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Small metal piece on crystal chandelier hides 40-year 'Phantom of the Opera' legend

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A small metal piece engraved with "Hal" is embedded in the crystal chandelier used in the musical "The Phantom of the Opera" during its Taiwan tour.
  • This detail serves as a tribute to the musical's original director, Harold Prince, who passed away in 2019.
  • The musical, which premiered in 1986, continues to be a global success, with its Taiwan run selling out.

The iconic crystal chandelier, a centerpiece of "The Phantom of the Opera," holds a hidden tribute to the musical's legendary director, Harold Prince. During the show's current Taiwan tour, stage manager Sandie Bekavac revealed a small metal piece engraved with "Hal" attached to the chandelier's frame.

This detail honors Harold Prince, the acclaimed American Broadway director and producer who brought "The Phantom of the Opera" to the stage in 1986 alongside composer Andrew Lloyd Webber. Prince's vision was instrumental in shaping the musical's memorable stagecraft, including the famous chandelier crash and the boat sequences in the underground labyrinth.

The chandelier itself, weighing hundreds of kilograms, was produced in 2019, the same year Prince passed away. The "Hal" engraving was added to the oval frame as a commemorative gesture to the influential director. The musical, which premiered in London's West End in 1986, has enjoyed a 40-year global run, with its current Taiwan engagement marking its fifth tour and consistently selling out performances.

Hal

— Engraving on metal pieceThe small metal piece embedded in the crystal chandelier is engraved with 'Hal'.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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