💨 A mix of dry ice and fog machines creates the illusion of the underground lake in the Phantom’s lair. The Broadway production employs six City Theatrical SS6000 dry ice foggers to achieve a low-hanging fog that simulates a misty water surface.

🕯 In addition to dry ice, approximately 10 fog or smoke machines are synchronized to intensify the eerie atmosphere, cleverly concealing technical elements like boat tracks or stage lifts. Some sources suggest that every performance uses around 250 kg (roughly 550 lbs) of dry ice and up to ten fog machines to maintain the haunting effect.

⚠ Because dry ice sublimates into carbon dioxide, in theory it could displace oxygen at stage level. However, productions regulate its use with specialized fog machines, ventilation, and strict safety protocols, so no oxygen shortage occurs during performance. Fog fluids made from water mixed with propylene glycol, triethylene glycol and glycerol can also leave a thin film on the stage, or moisture from condensed dry ice vapor can accumulate, both of which may make the floor slippery. Stage crews manage this with cleaning, non-slip treatments, and carefully rehearsed blocking.