Entertainment

by Dana Tyler
NEW YORK (CBS) ― On January 9, 2006, "The Phantom of the Opera" becomes the longest running show in Broadway history, surpassing "Cats" with performance number 7,486.

CBS2's Dana Tyler goes behind the scenes and into the Phantom's dressing room for a look at the seemingly endless fascination with the man behind the mask.

After a world premiere in London, "The Phantom of the Opera" opened at Broadway's Majestic Theatre on January 26th, 1988. It swept the Tony Awards that season with seven, including Best Musical and Best Lead Actor: Michael Crawford as the Phantom.

Nearly 18 years and 12 Phantoms later, the Phantom-philes have never stopped buying tickets. The splashy musical featuring the spectacular chandelier has raked in $600 million, making it the highest grossing production in Broadway history. The venerable show is poised to lead the pack of "Oh! Calcutta!" "A Chorus Line," "Les Miserables," and now "Cats" as the longest running show in Broadway history.

And to mark the performance milestone, the original creative team of producer Cameron McIntosh, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and director Harold Prince invited back the guy who's worn the mask longer than any other actor, Howard McGillin, who played the Phantom for three-and-a-half years.

Tyler spoke with the California native in his dressing room and asked him, "What is it about this show that resonates year after year?" McGillin said, "I think it's the story, the music, the theatricality of it. And we can all identify with this guy. He's a tortured soul. We can feel for him, not to get to deep about it, but we all wear our masks during our lives."

McGillin, who was nominated for Tony Awards for his roles in "Anything Goes" and "The Mystery of Edwin Drood," first played the Phantom in 1999. The story takes place in the Paris Opera House as the dark and mysterious man haunts people and falls madly in love with an innocent young soprano.

McGillin told Tyler, "It's an honor to be a part of the show and to be the longest running Phantom is great little notch in the belt. But it started as an extremely arduous physical task of a lot of things people don't see to get the special effects to happen".

Climbing ladders, falling through trap doors, being lowered from the rafters, that's just the logistical side of the Phantom. Then there's delivering that fan-favorite music. You know that signature song "The Music of the Night"? McGillin, a strong tenor, said, "The Music of the Night" is extremely difficult. "Technically, it requires support and breath control. And at the same time you're singing a gorgeous melody."

But, smiling, McGillin said, " It's quite a thrill!" On stage, McGillin slowly and crisply sings, "Nighttime sharpens, heightens each sensation. Darkness stirs and wakes imagination…."

Ah, but the Phantom's just another pretty face until Thelma Pollard gets her hands on him. The actor has sat in her chair more than 1200 times...so far. He starts with protective wax on his face before she adds the glue, latex facial pieces and creamy makeup. The Barbados-native has transformed every single Phantom for 18 years.

Tyler, sitting on the counter in the tiny room, watching Pollard at work, asked her if it's a joy every time. Pollard quickly answered with a smile, "Yes, it is a joy. I try to make everything that I do joyful."

Years ago, Pollard practiced on her relatives before she studied hair and make-up and turned professional. She worked Broadway's "The Wiz" and then, there was no looking back. Pollard has the Phantom's make-up down from two hours to a little more than an hour. She's proud, cheerful and diligent.

Tyler said, "It's you out there even though it's the actor; it's your work, it's your reputation, right?" Pollard, as she trimmed McGillin's skintight bald cap responded, "You want to make sure it looks good. Other artists of your field will see your work, plus the audience can't tell: Is it a bald cap? Is it prosthetic pieces? Or, was the man just born like this?"

McGillin, sitting so still as she worked on him, snickered as he gradually gets in the zone for his role.

Meanwhile, next door, Tyler meets J.C. Sheets, who's been in charge of the Phantom's wardrobe for the past eight years. He shows Tyler the Phantom's costumes and pulls one of the black sparkly capes out. "This is what he wears as the angel when he drops down from the ceiling and as he goes, it flows out in the air and it's very mysterious," Sheets says.

As McGillin sweeps in from the stage, Sheets has every button, snap and velcro strip in the Phantom's rapid costume changes down to a science. The dresser shows Tyler a huge, feathered hat that Phantom wears for the masquerade as Red Death, a 14th century knight. Who can resist that elaborate getup? Sheets placed the hat on Tyler's head and she laughed as it weighed her down.

Back in the makeup chair, Pollard has moved on to some dramatic colors for the Phantom's face and Sheets comes in with the actor's microphone harness. McGillin, patiently sitting as the two work on him, said, "The secret of the microphone is now revealed. It's glued to my face, just like everything is glued to me!"

This trio is used to working together in tight quarters and under the time clock. The finishing touches include two hairpieces before the stage, television and film actor has completely channeled his inner Phantom. And although he's done this more than a thousand times, this longest-running Phantom says you can't help but keep each performance fresh.

"The thing about this part is that it's a great ride," McGillin said. "It's like a roller coaster. There's a great deal of emotional angst and carrying on but it's also cathartic and you really feel like you've worked something out. You're left like a limp rag, but it's a good feeling."

Pollard has completed the grotesque left side of his face, which will be covered by the Phantom's famous mask. And McGillin is ready and proud, once again, to work in a musical seen by millions as it continues to make Broadway history with record-breaking performance number 7,486 and beyond.

"The Phantom of the Opera" is at the Majestic Theatre.

(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.)