Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical sequel to his mega hit musical, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, will take a giant leap forward tomorrow morning in London as "Love Never Dies" reveals itself to a very hungry media. At 10.30am London time, the official launch press conference will be held at Her Majesty's Theatre, the home of the original 'PHANTOM' since it premiered 23 years ago this very week.
Andrew Lloyd Webber will be joined by the show's director, Tony Winner Jack O'Brien, as the stars of the show, Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess, perform snippets from what is described as a "thrilling, haunting and passionate" score.
Rialto Chatter has learned that "The Heart Is Slow To Learn", a number that debuted at Lord Lloyd Webber's 50th birthday concert and who's melody was used for the song "Our Kind Of Love" in his 2000 West End musical 'The Beautiful Game', will again return as part of the 'PHANTOM' sequel. Another song that struck a chord with people who have heard the score is the dark and romantic "Fortune Teller." Vocally the "Phantom" and "Christine" will be very different from their original musical identities. Interestingly, an audience member who witnessed the last full workshop, remarked that "Love Never Dies" is "a worthy chapter in the Phantom's story" and the most "romantic music we've heard in years."
Love Never Dies is set to open at the Adelphi Theatre in March 2010. The production will be the first ever West End musical sequel. BroadwayWorld.com's West End team will be covering every moment of the event, so stay tuned for more information!
Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Really Useful Group Limited also recently launched the official website for highly anticipated sequel to The Phantom of the Opera.
The Love Never Dies website recently revealed a new "teaser trailer" for the musical which hints at its dark tone and lush melodies. Lloyd Webber only recently confirmed his very active plans for Phantom: Love Never Dies, the sequel to his worldwide mega hit musical The Phantom of the Opera. To visit the new website go here www.loveneverdies.com, to watch the trailer, click here.
The plot of the upcoming Phantom sequel has been described as, "In 1907 New York, the mysterious 'Maestro' who runs the theatre at Coney Island announces a one-off concert by legendary Parisian soprano Christine Daaé. Her arrival in New York with husband Raoul, Victome de Chagny and son Gustave, and their subsequent meeting with the 'Maestro,' bring The cataclysmic events of 10 years earlier at the Paris Opera crashing back into all their lives."
On Broadway, since its debut on January 26, 1988, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA has grossed over $700 million, making it the highest-grossing show in Broadway history. The production has played over 8,600 performances and total New York attendance is over 12.5 million. PHANTOM became the longest-running show in Broadway history on January 9, 2006 (surpassing Cats) and has now played well over 1,000 performances and more than two and a half years since breaking that record - and all with no end in sight.
Its internationally success - equally staggering - is represented by a total worldwide box office gross of more than $5 billion, making PHANTOM the most successful entertainment venture of all time, surpassing not only any other stage production, but also far surpassing the world's highest-grossing film Titanic (at $1.2 billion) and such other blockbusters as The Lord of the Rings, Jurassic Park and Star Wars. Worldwide attendance is over 80 million people, having played over 65,000 performances in 25 countries and 124 cities. It's won over 50 Theater awards including 7 Tonys, and there are currently 8 productions around the world. The most recent international opening was in Perth, Australia in February 2009.
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA has music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and is directed byHarold Prince. Lyrics are by Charles Hart (with additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe) and the book is by Richard Stilgoe and Andrew Lloyd Webber. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA has production design by the late Maria Björnson, lighting by Andrew Bridge, sound design by Mick Potter and original sound design byMartin Levan. Musical staging and choreography is by Gillian Lynne. Orchestrations are by David Cullen and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
