Today, Thursday 8 October, Andrew Lloyd Webber unveils his brand new production "LOVE NEVER DIES" at a global launch in London. Andrew Lloyd Webber's long awaited new show will have its World Premiere in London at the Adelphi Theatre on Tuesday 9 March 2010 followed by New York on Thursday 11 November and in Australia in 2011.
"LOVE NEVER DIES" continues the story of ‘The Phantom', who has moved from his lair in the Paris Opera House to haunt the fairgrounds of Coney Island, far across the Atlantic. Set 10 years after the mysterious disappearance of ‘The Phantom' from Paris, this show is a rollercoaster ride of obsession and intrigue...in which music and memory can play cruel tricks...and ‘The Phantom' sets out to prove that, indeed, "LOVE NEVER DIES."
"The Phantom of the Opera", based on the French novel by
Gaston Leroux, has proved a huge success the world over and has been seen by over 100 million people, making it the single most successful entertainment entity in history. The show has been translated into 15 languages and appeared in over 25 different countries including China, Brazil, Poland and Korea. "The Phantom of the Opera" opened at Her Majesty's Theatre in London on 9 October 1986 starring
Sarah Brightman and
Michael Crawford and celebrates its 23rd London birthday tomorrow on 9 October. "The Phantom of the Opera" won a staggering 50 awards worldwide, whilst global album sales currently stand at over 40 million copies.
Ramin Karimloo will create the role of ‘The Phantom' in "LOVE NEVER DIES", having already playedthe role to great acclaim in "The Phantom of the Opera" in London. Ramin's other stagecredits include starring as ‘Enjolras' in "Les Misérables" in the West End, ‘Chris' in the UK tour of "Miss Saigon" and ‘Artie Green' in the UK tour of "Sunset Boulevard". Ramin also played ‘Raoul' in the West End production of "The Phantom of the Opera", as well as the role of ‘Christine's Father' in
Joel Schumacher's film, making him the only actor to play all three of ‘Christine's' loves.
Sierra Boggess will create the role of ‘Christine' in "LOVE NEVER DIES." Sierra made her Broadway debut creating the lead role of ‘Ariel' in Disney's "The Little Mermaid," receiving both Drama League and Drama Desk Award nominations and a Broadway.com Audience Award for ‘Favourite Breakthrough Performance.' She also understudied the role of ‘Cosette' on the Broadway National Tour of "Les Misérables." In 2007 Sierra was handpicked by
Andrew Lloyd Webber and
Hal Prince to originate the role of ‘Christine' in a brand new production of "Phantom - the Las Vegas Spectacular." "LOVE NEVER DIES" marksSierra's West End debut.
Glenn Slater, lyricist, was nominated for the 2008 Tony and Grammy Awards for Disney's theatricalproduction of "The Little Mermaid". He is lyricist on the current London production of "Sister Act".
Bob Crowley, set and costume designer, recently worked on "Phèdre" with
Helen Mirren at the
National Theatre. His many award-winning productions include "The History Boys", "Les Liaisons Dangereuses", Disney's "Aida", "Mary Poppins" and "The Year of Magical Thinking". Choreographer
Jerry Mitchell recently made his directorial debut with "Legally Blonde" on Broadway and also choreographed the award-winning musical productions of "La Cage aux Folles", "Hairspray" and "The Full Monty". Director
Jack O'Brien directed the award-winning London production of "Hairspray" and won Tony awards for the Broadway productions of
Tom Stoppard's "The Coast of Utopia", "Hairspray" and the 2004 production of "Henry IV". His other productions include Stoppard's "The Invention of Love", "The Full Monty", "Hapgood", "Damn Yankees", "The Little Foxes", and operas including "Street Scene" at New York City Opera and "Il Triticco" at the Metropolitan Opera later this year.
"LOVE NEVER DIES" is running a unique online campaign alongside its traditional marketing plan. An online hub
www.loveneverdies.com has been created, providing fans with regular production updates and blogs as well as being able to follow ‘The Phantom' on Twitter and Facebook. Fans can access all this information and from today, register interest for tickets on the site for the upcoming international productions.
The World Premiere of "LOVE NEVER DIES" will take place in London on 9 March 2010 at the Adelphi Theatre. Previews begin on 20 February. The show will then premiere in New York on 11 November 2010 and in Australia in 2011.
The "LOVE NEVER DIES" album was completed in September 2009 and will be released on Wednesday, 10 March 2010, the day after the World Premiere in London.
Performances in London at the Adelphi Theatre will be Mondays - Saturdays at 7.30pm, with Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm. Tickets, priced from £25.00 - £67.50 (to include 75p theatre restoration levy and inclusive of booking fees), are available from the Adelphi Theatre Box Office on 0844 412 4651 or online from
www.loveneverdies.com.
Tickets go on sale and the website goes live on 8 October.
