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Love Never Dies (musical)

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Love Never Dies
File:LoveNeverDies.JPG
MusicAndrew Lloyd Webber
LyricsGlenn Slater
BookAndrew Lloyd Webber
Ben Elton
Glenn Slater
BasisElements of The Phantom of Manhattan by Frederick Forsyth and an original treatment by Ben Elton
Productions2010 West End

Love Never Dies is a musical with a book and lyrics by Glenn Slater and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. It is a sequel to the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical The Phantom of the Opera, rather than the original book by Gaston Leroux, though Lloyd Webber has stated "I don't regard this as a sequel - it's a stand-alone piece".[1] It is directed by Jack O'Brien and opened at the Adelphi Theatre in the West End on 22 February 2010, and is scheduled to open on Broadway on 11 November 2010, and in Australia in 2011. It is the first time a musical sequel is staged in the West End.[2][3]

The musical is set a decade after the end of Phantom. Christine Daaé is invited to perform at Phantasma, a new attraction in Coney Island, by an anonymous impresario and, with her husband Raoul and son Gustave in tow, journeys to Brooklyn, unaware it is the Phantom who has arranged her appearance in the popular beach resort.

Production history

Lloyd Webber first began plans for a sequel in 1997. Following a conversation with Maria Björnson, the designer of The Phantom of the Opera, Lloyd Webber decided that were a sequel to come about, it would be set in turn of the 20th century New York City. Lloyd Webber began collaborating with author Frederick Forsyth on the project, but it soon fell apart as Lloyd Webber felt the ideas they were developing would be difficult to adapt for the musical stage. Forsyth went on to publish some of the ideas he had worked on with Lloyd Webber as a novel entitled The Phantom of Manhattan.[4]

Lloyd Webber continually returned to the project throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, collaborating with a number of unknown writers. Although it was during this time that Lloyd Webber came up with the idea of making The Phantom the designer of Coney Island amusement park attractions, Lloyd Webber still did not feel the ideas he had were adaptable into a piece of musical theatre. Finally, in 2007, Ben Elton (who had served as the librettist for Lloyd Webber's The Beautiful Game) approached Lloyd Webber with his own synopsis for a sequel, based on Lloyd Webber's initial ideas. Elton's treatment of the story focused more on the original characters of The Phantom of the Opera and omitted the new characters that Lloyd Webber and Forsyth had developed. Lloyd Webber was pleased with Elton's treatment and considered it to be the right version of the story to be adapted into a musical. Elton's synopsis served as the catalyst that led Lloyd Webber to begin work on the sequel,[4] and in early March 2007, in his website's video blog, he officially announced he would be moving forward with the project.[5]

In June 2007, it was reported that Lloyd Webber's pet cat, Otto had jumped onto his synthesizer and managed to erase the entire score[6]

In May 2008, on the live finale of his show I'd Do Anything, Lloyd Webber made the announcement that the sequel would likely be called Phantom: Once Upon Another Time.[7] However, on 14 September 2008, during the BBC's Birthday in the Park concert celebrating his 60th birthday, Lloyd Webber announced the title would be Love Never Dies.[8]

In July 2008, the first act of what was still known as Phantom: Once Upon Another Time was performed at Lloyd Webber's annual Sydmonton Festival.[9] In the preview, the Phantom was played by Ramin Karimloo, while Raoul was played by Alistair Robbins.

On 3 July 2009 Lloyd Webber announced that Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess had been cast as the Phantom and Christine in Love Never Dies.[10] It also was confirmed that the role of Meg Giry would be played by Summer Strallen, Madame Giry by Liz Robertson and Raoul by Joseph Millson.[10][11] It has also been revealed that a new role, Fleck, will be created by I'd do Anything finalist Niamh Perry.[12]

Lloyd Webber had originally intended for Love Never Dies to open in London, New York and Shanghai simultaneously in the Autumn of 2009. Production was later put on hold as Lloyd Webber felt it would be too difficult to cast and rehearse three simultaneous productions of the same show without it being detrimental to the quality of the productions.

On 8 October 2009, Lloyd Webber launched the musical at a press conference held at Her Majesty's Theatre, where the original Phantom has been running since 1986. Also present were Sierra Boggess, who has been cast as Christine Daaé, and Ramin Karimloo, who will portray the Phantom, a role he has previously played in the West End. Karimloo sang his character's first song in the new production for the journalists, industry insiders, and fans who had assembled for the presentation. Boggess originated the role of Christine Daaé in Phantom — The Las Vegas Spectacular and the role of Ariel in The Little Mermaid on Broadway.[13]

At the 8 October 2009 press launch event, Lloyd Webber announced that Love Never Dies would begin previews in London on 20 February 2010. A production will be mounted in New York on 11 November 2010 and a further production in Australia will begin performances in 2011. Lloyd Webber has also announced that plans for Asian and Canadian productions are well under way.[4]

Lloyd Webber revealed that the original cast recording has already been recorded, though will not be released in its entirety until the production begins.[4]

