Love Never Dies

Love Never Dies, Andrew Lloyd Webber's long-anticipated sequel to The Phantom of the Opera, begins performances at the West End's Adelphi Theatre Feb. 22, after cancelling the first planned preview on Feb. 20. It will open officially March 9.
A Broadway opening has also already been set for Nov. 11, 2010, at a theatre still to be announced, and the Australian premiere is planned for 2011.
The score is written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, the lyrics are by Glenn Slater (currently represented in London by his lyrics to Alan Menken's music for Sister Act, and who also previously collaborated with Menken on additional songs for Broadway's The Little Mermaid), 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.'"
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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.
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).
Karimloo, who creates the role of The Phantom in Love Never Dies, previously played the same role in the West End for the last two years. He previously covered the role, and has also played Raoul in the production, as well as the role of Christine's Father in Joel Schumacher's 2004 film version of "The Phantom of the Opera," making him the only actor to have played all three of Christine's loves. His other stage credits include starring as Enjolras in Les Miserables in the West End, Chris in the U.K. tour of Miss Saigon, and Artie Green in the U.K. tour of Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard.
Boggess makes her West End debut in Love Never Dies; she made her Broadway debut in 2007, creating the lead role of Ariel in Disney's stage version of The Little Mermaid. She has previously also understudied the role of Cosette in the Broadway national tour of Les Miserables.
It will be possible for London theatregoers to see the whole Phantom story in a single day, by attending the matinees of The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty's Theatre on Tuesday or Saturday afternoons, and the evening performances of Love Never Dies on those evenings.
Performances in London at the Adelphi Theatre will be Mondays - Saturdays at 7:30 PM, with Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2:30 PM. Tickets, priced from £25.00–£67.50, are available from the Adelphi Theatre Box Office by calling 0844 412 4651 or online at loveneverdies.