Estate / Collection: Property of Technical Production Manager Jake Bell

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

Original Production Script for The Phantom of the Opera with the Technical Production Manager’s Annotations. The Technical Production Manager Jake Bell’s annotated script for the first Broadway production of The Phantom of the Opera, the title page headed in ink "Jake's script" and in type "New York Production," under the credits on the title the addresses of the London based "Really Useful Group" and New York based "Cameron Mackintosh Productions" are printed. Within, the printed pages of the script are annotated in pencil and typed notes in the margins, most sheets are backed or interleaved with either music of Jake Bell's print outs of computerized cues for rollers, auto-fly, traps, etc. The script is about 120 leaves, many being backed by other printed and marked up sheets. Housed in a black three-hole binder with related production instruction in the front folder titled "Stage Right Preset" and "Deck Cues," an opening night Playbill dated 26 January 1988, and a stage-used Phantom dummy finger. The title page somewhat spotted, other stray stains, wear from use, light spotting and soiling.

The present script is a remarkable artifact of one of the most technically challenging and crowd pleasing musicals in Broadway history. As described in his notes below, Technical Production Manager Jake Bell was instrumental in raising - and crashing down - the famous Phantom chandelier at the Majestic Theatre on Broadway and on numerous tours. Jake's annotations and the additional inserted material here not only provides the script but also the technical cues for the monkey music box ("Warn Monkey," "Monkey Go") and the pyrotechnics for when the chandelier is first raised. As noted below, as one of the first shows to incorporate a computer system, the instructions captured in this script for that early system is quite interesting. A very important original production script wth annotations for one of Broadway's best-loved and longest running musicals.

Technical Production Manager Jake Bell's Notes on The Phantom of the Opera:

This script comes from the archives of Jake Bell, Technical Production Manager for The Phantom of the Opera from its first year on Broadway to its closing in April 2023 as the longest running musical in Broadway history at 13,981 performances. Jake Bell had been with Phantom from the beginning, having been first hired by British Producer Cameron Mackintosh for the Broadway production in 1988 and continuing through decades of national and international tours. The show’s technical requirements were so advanced that many theaters had to undergo extensive renovations to accommodate it. An excavator was brought in to dig the basement 10 feet deeper, allowing the candles and candelabras—212 in total—to rise seamlessly from the stage floor. The expanded basement also provided space for a trap door, a retractable staircase, and the rising Paris Opera House roof dome. Further, steel support structures were installed to hold the massive proscenium and chandelier both of which hung over the audience. Suspended above the audience, the chandelier dramatically crashed onto the stage in one of the show’s most spectacular effects. The original Broadway chandelier remained in use throughout the show’s 35-year run. It was never replaced, thanks to meticulous maintenance—including rewiring, re-welding, replacing globes, repainting, and continuous cleaning. The chandelier was named “Ruthie II” after its London counterpart, “Ruthie I.” The name was in honor of Ruth Mitchell, Hal Prince’s formidable assistant, who was known for her strong personality and unmatched dedication.

At the Majestic Theatre on 44th Street, Phantom was one of the first major productions to incorporate a fully computer-automated system. With 52 computer operated automated effects controlling both the deck scenery and fly system, manual operation would have been impossible due to the sheer volume of simultaneous cues. Computerization became essential.

The show’s costumes were equally legendary. The beading, fabric selections, and intricate designs were breathtaking. The Masquerade Ball scene alone featured 50-60 costumes, with some discreetly placed on mannequins to enhance the grandeur. Christine’s wedding dress bustle weighed nearly 35 pounds. The U.S. National Tour required 1.5 full 48-foot tractor-trailers solely for transporting costumes. With its technical achievements, Phantom became a global phenomenon, captivating audiences across the world.