Andrew Lloyd Webber Aiming for October 2009 Premiere for Phantom Sequel

The UK Daily Mirror is reporting, in an exclusive interview with Andrew Lloyd Webber, that the sequel to Phantom of the Opera, Phantom- Once Upon Another Time, is aiming for a premiere in October 2009.

Webber states,  “The Phantom was somehow spirited away to Coney Island. And amongst the freaks he starts the greatest amusement park the world has ever seen. I’d like the show to be ready for next October.”

Despite recent reports that Webber revealed the new title would now be "Love Never Dies", the Mirror reports that it is still being workshopped under the title "Once Upon Another Time".

Webber has been working on the sequel to the hit Broadway musical for over a year now. Back in May,  the title of the sequel was being workshopped as Phantom of the Opera: Once Upon Another Time. After several readings including a private workshop at Weber's estate, the musical is currently being developed in the UK.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's Birthday In The Park saw stars from the world of pop, musical theatre and television, take to the stage in London's Hyde Park to celebrate the 60th birthday of one of the leading lights of British musical theatre. Host John Barrowman introduced music from Andrew Lloyd Webber's best-loved shows including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Cats, Starlight Express, The Phantom Of The Opera, Aspects Of Love and Sunset Boulevard.
 
The 70-piece BBC Concert Orchestra led the festivities with performances from Steve Balsamo, Duncan James, Lee Mead, Idina Menzel (Wicked), Elaine Paige, Rhydian (X-Factor), Joss Stone, Julian Lloyd Webber, Hayley Westenra, stars of BBC One's I'd Do Anything, and the 100-voice Crouch End Festival Chorus.
 
The evening's repertoire included Jesus Christ Superstar, I Don't Know How To Love Him, Another Suitcase, Don't Cry For Me Argentina, Memory, Pie Jesu, Music of the Night, All I Ask Of You, Love Changes Everything, No Matter What, As If We Never Said Goodbye and Any Dream Will Do.

Photo Credit Walter McBride/Retna Ltd