Calgarian dons mask for Phantom of the Opera's final Broadway performance
Six weeks ago, stepping off the iconic Majestic Theatre stage in New York City, Laird Mackintosh thought he had donned the phantom's mask for the final time.
The Calgary-born actor joined The Phantom of the Opera production back in 2013, filling in on the lead role when needed.
But just as the show's 35-year run was coming to a close, the lead phantom developed a throat infection.
Mackintosh was called back for a final performance that he describes as surreal, a dream come true.
"It was a feeling of a great honour but also a bit of sadness, too. And very strange to be closing a show that felt like the biggest opening in the history of Broadway," he said in an interview on the Calgary Eyeopener.
"It's taken a massive, massive collective effort behind the scenes, and we've all had the feeling that we've been so fortunate to be a part of it and also doing something important and knowing that it's meaningful to people."
The longest-running musical in Broadway history closed on Sunday after 35 years, with nearly 14,000 performances and a gross of over a billion dollars.
LISTEN | Laird Mackintosh describes what it was like to be Broadway's final phantom:
Mackintosh got the call just a few days ago that he'd be playing the phantom for the last three performances.
"For the final performance, it was the alumni of the show for the last 35 years, including the original cast, and I think about 15 guys who played the phantom over the years," he said.
"Our composer, Andrew Lloyd Webber, was in the audience, and our producer Cameron Mackintosh. So it was quite an experience."
'Calgary's always my home'
Growing up in Calgary, Mackintosh said his parents were always fans of music.
He remembers his first performances happening as part of the school choir at Western Canada High School in the city's southwest.
"Calgary's always my home and very, very fond memories of living in Calgary and growing up there," he said.
Mackintosh spent time with the National Ballet of Canada before joining Toronto's cast of the Phantom in 1993. He played a variety of roles with the show before making the jump to the Broadway rendition, originally cast as Monsieur André, the owner of the opera.
The show's long run has contributed to the creation of a family on set — Mackintosh even met his wife through the production. Several other Canadians are also members of the former cast.
Tuesday afternoon, they're meeting at the theatre one last time to gather their belongings, Mackintosh said.
Ironically, the production's finale means Mackintosh is now looking for work. He says he's auditioning for other shows, and he'd love to take the stage on Broadway again.
"But you know, when you've had an opportunity like this, you kind of think, 'Boy, if that's the last thing I ever did, I know that I've had an incredibly blessed career in the theatre already.'"
