🕯 In the original Broadway production, both the large candelabra and the small floor candles rise from beneath the stage through automated traps, creating the haunting illusion of the lair lighting itself as the boat glides through the mist. During the 1988 Tony Awards performance with Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman at the Minskoff Theatre — practically next door to the Majestic — the candelabra also rose from the floor. Introduced by Angela Lansbury, the sequence was an impressive investment for a single occasion performance.

😮 During early performances with Michael Crawford, one small candle rose so close that it caught briefly in the hem of his trousers — a minor but memorable mishap still recalled by fans and crew.

💡 Each candelabra is prewired with LED or flicker bulbs and synchronized via the lighting board, so the effect blends seamlessly with orchestra cues and fog machines.

📽 In the 2023 Korean licensed production, behind-the-scenes footage shows that only the small candles rise from below, while the larger units are rolled in from the sides, an adaptation likely made for touring or for venues without sunken stage traps.

✨ Despite these adjustments, both versions preserve the magical reveal of the Phantom’s world — a seamless blend of stage engineering and storytelling.