The chandelier in “The Phantom of the Opera” is much more than just a prop.

It is the centerpiece of the story that has been bringing back theatergoers for 35 years.

Head electrician Alan Lampel is the man who keeps this prop shining.

What You Need To Know

  • It is the centerpiece of the story that has been bringing back theatergoers for 35 years.

  • The chandelier has 30,000 beads, weighs one ton and has made many trips up and down the theater’s proscenium

  • Head electrician Alan Lampel admits it will be difficult to say goodbye

  • The original Phantom chandelier was built in London for the West End production by five people in four weeks

Before the curtain rises, he is on stage tinkering with its many dimmers, circuits and bulbs.

“It’s wonderful. I get to sit out in the front of the house and watch audiences come and go and shed tears to this show all the time and the show continues to make me shed tears,” he said.

The chandelier has 30,000 beads, weighs one ton and has made many trips up and down the theater’s proscenium, amounting to over 1,000 miles in the distance.

Lampel is also keeping the lights on for other parts of the production during the show as he watches the musical from his console and oversees special effects like fog.

“Leading into the lair and making the lair look just that sumptuous. That’s my favorite scene in the show,” he said.

Lampel has been with the Phantom since day one.

Little did he know when he walked through the door for the musicals opening in 1988 that he’d never leave.

As a native New Yorker who hails from Washington Heights, he is especially proud to be part of the longest-running show in Broadway history.

In fact, Broadway is in his blood. Lampel’s grandfather performed in the Majestic Theater in 1942.

The original Phantom chandelier was built in London for the West End production by five people in four weeks.  

The replica on Broadway is named after the late Phantom director Hal Prince’s assistant Ruth Mitchell.

Lampel admits it will be difficult to say goodbye.

“I just want to make sure, I’ll be happy to make sure she gets out the door safely, cause to me, there’s no reason why she shouldn’t live on, even if it’s in a museum somewhere, because she’s a proud beast,” he said.

While it will be difficult to top the best seat in the house at the Majestic Theater, Lampel has another great seat waiting for him at Citi Field in Queens.

He grew up above the polo grounds and has been a lifelong New York Mets fan.

“It’s kept me alive, it’s kept me kicking, and I’m just a really happy guy,” he said.

But even with more time for baseball, travel and rest, he will still long for the show that he’s already watched roughly 13,000 times.