Andrew Lloyd Webber sets opening days for 'Phantom' sequel
"Love Never Dies," the long-awaited musical sequel to the "The Phantom of the Opera," officially has an opening date.
In a statement today, Andrew Lloyd Webber said the musical will first open in London at the Adelphi Theatre on March 9. And it will open on Broadway on Nov. 11, 2010 at an as-yet-unnamed theater.
Set in Coney Island in New York, "Love Never Dies" picks up 10 years after the story of "Phantom," as the title character moves from his lair in the Paris Opera House to the fairgrounds of the popular Long Island locale. The show will star Ramin Karimloo as the Phantom and Sierra Boggess as Christine in the London production.
"There's unfinished business," Lloyd Webber told a group of journalists in London, according to the Associated Press. "I don't regard this as a sequel; it's a standalone piece." The AP also reported that he wanted to create a new production because he thought the ending of the original was too boring.
Tony-winning director Jack O'Brien will stage the production. The music is by Lloyd Webber, who co-wrote the book; the lyrics are by Glenn Slater.
The album for "Love Never Dies" has been recorded and will be released to coincide with the London world premiere.
The new opening dates represent a delay, because people in the industry had originally expected the show to bow in the fall of 2009 in a simultaneous worldwide rollout.
"Love Never Dies" is also set to open in Australia sometime in 2011.
-- David Ng
Photo: Andrew Lloyd Webber, left, with Sierra Boggess, who plays Christine Daae, and Ramin Karimloo, who plays the Phantom. Credit: Matt Dunham / Associated Press
Can't wait to see it. I may have to make my way to London to see it sooner
Posted by: Macey | October 08, 2009 at 10:13 AM
Strange how sections of the musical The Phantom of the Opera sound a lot like themes from Pink Floyd's "Echoes". Well Mr. Webber?
Posted by: Dave | October 08, 2009 at 10:14 AM
Can I buy a plane ticket to Australia 2 years in advance? =P
Posted by: HKK | October 08, 2009 at 01:00 PM
Did you know that Lloyd Webber's sequel will premiere in the 100th anniversary year of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA? Gaston Leroux's original novel was first serialised in 1909 and first published in book format in 1910. To find out more and to receive all the latest news concerning everything PHANTOM, follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/fantomedelopera
Posted by: Le Fantôme de l'Opéra | October 08, 2009 at 07:22 PM
I can't wait! I love Phantom of the Opera so much, and I did hate the ending. I'm so proud of Webber for making a new show! I'll definitly have to make my way to New York to see the Broadway show. :-)
Posted by: Rachael | October 10, 2009 at 08:17 AM