The Independent Profiles the Relationship Between Jerry Mitchell & Jack O'Brien

Recently, The Independent has spoken with Broadway veterans Jerry Mitchell and Jack O'Brien, who are currently working together on the West End production of LOVE NEVER DIES. The two have worked on a number of projects together, including The Full Monty, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and Hairspray.

After being introduced, O'Brien said he had Mitchell in mind for a number of projects, but they were never able to coordinate schedules. O'Brien said, "Then, in 2000, up comes The Full Monty. One of the things Jerry is most famous for is Broadway Bares, an annual burlesque he choreographs for charity, where the acts strip. If you want people to take clothes off, no one does it better than Jerry, so he was perfect for the show."

Mitchell said he appreciates the freedom the two allot each other. "As a director, he let me fly. I remember in the script at the end of the first act of The Full Monty, the cast are meant to watch a video of Jennifer Beals in Flashdance. I looked at Jack and said, 'This is the wrong way to finish the act - it will never bring the house down,' so we changed it. While other directors dictate, he welcomes ideas."

To read the full article from The Independent, click here.

LOVE NEVER DIES opened 9 March in London at the Adelphi Theatre. Previews began on 22 February. LOVE NEVER DIES stars Sierra Boggess and Ramin Karimloo with direction by Jack O'Brien. The show will subsequently open in New York on November 11, 2010 and then 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.

In celebration of the opening, Decca Broadway announced that it will release two versions of the new Andrew Lloyd Webber musical LOVE NEVER DIES. The release of both, a regular and deluxe edition, will be made available March 9th.

Both versions of the CD will be two-disc sets, with the deluxe version including a DVD as well. The DVD will feature behind the scenes footage from the recording session, as well as interviews with Andrew Lloyd Webber, Bob Crowley (set design), and members of the cast. In addition, it will include a music video of the song "Coney Island Waltz" from the show.

Performances of LOVE NEVER DIES 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.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride