Broadway's #1 Musical of All Time ``The Phantom of the Opera'' Performs on DVD & VHS May 3 from Warner Home Video.

BURBANK, Calif. -- Warner Home Video:

--Directed by Joel Schumacher, the Golden Globe Nominated Motion Picture Features Emmy Rossum, Gerard Butler, Patrick Wilson, Miranda Richardson, and Academy Award(R) Winner Minnie Driver

--Available in a 2-Disc Special Edition Packed with Special Features

On May 3rd, the critically acclaimed epic, "The Phantom of the Opera," debuts on DVD and VHS from Warner Home Video. Exquisitely adapted from Andrew Lloyd Webber's world-renowned stage musical, "The Phantom of the Opera" features the acting talent and exemplary voice of Emmy Rossum ("The Day After Tomorrow," "Mystic River"), Gerard Butler ("Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life," "Tomorrow Never Dies"), Patrick Wilson ("The Alamo," "Angels in America"), Miranda Richardson ("The Prince and Me," "Sleepy Hollow") and Academy Award(R) winner Minnie Driver ("Good Will Hunting").

Available just in time for Mother's Day gift giving, "The Phantom of the Opera" is available in a 2-disc Special Edition DVD for $29.95 SRP in widescreen format and in a single disc version for $27.95 SRP in widescreen and fullscreen formats. The Special Edition will include a second disc full of breathtaking special features including an in-depth look at the making of "The Phantom of the Opera," the story of the musical's legacy, a hidden sing-a-long and an additional scene. The VHS will be priced for rental.

SYNOPSIS

"The Phantom of the Opera" tells the story of a disfigured musical genius who haunts the catacombs beneath the Paris Opera House, waging a reign of terror over its occupants. When he falls fatally in love with the lovely young soprano Christine, the Phantom devotes himself to creating a new star for the Opera. But she has another admirer, her childhood sweetheart Raoul, the dashing young Vicompte de Chagny. The Phantom's fury at her betrayal becomes murderous. He hatches a plot to win her back and in a dramatic and tense climax Christine is forced to choose between Raoul and the Phantom -- her Angel of Music.

The stage musical sensation is magically and hauntingly transformed by director Joel Schumacher into a lavish film production, sweeping audiences to new heights of sight and sound grandeur. Gerard Butler (as the Phantom), Emmy Rossum (The National Board of Review Breakthrough Performance Award winner as Christine) and Patrick Wilson (as Raoul) play out the fateful love triangle that unfurls in splendor, suspense -- and in the music of the night.

DVD ELEMENTS

DVD special features that will capture your heart include:

--  "Behind The Mask" - The Story of The Phantom of the Opera

    --  The Making of The Phantom of the Opera in 3 Spellbinding Acts

        --  Pre-production

        --  The Director

        --  Production

    --  "No One Would Listen": Additional Scene

    --  DVD-ROM PC Weblink to the Phantom's Online World.

Photo material can be downloaded at www.whvdirect.com.