http://www.youtube.com/v/n5dhyiqhR7Y?version=3&Number 38 : Phantom of the Opera(28 points on 3 of 12 lists. Top Vote #10 by Monty)Synopsis:A French opera house has been plagued by a series of misfortunes, which the performers blame on a mysterious phantom. One of the star performers, Carlotta, quits in response to the accidents and the owners of the house reluctantly cast a chorus girl, Christine, to replace the star. To everyone's surprise, she excels. Christine credits her success to an Angel of Music who has taught her to sing. But the Angel is secretly the Phantom, who guides her to his domain under the opera house.
Back at the opera house, Carlotta demands to be reinstated in the lead role, but the Phantom warns them via note of dire consequences should Christine lose the role. They ignore the request and the Phantom strikes, destroying Carlotta's voice and absconding with Christine, who is rescued by her old friend, Raoul, who declares his love for her. The Phantom hears this and flees, heartbroken.
Months later, the Phantom returns, having written a play, which he demands be produced immediately and to star Christine. To everyone's shock, it's a musical version of Twilight. Raoul plans to use the play as a trap to catch the Phantom. Christine visits the grave of her father, but the Phantom sets fire to the graveyard. Since apparently those can burn. Er, yeah. The play is performed, and to Christine's shock , her co-star has been murdered and replaced by the Phantom. He seizes her and flees to his hideout. Raoul pursues her, but is captured by the Phantom who tells Christine that he will slay Raoul unless she agrees to stay with him forever. She shows the Phantom kindness and he sets them both free. They leave as the mob searching for the Phantom arrives. But the Phantom has disappeared, leaving behind only his mask. But he later returns to battle Kiss while trying to take over a California amusement park....
Memorable Songs:As one of the most performed musicals of all time, one or two of the songs might be familiar to most folks. The title song, Phantom of the Opera, "All I Ask of You", "Think of Me" and one or two more might be familiar to folks.
Awards:Tonys, Olivier awards and a gazillion more.
Trivia Notes: An estimated 130,000,000 people have seen Phantom performed. And it's been performed in 27 countries and in 145 cities. It is currently the highest grossing musical of all time, with receipts of $5.6 billion, although it is expected to be surpassed soon by Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel.
Roger Waters believes that part of Phantom's title song was plagarized from his song, Echoes, but has never pursued legal action believing that "Life's too short to bother with suing Andrew Lloyd fucking Webber."
An actual sequel to Phantom, called "Love Never Dies" was released and performed in 2010, but has received rather mixed reviews. The most recent performances in Copenhagen closed last month.
Coming Soon:Okay, do I pick the video with good sound but that's not in synch with the audio, the one that's in synch, but filmed via someone's cell or an AMV of this, which has nothing to do with the musical? Hmmm.....
Well, I pick a different song, which still has a lousy video.