The first preview that was supposed be performed on 20 February 2010, was cancelled and pushed to 22 February 2010, due to technical demands. Andrew Lloyd Webber apologised about the cancellation of the first preview in letters. He said he was deeply sorry as he knows that people booked that because it was the first proper showing.[14]

Plot

Act I

Setting: Coney Island in 1907.[15]

Madame Giry walks along an abandoned pier recalling Phantasma, city of wonders (“Prologue”). She is confronted by Fleck who reminds her of the good old days before we are transported back to the Coney Island (“Coney Island Waltz”). An excited group of holiday makers arrive overwhelmed at everything that Phantasma has to offer, and speculate about the mysterious owner of the place, Mr. Y (“Heaven by the sea”). As Meg Giry prepares for her performance she wonders what the boss will think of her performance and states she will be performing “Only for Him”, before wowing the audience at opening of Phantasma in “Only for You”. Following the performance Madame Giry arranges for her to meet an important client, much to Meg’s disgust.

In the Aerie, the Phantom is with a robot which looks like Christine. He wishes he could be reunited with Christine after ten long years and wants to hear her sing once more (“Till I Hear You Sing”). Meg asks the Phantom is he enjoyed her performance, much to his annoyance. Madame Giry is annoyed that the Phantom is still longing to be with Christine after all the help she gave him over the years. The Phantom summons the freaks (Squelch, Guangle and Fleck) and gets them to send a letter to Christine inviting her to come and perform at Phantasma.

Three months later, Christine, Raoul and their son Gustave arrive in New York to crowds of paparazzi. They are greeted by the freaks who arrive by horse and carriage and take them to Coney Island (“Are you ready to begin?”). Raoul is angry at the way they had been greeted by the freaks and upsets Gustave by not playing with him. As Raoul leaves to go drinking Christine tells Gustave to “Look with your heart” to try and help him understand. As Gustave leaves to go to bed, the Phantom enters and recounts a night of passion they shared the night before her wedding (“Beneath a Moonless Sky”). They recall that “Once upon another time” they thought their love had a chance of succeeding, although current situations prevent that from happening. Gustave is wakes up screaming from a nightmare and meets the Phantom for the first time.

In the rehearsal studio for Phantasma, Meg is reunited with Christine, and is surprised to learn she will be singing there. Raoul also meets Madame Giry and discovers it is the Phantom who has invited Christine there to sing (“Dear Old Friend”). Christine becomes concerned when Gustave goes missing.

The freaks bring Gustave to the Aerie where he is greeted by the Phantom. Gustave plays a haunting melody on the piano, which leads the Phantom to have a revelation that he could be Gustave’s father (“Beautiful”). The Phantom questions Gustave about his feelings and musical abilities, before unmasking himself (“The Beauty Underneath”). Christine enters to comfort a terrified Gustave, and confesses that Gustave is his son. The Phantom declares that everything he owns will go to him. A furious Madame Giry overhears this and fears all of her work over the years has been for nothing.

Act II

Following the “Entr’acte” we see Raoul sitting alone in a bar contemplating his love with Christine (“Why Does She Love Me?). He is joined by Meg who tells him he must leave that night with Christine and Gustave. Raoul refuses, saying he is not afraid of the Phantom, who has since appeared behind the bar. He makes a bet with a drunken Raoul – If Christine sings he leaves alone; if she doesn’t then all their debts will be wiped away. He also makes Raoul question the fatherhood of Gustave (“Devil Take The Hindmost”). At the beach, it is the last day of the season and the holiday makers are enjoying the Coney Island experience (“Heaven By The Sea (Reprise)”). They notice a balloon in the distance and eventually it lands on the beach ("Ladies...Gents!/The Coney Island Waltz (Reprise)"). The freaks present Meg Giry, who performs for the holiday makers about her choice of swimming costume (“Bathing Beauty”). Backstage, Madame Giry tells Meg that the Phantom had not been there to watch the performance, and so it had all been for nothing.

Before the performance, Raoul asks Christine to reconsider her decision to sing, at which she is unsure about. As Raoul leaves, the Phantom enters and tells Christine that Raoul knows his love is not enough and that she must sing for him once more. Alone in her dressing room, Christine recalls the Paris opera house where she had to make a difficult decision. Backstage, Madame Giry, Raoul and the Phantom are wondering whether or not Christine will sing and who will win the bet. As Christine prepares to perform, Meg makes a hurried exit (“Devil Take The Hindmost (Reprise)”. Christine, on stage with Raoul and the Phantom in the wings, performs an aria for the crowd at Phantasma (“Love Never Dies”). The Phantom greets an overwhelmed Christine following her triumphant performance. Christine finds a letter from Raoul stating that he has left for good. Christine realises that Gustave is missing and becomes worried. The Phantom summons Madame Giry believing she is behind it. Fleck reveals she had discovered Meg Giry’s dressing room smashed up and seen her with a small figure. Madame Giry believes she knows where she has taken him.

On a pier, a distraught Meg is with Gustave when she is confronted by the others. She holds up a gun to them so that the Phantom will listen to her. He tries to get the gun from her but in the confusion she accidentally shoots Christine. The Phantom rushes over to her whilst Meg watches, horrified by what she has done. Christine reveals to Gustave that the Phantom is his father. Her final words tell the Phantom that her love for him will never die. He then hands the body of Christine to Meg whilst he comforts Gustave who unmasks him as the curtain falls.

