Andrew Lloyd Webber honored his son, who died a month earlier, during the final Broadway performance of The Phantom of the Opera.
After 35 years, the curtain closed on Sunday for the New York production of Broadway’s longest-running show. In a video shared by the Associated Pressaudience members and cast and crew members could be seen cheering as confetti streamed down around them.
The footage also includes an onstage speech from the Oscar-winning composer, who said, “I hope you don’t mind if I dedicate this performance to my son. … When he was a little boy, he heard some of this music.”
According to the AP, the composer’s ex-wife, Sarah Brightman, who was also an original cast member in the production, added: “When Andrew was writing it, he was there, so his soul is with us. Nick, we love you very much.”
In March, Lloyd Webber missed opening night of the Broadway musical Bad Cinderella after revealing that his oldest son was Nicholas Lloyd Webber “seriously ill” with stomach cancer. Just over a week later, he announced that his son died after an 18-month battle at the age of 43.
“I am shocked to have to announce that my beloved eldest son Nick passed away a few hours ago at Basingstoke Hospital,” Lloyd Webber said at the time. “His whole family is together and we are all totally robbed. Thank you for all your thoughts during this difficult time.”
Apart from the final ghost of the opera performance Sunday’s party night also included a red carpet, performances by original cast members and producer Cameron Mackintosh, and an after party.
