Trivia / Aspects of Love

• Breakaway Pop Hit: "Love Changes Everything" was a big hit for Michael Ball in the UK, to the extent that it almost overshadows the rest of the show. "The First Man You Remember" also received some media attention (and a music video), but was typically performed out of context as a romantic song, rather than as a father-daughter duet.
• Box Office Bomb: The Broadway production did not resonate with audiences or critics, closing after 377 performances. The loss of the entire $8 million investment was said to be the largest in Broadway history at the time. The West End revival in 2023 would fare little better, closing three months earlier than anticipated.
• Executive Meddling: American actress Ann Crumb was cast as Rose in the West End production as part of a compromise Andrew Lloyd Webber made with the Actors Equity Association, whereby he would cast an American unknown in one of his West End productions in exchange for Sarah Brightman starring in the Broadway production of The Phantom of the Opera. He did not hide his resentment over the deal well, blaming Crumb for failings in the show after opening night.
• Follow-Up Failure: To The Phantom of the Opera, lasting only 1,325 performances in London and the above-mentioned 377 performances on Broadway. It has had several revivals and touring casts, particularly in the UK, but has never come close to the level of Lloyd Webber's earlier shows.
• What Could Have Been: Roger Moore (best known as James Bond) was planned to originate the role of George, but dropped out of rehearsals because (though he was taking lessons) he didn't think he could sing well enough for it.

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