Cast

The principal original cast of Love Never Dies

Character Original London Cast
The Phantom Ramin Karimloo
Christine Daaé Sierra Boggess
Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny Joseph Millson
Madame Giry Liz Robertson
Meg Giry Summer Strallen
Fleck Niamh Perry
Squelch Adam Pierce
Gangle Jami Reid-Quarrell

Musical numbers

Recordings

Singles

"The Coney Island Waltz" and "Til I Hear You Sing" were first performed publicly at the 8 October 2009 press launch in London.[16]

The first song released to the public is "The Coney Island Waltz", which premiered on the musical's official site as a short sample track in 2009. The official site then released it as a full complimentary music download for customers pre-ordering the Love Never Dies studio recording album. The music video is set to archival film footage of Coney Island.

"Til I Hear You Sing", sung by Ramin Karimloo, is the first single from the musical and was exclusively previewed on 20 February 2010 through The Mail on Sunday website,[17] and previewed elsewhere on 22 February 2010.[18] It is a love ballad about the male narrator expressing his longing angst to hear the voice of his beloved after many years. "Til I Hear You Sing" is also the first song the Phantom sings in the musical. The promotional music video was an excerpt of Ramin Karimloo's live performance at the 8 October 2009 London press launch and made viewable the same day, with Karimloo singing in a blue-lit set while Sierra Boggess sits quietly on a throne. The official music video features Karimloo undisguised in a flat with a backdrop of projector images and floating appearance of Sierra Boggess.[19]

On 26 January 2010 the title song "Love Never Dies" was first publicly performed at the The South Bank Show Awards, sung by Sierra Boggess and accompanied by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Louise Hunt on two grand pianos.[20] The tune is identical to Lloyd Webber's other musical numbers "Our Kind of Love" from The Beautiful Game in 2000 and "The Heart is Slow to Learn", which was intended for a Phantom sequel, sung by Kiri Te Kanawa in 1998 at the Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Royal Albert Hall Celebration.[21][22] "Love Never Dies" also has a similar melody to "Theme from the Apartment" from the 1960 Billy Wilder film The Apartment.[23]

Discography

References

  1. ^ Lloyd Webber launches Phantom 2, BBC News, 8 October 2009. Retrieved on 9 October 2009.
  2. ^ Official website
  3. ^ The Telegraph, 04 October 2009
  4. ^ a b c d Whatsonstage Video Interview with Lloyd-Webber 8 October 2009
  5. ^ "Andrew Lloyd Webber Confirms 'Phantom' Sequel", by BWW News Desk Broadway World, March 9, 2007, retrieved July 18, 2008
  6. ^ http://www.playbill.com/news/article/108816-Cat-Destroys-Lloyd-Webbers-Phantom-Sequel-Score
  7. ^ "Lloyd Webber 'names' Opera sequel", BBC Newsbeat, May 30, 2008, retrieved July 18, 2008
  8. ^ http://www.londonnet.co.uk/entertainment/2008/sep/lloyd-webber-plans-phantom-sequel.html retrieved 29 December 2008
  9. ^ "A Really Wine Time: 'Phantom' sequel is unmasked at UK bash" by Michael Riedel, The New York Post, July 16, 2008, retrieved July 18, 2008
  10. ^ a b "Phantom 2 will be fantastic promises Lloyd Webber" by Baz Bamigboye, Daily Mail, July 3, 2009, retrieved July 4, 2009
  11. ^ Summer Strallen brings little Ohh La La West End
  12. ^ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-1230587/Its-time-Meet-women-singing-way-self-fulfilment.html
  13. ^ The Guardian, 08 October 2009
  14. ^ Shenton, Mark (2010-02-11). "First London Preview of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Love Never Dies Cancelled; Performances Now to Begin Feb. 22". Playbill.com. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  15. ^ "Phantom Sequel Love Never Dies Now Due in London and on Broadway in March 2010",Playbill.com
  16. ^ "BWW TV: Stage Tube - LOVE NEVER DIES Press Launch". Broadway World. 2009-10-08. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  17. ^ "A fabulous new Phantom song - now hear it first with The Mail on Sunday". Daily Mail. 2010-02-20. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  18. ^ "STAGE TUBE: LOVE NEVER DIES' Ramin Karimloo Sings 'Till I Hear You Sing'". WestEnd.BroadwayWorld.com. 2010-02-20. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  19. ^ Official Music Video
  20. ^ Gans, Andrew (2010-01-22). "Title Tune From Lloyd Webber's Love Never Dies to World Premiere on South Bank Show Awards". Playbill.com. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  21. ^ "The "new" title song from "Love Never Dies"". BestMusical.net. 2010-02-04. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  22. ^ Gans, Andrew (2007-03-11). "Lloyd Webber Will Pen Phantom Sequel". Playbill.com. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  23. ^ "Love Should Die: Exposing the lunacy behind 'Phantom: Love Never Dies'". Facebook.com. 2010-02-03. p. 13. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
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