RIALTO CHATTER: NYTimes on 'LOVE NEVER DIES' & Stamos

The New York Times has turned its attention to Andrew Lloyd Webber's upcoming 'Phantom: Love Never Dies', the sequel to his worldwide mega hit musical The Phantom of the Opera.  

In the Times Arts Beat section, Dave Itzkoff weighs in on the recently released synopsis of sequel that was discovered in an Equity casting notice this past Monday, BroadwayWorld brought you the story along with the news that Broadway's Jerry Mitchell will be doing choreography duties for the 'Phantom' musical follow up earlier this week, you can read that BWW article by clicking here.

You can read the New York Times Art Beat column by going here.

Itzkoff reprinted the summary of the story which is 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".

Casting rumors have been swirling regarding who will be nab the leading roles in the tuner, Itzkoff throws his own casting choice into the ring, his pick for a potential Phantom is former Cabaret and NINE star, actor John Stamos. Stamos has been whispered about for months regarding a number of upcoming Broadway projects, while the inspiration was completely subjective on the part of the Times article, who will finally become 'the man behind the mask' for the "Love Never Dies" project is a theatre industry mystery and one of high conjecture. This column will always remember the original casting of Michael Crawford quite fondly and waits with anticipation for the official announcement of who will haunt Coney Island as the noble and tragic Phantom of the Opera.

Produced by Cameron Mackintosh/Really Useful Group, Inc. and directed by theater legend Harold Prince, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is in its phenomenal 21st year in New York, playing at The Majestic Theatre (247 West 44th Street).

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 next international opening will be 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 by Martin Levan. Musical staging and choreography is by Gillian Lynne. Orchestrations are by David Cullen and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.