My last post on this didnโt get a ton of traction so Iโm trying again. The latest budget proposal for NYC includes a $58.3 million cut to public libraries.
Previous cuts forced NYC public libraries to close on Sundays, and this further round of cuts would likely force libraries to end weekend service entirely. Additionally, it would mean further cuts to programming and the indefinite delay of reopening libraries that have been closed for renovation, which would leave entire neighborhoods without a library.
There is a preliminary budget hearing on May 21, and until then libraries are asking people to sign a letter here to urge the mayorโs office and city council to reverse the cuts.
I know things are terrible in a lot of ways right now and people probably feel overwhelmed and burnt out, but signing this letter (or reblogging this post) is a small, quick, concrete way to make a difference.
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Looking for a way to warm up this winter? The New York Public Library is offering instant access to Heated Rivalry and the rest of the Game Changers series through February 14, 2026.
"The Phantom of the Opera" Original Broadway Cast Archive Footage
A full length production recording of the Original Broadway Cast (Michael Crawford, Sarah Brightman, Steve Barton) exists in the archive of the New York Public Library's Theatre on Film and Tape archive at Lincoln Center. It was filmed on May 25, 1988. In January 2026, I was fortunate enough to view this archived footage. You can read my detailed review of the performance, and how you might be able to view the video yourself, at the link below:
Original Broadway Cast Review by
Phantom on a Budget
Please read the Frequently Asked Questions below the cut.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. ๐๐จ ๐ฉ๐๐๐จ ๐ซ๐๐๐๐ค ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ก๐ ๐ฉ๐ค ๐ซ๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐ฉ ๐๐ค๐ข๐ ๐ซ๐๐ ๐ฟ๐๐ฟ ๐ค๐ง ๐จ๐ฉ๐ง๐๐๐ข๐๐ฃ๐?
No. You must physically view it at the New York Public Library (NYPL) Theatre on Film and Tape (TOFT) archive at Lincoln Center, New York City.
2. ๐๐๐๐ฃ ๐๐จ ๐ฉ๐๐๐จ ๐๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ง๐๐ก๐๐๐จ๐๐ ๐๐ค๐ข๐ข๐๐ง๐๐๐๐ก๐ก๐ฎ ๐๐ค๐ง ๐ช๐จ ๐ฉ๐ค ๐ซ๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐ฉ ๐๐ค๐ข๐?
It is not being released, and likely never will be. The only way to view it is at the NYPL TOFT in NYC. It will not be released for home viewing (like the Royal Albert Hall anniversary concert) because this is meant for research and reference only. The recording is owned by NYPL, and Andrew Lloyd Webber/LW Entertainment has not authorized it ever being released.
3. ๐พ๐๐ฃ ๐ฎ๐ค๐ช ๐ง๐๐๐ค๐ง๐ ๐ฉ๐๐๐จ ๐๐ค๐ค๐ฉ๐๐๐?
NO! Photographs and video recordings of this archived footage are strictly prohibited. If you are fortunate enough to see the video at TOFT, please follow the rules and DO NOT record or photograph. Doing so will ruin future access to the video at TOFT for the rest of us. Donโt be that guy.
4. ๐๐๐ค ๐๐๐จ ๐๐๐๐๐จ๐จ ๐ฉ๐ค ๐ฉ๐๐๐จ ๐๐ค๐ค๐ฉ๐๐๐?
It is available to the public with NYPL library cards (which are available for free, even to non-NYC residents). However, TOFT is technically a restricted research archive. As such, please have a valid reason for your visit. Maybe youโre researching for an upcoming high school production. Or youโre researching for your own Phantom website or blog. Whether any of that is true is between you and whatever deity you subscribe to. Find a reason you can actually defend, and be professional when viewing the video. I listed โresearchโ as my reason for the viewing; I was not asked at booking or on the day for additional information or justification.
5. ๐๐๐ฎ ๐๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ค๐ช ๐ง๐๐ฆ๐ช๐๐จ๐ฉ ๐๐๐๐๐จ๐จ ๐ฉ๐ค ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐ซ๐๐๐๐ค?
Iโm a career Phantom cosplayer, effects makeup artist, and wig maker. I have a public website with free costuming and makeup resources available, and have consulted on several school productions of the show over the years. Also Iโm a huge phan and have always wanted to see it!
6. ๐๐ค๐ฌ ๐ข๐๐ฃ๐ฎ ๐ฉ๐๐ข๐๐จ ๐๐๐ฃ ๐ฎ๐ค๐ช ๐ฌ๐๐ฉ๐๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐ค๐ค๐ฉ๐๐๐?
According to the NYPL website, you can only view the complete footage once. We were able to stop, rewind, and rewatch scenes multiple times to take notes during our viewing. That said, if there are legitimate reasons for an additional visit, itโs worth contacting TOFT to see if another viewing could be granted. I have not tried it yet as I only just saw it recently and I donโt need another viewing at this time.
7. ๐๐ค๐ฌ ๐ข๐ช๐๐ ๐๐ค๐๐จ ๐๐ฉ ๐๐ค๐จ๐ฉ?
Itโs free! You only need to sign up online for a NYPL card and create a Special Collections account through TOFT. It takes about 15 minutes to sign up for these and book an appointment.
8. ๐โ๐ข ๐ซ๐๐จ๐๐ฉ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐พ ๐จ๐ค๐ค๐ฃ, ๐๐๐ฃ ๐ ๐๐ช๐จ๐ฉ ๐ฌ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ฃ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ง๐๐ฆ๐ช๐๐จ๐ฉ ๐๐ฉ?
Technically, yes. You can theoretically sign up for the NYPL card and Special Collections account in person. But I do not recommend walking in without an appointment. Sign up for everything online and request an appointment ahead of time to make sure the media will be available when you need it.
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
โ Live Streamingโ Interactive Chatโ Private Showsโ HD Quality
Anya is LIVE right now
FREE
Free to watch โข No registration required โข HD streaming
HELP okay so I was on libby yesterday and noticed the nypl has an offer to check out the entire gamechangers series with no wait times or limited copies through valentines day:
so I took a screenshot to share with some friends and be like oh hey thatโs cool, checked out heated rivalry to read later, and then largely forgot about it, was not expecting to be reminded today by. zohran mamdani.
