The record-setting run of Phantom of the Opera is getting plenty of press, but the show’s success is about more than just the popularity of Andrew Lloyd Webber and a masked antihero. “Although the price of tickets [on Broadway] has skyrocketed — the top regular price seat is $110, and up to $360 for ‘premium seating’ — Berlind says a booming economy has meant that people are willing to dig deep into their wallets if shows warrant it. And so far, people have been showing up. In the last week of 2005, 20 shows were at more than 90% capacity, with Wicked bringing in an unprecedented $1.61 million.” In other words, Phantom is where it is because of a Broadway theatre scene that has never been more robust, and that shows no signs of slowing down.