iconic musical.
‘The Phantom of the Opera,’ famed as the longest-running musical on Broadway, made its India debut at The Grand Theatre at Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre on March 5. NMACC brought Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 70 major theatrical award-winning production to India, marking the Cultural Centre’s second anniversary and setting a new milestone for its audience with ‘the world’s best-loved musical’.
Welcoming everyone on the occasion, Mrs. Nita Ambani said, “We have completed two incredible years. I made a promise when we inaugurated NMACC that we will get the best of India to the world and the best of the world to India. And today we have the iconic The Phantom of The Opera, right here, in India, at our own Cultural Centre. It cannot get bigger and better than this! Also, in September this year, we are taking the NMACC Cultural Weekend to New York at the Lincoln Center. Thank you so much for always supporting the Cultural Centre.”
Based on Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel Le Fantôme de L’Opéra, the Gothic romance-laced musical tells the story of a mysterious masked figure who lurks beneath the Paris Opera House. Filled with elements of passion, horror, and tragedy, ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ is known for its haunting musical score. The opening night saw Mrs. Ambani share memorable moments with Lady Madeleine Lloyd Webber, Director and Vice Chairman of the Really Useful Group, who gifted her a rare souvenir – one of the first-ever masks worn by the Phantom when the musical debuted in 1986.
Renowned Personalities Such as AR Rahman, Sivamani, Suryakumar Yadav, Jackie Shroff, Lillete Dubey, Kavita Krishnamurti and L. Subramania, Ishaan Khattar, Tara Sutaria, Bosco Martis and others Also Gathered to Witness the Historic Moment.
The night was filled with old-world romance as the Cultural Centre decked up in baroque décor that included a statement photobooth at Dhirubhai Ambani Square. Guests were also greeted with the Phantom’s signature red rose. Inside The Grand Theatre, many a gasp were reserved for the musical’s spectacular sets, with the audience humming along to timeless tracks like ‘Music of the Night’, ‘All I Ask of You’, ‘Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again’, ‘Masquerade’ and the famous title overture, ‘The Phantom of the Opera’.
Guests also indulged in an exclusive store offering curated Phantom merchandise, as well as a special beverage menu at NMACC Arts Cafe featuring themed cocktails such as ‘Christine’s Rose’, ‘The Phantom’s Lair’, and ‘The Angel’s Veil’.
Since its premiere at London’s West End in 1986 and its Broadway debut at the Majestic Theatre in 1988, ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ has enthralled over 160 million people across 195 cities in 21 languages worldwide.
Delhi, India, India
