Jacksonville native Mary Leigh Stahl has been a part of the Broadway show that has broken many records in theatre history. On Jan. 9, The Phantom of the Opera became the longest running musical on Broadway in New York, surpassing Cats – another showed composed by Andrew Lloyd Weber – with its 7,486th performance at the Majestic Theatre.
Stahl has personally performed in 6,869 of those shows in her near 18-year career. Yet, as many times as she has performed the musical, she never tires of it.
“The phantom’s last liar scene, I could stand in the wings and watch that every night,” Stahl said.
On Jan. 26, The Phantom of the Opera cast will celebrate its 18th anniversary. It debuted at The Majestic in 1988, just two years after its world premiere on Oct. 9, 1986, at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London.
Stahl is proud to of her long run with the company, an astounding feat for a performer on Broadway.
As one of three of the original 35 cast members, she plays wardrobe mistress and confidant in what has become known as “the world’s biggest musical.” For most of the musical, her parts are non-speaking, but she has a solo in “Il Muto” toward the end.
The Phantom has raked in more than any other musical in Broadway history, in excess of $600 million. Worldwide, it has grossed more than $3.2 billion.
The story is based on Gaston Leroux’s 1908 novel and focuses on a disfigured man, a once mistreated orphan, who haunts a Paris Opera House. The Phantom lives beneath the opera house in the catacombs, a recluse and a genius that becomes infatuated with young opera diva, Carlotta, and becomes her teacher. He later becomes obsessed with and torments her.
Stahl plays the part of the wardrobe mistress and confidant to Carlotta and at one point in her solo sings “Poor fool, he makes me laugh,” as a way of making fun of Carlotta’s outlandish behavior.
Stahl lived in New York for 40 years and only comes home to visit family and friends once or twice a year. The last time was in October when she bought a house in Weaver. After her nearly 30-year career in theatre, she plans to retire here in August to be with sisters Caryl, June Anne, and Lois.
“I have a decent pension coming, and Alabama is the place I want to spend my time. I’m looking forward to returning,” Stahl said. “9-11 has been a part of [not wanting to retire in New York] because it’s hard to live in the city and not think about that.
“When I first moved to New York, it was different than it is now. But, when I think of a place where I want to be at peace, I want to be back in Alabama.”
Stahl first began her career as a history teacher in Columbus, Ga., and performing in theatre was just a hobby.
She did not start with years of training in dance or theatre. In fact, she had none. What she did have was a degree from Jacksonville State University in history and political science. When she got started in 1968, she had earned a teaching certificate and had been teaching for about five years in Columbus. Stahl is a 1964 Jacksonville High School graduate.
The biggest thing that turned Stahl from teaching to performing was her involvement in The Alliance Theatre in Atlanta.
“I felt like I ran away to join the circus,” Stahl said.
Before she got the job with Phantom, she auditioned for several different parts in various plays. To make ends meet between roles, she found temporary work.
“I had several survival jobs between performances,” Stahl said. “I worked for telephone answering services and the M & M Board (Ministers and Missions Benefit Board) and held several office jobs.”
Stahl has several other performances to her credit. She has played several nuns in The Sound of Music, including Mother Abboth and Sister Sophia. She also had a part in the quartette that sang, “How do you solve a problem like Maria?”
Stahl’s sisters share many of her interests. All of them have teaching degrees from JSU and participate in local theatre activities. Caryl is a retired teacher from Saks and June Anne from Columbus while Lois is a librarian at The Calhoun County Public Library Anniston branch.
Stahl reminisced on obstacles she witnessed others having to overcome in the world of performing arts and feels lucky she never experienced such things as being without a job and waiting for her big break.
“I never had obstacles. The jobs I got, I got on the basis of my ability—not because I had a degree,” Stahl said. “I think it is important for young people today to get experience, and the place you can get that is college.”
According to Stahl, training in a performing arts school can leave one unprepared for life. She says most performing arts schools don’t teach people how to sustain themselves while waiting on the next part.
“So few jobs are available and all the training in the world won’t change that,” Stahl said.
Stahl’s advice to anyone entering into the world of performing arts is to use common sense, practicality, and have a backup plan for the long waits in between. She stressed the importance of learning a skill that would help the performing artist survive while he or she waits.
