Lloyd Webber's Love Never Dies Will Likely Undergo Changes Prior to Broadway

By Andrew Gans
and Mark Shenton
12 Mar 2010

Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess
Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess
Photo by Catherine Ashmore

Andrew Lloyd Webber's Love Never Dies, which officially opened in London March 9 at the Adelphi Theatre, will likely be revised before it arrives on Broadway next season at the Neil Simon Theatre.

The New York Times spoke with an executive connected with the production who said that composer Lloyd Webber is committed to bringing the Phantom of the Opera sequel to Broadway. As previously announced, opening in New York is scheduled for Nov. 11.

The executive, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that changes to the London production were likely. And, Andre Ptaszynski, who runs The Really Useful Group, told the New York Post that the musical's creative team met following the reviews and discussed "the work we and [director] Jack [O'Brien] would like to do before the show opens on Broadway."

The score is written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, the lyrics are by Glenn Slater, and the book is jointly the work of Lloyd Webber, Ben Elton and Slater, with director O'Brien also making contributions.

According to the official website for the musical, "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.'"

Ramin Karimloo, who recently played the title role of The Phantom for a two-year stint in the West End, reprises the same role, and Sierra Boggess plays Christine, a role she previously played in the premiere of Phantom – the Las Vegas Spectacular in 2007.

Joseph Millson
photo by Catherine Ashmore
They are joined by Joseph Millson, Liz Robertson and Summer Strallen as Raoul, Madame Giry and Madame Giry's daughter Meg, respectively. The cast also includes Niamh Perry, Adam Pearce, Jami Reid-Quarrell, Derek Andrews, Dean Chisnall, Helen Dixon, Lucie Downer, Paul Farrell, Charlene Ford, Chris Gage, Lucy van Gasse, Celia Graham, Simon Ray Harvey, Jack Horner, Erin Anna Jameson, Pip Jordan, Jessica Kirton, Louise Madison, Janet Mooney, Colette Morrow, Tam Mutu, Ashley Nottingham, Tom Oakley, Mark Skipper, Jonathan Stewart, Tim Walton and Annette Yeo.

The show is directed by Jack O'Brien and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, currently represented together in the West End fulfilling the same duties on Hairspray (running through March 28, then embarking on an immediate U.K tour). Sets and costumes are designed by Bob Crowley (currently represented on Broadway by his Tony-winning sets for Mary Poppins).

For more information visit www.loveneverdies.com.