“The Phantom of the Opera,” one of the most celebrated musicals of all time and winner of seven Tony Awards, features the brilliant score composed by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. The longest-running show in Broadway history closed its doors in April of 2023, after celebrating its 35th anniversary on Broadway.

The final performance ended as all the preceding ones had: a single character, Meg Giry, kneels alone on the darkened stage. Lit by a spotlight, she holds the Phantom’s mask, gazing out in fear and wonder. The last person alone on the stage for the final performance of this legendary musical was Sara Esty (GHS ’04). Sara recalled, “That final moment in Broadway history was transcendent. How this fell to me, I will never know. But life led me there.”

While still a company member with Miami City Ballet – a career spanning ten years – Sara first auditioned for “Phantom” on a whim in 2007. After moving to NYC in 2014, and auditioning three more times, she landed the role of Meg Giry for what turned out to be “Phantom’s” final season. Sara was hired in February 2020. A quick trip home to Gorham before starting rehearsals became a prolonged stay of more than a year. She said, “I saw the news of “Phantom” and the rest of Broadway shutting down due to COVID as I was on a Concord Trailways bus exiting the city.”

Sara’s onstage experience with “Phantom” lasted almost two years, but her history with the show started much earlier. She and her identical twin, Leigh- Ann Esty, who is also in the performing arts, were born the same year that “Phantom” premiered in London. Their Aunt Fran took them to see “The Phantom of the Opera” on Broadway for the first time when they were 7 years old. Aunt Fran, now in her 90’s, was thrilled to watch Sara perform as Meg Giry in the very same theater during “Phantom’s” final run in a poignant, full circle moment for Sara.

Sara also recalls learning about “The Phantom of the Opera” in 4th-grade music class at Village School. “Mrs. Gray showed us the music, lyrics, and history of the play. When she asked us to try to sing the really high notes of the lead female, I was able to squeak it out. I felt so proud,” Sara laughed.

Following her epic journey with “Phantom”, Sara looks forward to upcoming theater, TV, and film projects in keeping with some of her previous theater credits: “An American in Paris,” “A Chorus Line,” “Brigadoon,” and TV/film credits such as: “Fosse/Verdon,” and Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story.”

Sara also teaches at Steps on Broadway, a prestigious dance school in New York City. “Teaching is incredibly rewarding and just plain fun. It is in my blood as my mother had a 40-year career in education here in Gorham,” she added.

Sister Leigh-Ann is an award-winning photographer and a rehearsal director and faculty member with the New Jersey Ballet Company. Leigh-Ann is currently starring in “An American in Paris” at The Cape Playhouse in Cape Cod and is directing a dance short film. Visit her website at leighestyphotos.com.

Sara is grateful for the wonderful experiences available for Gorham students interested in the Arts. She and Leigh-Ann found their home in the many art-centered experiences available at GHS, Maine State School for the Performing Arts, and Maine State Ballet. “Dancing, singing and acting are in my heart, my gut and my soul,” she said. Sara encourages young performers to know that persistence, focus and discipline will help to pave their way. “The Arts is a hard industry, but if it is your passion, don’t give up,” she said.

Follow Sara on Instagram @estygrl.