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by Spencer Bollettieri, lead freelance writer for Theme Park Magazine
At Masquerade New York City, audiences don’t simply watch The Phantom of the Opera; they step inside it. Wearing masks of their own, guests wander through the Paris Opera House, sing alongside its performers, and become part of one of musical theater’s most famous stories.
Based on the 1910 novel by Gaston Leroux, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera has haunted stages around the world since premiering in London’s West End in 1986 before opening on Broadway in 1988. Directed by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus and produced by Randy Weiner (Sleep No More, The Box), Masquerade reimagines the classic musical as an immersive experience inside a transformed historic venue at 218 W. 57th St., near Manhattan’s Columbus Circle. Opening in 2025, its extended run is booking through January 31, 2027.
Stepping Into the Illusion
From the start, it’s made clear that Masquerade isn’t the usual Broadway fare, and that guests aren’t entering a theater but the gothic dreamlike world of Phantom of the Opera. They’re also asked to dress for it in kind. Once purchased, tickets come with instructions to prepare visitors for the experience and the late Victorian fantasy they’re about to enter. The dress code is formal or elevated eveningwear, and guests are required to wear a mask and attire in black, white, or silver. However, for guests who don’t bring their own, complimentary masks are offered, and for those who forgot to dress up for the night, limited cloaks are available to borrow.
The experience begins properly after guests speak the secret password sent to their e-mails and enter the building. Entering through what appears to be the backstage areas of the opera house, guests meet Madame Giry, who explains they’ll be entering the story of Phantom of the Opera as dreamed and remembered by its titular character. With a glass of complimentary champagne, she shares a toast, and the show comes to life as the doors open.
Wandering the Paris Opera House
At Masquerade, the line between audience and performer vanishes almost immediately, just as swiftly and dramatically as the “Opera Ghost” himself. Before guests settle into the role of observers, they’re singing alongside the cast, following performers through hidden corridors, and finding themselves woven into scenes they expected to watch from a distance. When the show starts, suddenly they’re in the Paris opera house, and guests will venture through the story as part of a two-hour guided experience, watching as the action takes place around them and performers interact with the audience.
Somewhere between a Universal-level walkthrough attraction and an elaborate Broadway musical, each scene in Masquerade is created to surround guests with elaborate sets, props, and practical effects. Rather than watching scenes change from a seat, audiences physically travel between them. One moment they’re squeezed into narrow backstage corridors, and the next they’re standing beneath the opera house chandelier, wandering through a ghoulish carnival, or inside Christine’s dressing room. The journey itself becomes part of the storytelling, as guests shift from spectators into participants within one of the most influential musicals in theater history.
Detailed props help set each scene and tell the story. Guests will see the grandiose costumes of the performers stashed away in old wardrobes, pass through the Phantom’s workshops where toys and mechanical mannequins come alive as part of his schemes, and, naturally, the towering chandelier looms ominously over performers and guests alike, waiting for the moment to come crashing down. Even something as mundane as a staircase feels part of that world, plastered with old posters, echoing with arguing actors debating the Opera Ghost’s existence, and attendees handing out tickets to Don Juan Triumphant.
Becoming Part of the Cast
Each character plays a role in this story and pulls guests into it. For example, before entering, Madame Giry teaches visitors the chorus to “Masquerade” and some simple choreography that’ll allow them to join in on the opening act. Later, worried theater owners pull guests into conversations as they ponder whether the Opera Ghost means business. Meanwhile, during the sideshow, performers will ask for volunteers for magic acts and play games of skill for shots of tequila. Even the normally shy Phantom will reach out to the audience, looking for sympathetic souls.
Familiar songs aren’t confined to a stage; they echo through corridors, spill into intimate rooms, and surround guests as they move through the opera house. Whether played on a lone violin, performed before a crowd, or sung alongside the audience during “Masquerade,” the score becomes less like a performance and more like the soundtrack to the evening itself before reaching its end.
Unmasking at The Lake Bar
The show’s finale ends with guests removing their masks and a round of applause before entering The Lake Bar. While noticeably more modern than its source material, it still channels a gothic atmosphere where attendees can discuss the show, enjoy a few drinks at the bar, and purchase souvenirs.
Beyond the main production, Masquerade also hosts special after-hours events, including concerts, raves, and themed balls. Additionally, The Lake Bar is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday, beginning at 9:30 p.m., allowing visitors to enjoy the venue without attending a performance.
What to Know Before You Go
While there’s nothing necessarily intense or risqué, it is a more adult-oriented experience, and those who enjoy more interactive gothic affairs like Dreams of Dracula or musicals like the original Phantom of the Opera will get the most out of it. It’s an attraction for people who can appreciate the romantic story, passionate performances, or the interactive stagecraft.
However, Masquerade is slightly more physically demanding than a Broadway show, and people will do a lot of walking, especially up and down stairs. While some rooms offer seating, it’s often limited and can be a bit cramped. Additionally, the dark and sometimes smoky atmosphere can be disorienting, so take care when navigating so you don’t bump into other people. Guests can linger and take in environmental details, but the experience keeps moving. Paying attention to where performers are leading the crowd helps avoid missing key moments.
Meanwhile, this is not a show for people who are shy. Beyond the dress code that asks for a bit of extravagance and to stand out, people will be interacting with the cast regularly. Don’t be surprised if a couple is chosen for the “Rope of Judgment” magic trick, if characters engage in a little lighthearted ribbing and improv, or if someone is handed a prop by one of the characters.
Additionally, unlike more open-ended and choice-driven experiences like Dreams of Dracula, Masquerade is linear, which makes sense for a production based on a Broadway musical with a traditional three-act structure. Rather than different paths making each performance unique, it’s the interactions with the characters, the details guests notice along the way, and the different people sharing the experience that make no two performances exactly alike.
Also, Masquerade is something to be remembered forever, not photographed, and like the Phantom, appreciates a bit of mystery. While some people might be disappointed that they can’t film the performance or its elaborate sets, the bar area provides photo opportunities, including a chance to sit inside the Phantom’s gondola.
Masquerade is an interesting example of how the same story can be experienced in entirely different ways. What makes it unique is that guests experience the story from changing vantage points, whether it’s from a catwalk, the center of a crowded ballroom, or surrounded by performers. While the traditional stage production will always have its place, Masquerade shows that experiential storytelling is an art form of its own, one that isn’t limited to haunted houses or theme park attractions, but speaks to a universal desire to see, feel, and get lost in the worlds those stories create.
For more information on tickets, the cast, upcoming events, and performance schedules, visit the official website (see Explore More: Resources below).
Explore More: Videos
Go Behind the Curtain of the New ‘Masquerade’ Immersive Musical – TODAY
Masquerade | Official Trailer
Explore More: Resources
- Website: Masquerade NYC (official)
- Web Page: What I wish I knew before attending Masquerade NYC (Reddit)
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