A ‘Phantom’ Get-Together

Michael Crawford traded in his mask and cape for a tweedy sport coat and a Mickey Mouse necktie Sunday night to celebrate his 1,000th performance as the star of “The Phantom of the Opera,” playing at the Ahmanson. (Technically, the Sunday matinee was his 1,004th performance.)

For the party, Crawford skipped his usual post-Phantom routine of watching David Letterman or a late night movie with a bottle of Guinness to reflect on his lengthy stage run with the cast and crew at Stepps--amid mask-shaped ice sculptures and the proverbial flowing champagne.

Dale Kristien, who plays the Phantom’s love interest, Christine, wore gold earrings shaped like masks and yet another gold mask around her neck.

“I never have not wanted to go out there,” said Crawford, who opened in the role in London in October, 1986.

“It’s never been a question of monotony or boredom, but I’m scared stiff I’m going to forget things. It happens after about six months. It’s like saying a prayer: You say it at a different speed, and suddenly you can’t remember it.”

The big question, of course, was how much longer could Crawford go on.

“Don’t know,” he said. “I’m taking it month to month.”