The phenomenally popular musical "Phantom of the Opera" established its staying power long ago.
It became the longest-running show in Broadway history with its 10,000th performance there 12 years ago, and celebrated the 26th year of its Broadway run last month.
Still, "Phantom" fans can't get enough.
Sunday at the Well's Fargo Center in Santa Rosa, the show's devotees turned out to hear three singers, who have each played the show's title role on Broadway, deliver a powerful trio performance of the musical's signature hit, "Music of the Night."
Throughout the two-hour concert, tenors Mark Jacoby, Gary Mauer and Ted Keegan kept a running gag going, each trying to sneak in his own "Music of the Night" solo before the others stopped him.
One of them even pretended to bribe Michael Berkowitz, conductor of the Santa Rosa Symphony Pops series' 70-piece orchestra.
That's a lot a "Music of the Night" for one afternoon, but the crowd of 1,500 welcomed it.
"I love 'Phantom of the Opera,'" said Marge Stevens of Corte Madera, who said she has seen the show seven times - in New York, Las Vegas and San Francisco. "I never get tired of the music."
The orchestra also played an instrumental medley of music from "Phantom," as well as selections from "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Les Miserables."
Jacoby, Mauer and Keegan share a long list of credits from both Broadway and national touring companies, and each sang some of his favorites from other shows.
Mauer got a standing ovation for his emotional performance of "Gethasemane" from "Jesus Christ Superstar."
The tuxedo-clad Jacoby introduced his rendition of "The Sara Lee Song," from "And the World Goes Around," by saying, "This was written as a party song for Liza Minnelli, but you'll have to imagine the dress."
Keegan's soaring vocal for "On the Street Where You Live," from "My Fair Lady," was another crowd-pleaser.
The singers also did trio versions of several songs, including the witty "Brush Up Your Shakespeare" from "Kiss Me Kate." From "Guys and Dolls," they teamed up on the racetrack classic "Fugue for Three Tinhorns," best-known for its key phrase: "Can do."
The "Music of the Night" finale brought the audience to its feet again, which brought the trio back for an encore - "You Gotta Have Heart" from "Damn Yankees."
But still, it was his love for "Phantom" that brought Shane Conroy of Santa Rosa out to the see the show.
"I consider it one of the great singing roles of Broadway," he said. "It's is never dated."
You can reach Staff Writer Dan Taylor at 521-5243 or dan.taylor@pressdemocrat.com.
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