LOVE NEVER DIES Changes Likely Before Broadway Run- Page 2

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 3/14/10 at 10:54am

I got the CD a few days ago and have listed to it a few times from start to finish. For the most part I was expecting a giant crap fest but I find it quite good with what I think is some absolutely beautiful music.

There are a few things I'm not crazy about plot wise (from what I can tell from the cd) but musically I think it fits very well next to PHANTOM. *shrugs*

[evic]

Posted: 3/14/10 at 3:23pm

So in other words, they realize the show is crap.....Didn't see it, don't plan to...but from reading about it.listening to a few songs, and seeing the pics,...looks like total schlock....ALW's days have passed ....10 years ago...it seems like the over the top raves are from ALW ass kissers and friends who are probably alcoholics who didn't even know what they saw.

[darquegk]

Posted: 3/14/10 at 4:11pm

Not necessarily... is every fan of Wicked a shill? It sure seems like it, but no.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 3/14/10 at 4:12pm

"it seems like the over the top raves are from ALW ass kissers and friends who are probably alcoholics who didn't even know what they saw."

I nominate this for the "Stupidest BWW Comment Of The Year" award.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 3/14/10 at 4:21pm

PHANTOM has been in my life since I was 15 years old... I can not remember a day without it, nor do I want to.

Having just gotten the deluxe version of the CD yesterday, I must say... The music is glorious, the story is very dramatic and romantic... and as much as I hate to admit it, the lyrics are... not even passable. Judging from the pictures, it looks amazing. Judging from the CD, the voices/performances are top notch... Now give them the right words to sing. The Phantom would not say "HE KNOWS YOU'RE MADE OF FINER STUFF... LEAVE HIM IN THE DUST..."

If someone can redo the lyrics, people will be MUCH more accepting and happy.

Updated On: 3/14/10 at 04:21 PM

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 3/14/10 at 4:47pm

The positive reviews came mainly from the U.K. critics who seem to love over-the-top spectacle and are less concerned with text (i.e. - book & lyrics.) The U.S. critics were faster at picking up on these failings.

These complaints have haunted Webber ever since he dissolved his partnership with Rice. If the bad reviews so far have failed to convince him of the importance of having good lyrics and a strong book, what makes anyone think he would suddenly give this show the drastic revision in needs before coming to Broadway?

[Angel_Erik]

Posted: 3/24/10 at 11:13am

I first heard POTO when I was two and loved it ever since. I have read the original novel and a fanfic sequel. I got the recording of Love Never Dies, and while I agree that some of the words need to be changed ("finer stuff" especially)and that the plot has some minor flaws, I do love the music. Beneath the Moonless Sky is beautiful and so passionate. Devil take the Hindmost is also fantastic, I love the pitting of Raoul against Phantom, which always lacked for me from the original. I hope they do not change much, most importantly the ending. The Phantom and Christine can NOT end up together. Their love is forbidden and if that was changed the whole story would be meaningless.

[Sally]

Posted: 3/24/10 at 2:12pm

Well, I *do* like some of the music....

[Scripps2]

Posted: 3/24/10 at 4:28pm

"Is there any truth to the rumor that this show is being referred to as Paint Never Dries?

It's not a rumor. People are calling it that, and I believe it originated here: http://westendwhingers.wordpress.com/2010/03/02/review-love-never-dies-adelphi-theatre/ "


Nah.

The Paint Never Dries references originated back stage at the Adelphi when the first preview was cancelled due to the set not being ready.

It was referred to on the West End board before the West End Whingers published their review.

[evic]

Posted: 3/24/10 at 5:55pm

Hey Spider- Like critics aren't in bed with certain composers? and like most Brits aren't all fall down drunks?...all they do is talk about drinking...****- even little prince Harry had to be carried off from passing out on the street in a vomitous drunken stupor a few years ago...and his father said it was a right of passage!- Queen Mum liked to toss em back big time.....part of their culture...and make sure that if you dine with them, that their wine glasses are always 3/4 full! or they will be upset. Nation of alcoholics-they would drink piss if it was put in front of them.

[Scripps2]

Posted: 3/24/10 at 7:02pm

Mine's a vodka & tonic.

[Mark_E]

Posted: 3/24/10 at 7:11pm

Archers and Lemonade for me please, although I wouldn't pass up a few lagers.

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 3/24/10 at 7:26pm

Sorry to post a bit late on here, just got back from a 'AA' meeting, Just in time to pour myself a large Scotch, naturally the malt variety.
Updated On: 3/24/10 at 07:26 PM

[Weez]

Posted: 3/24/10 at 7:36pm

I'm sorry, I don't understand the question. Is it possible to *not* be drunk? When I turn on the taps, gin comes out! 8D

[Dantes]

Posted: 3/24/10 at 10:26pm

i got a job in a bar today because as a brit i love drink that much, i dont wanna make tips, just buy me a vodka damnit

[mikeysussex]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 3:40am

Pot ... kettle ... black

Triples all round!!!

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 4:46am

The CD of LND entered the Billboard charts last week at #82 (with just over 7,000 copies sold nationwide.)

This week it drops to # 179.

Is the American public finally tiring of ALW's endless recycling of the same musical ideas?

[chewy5000]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 8:39am

I just heard the opening, and it was nagging me as to where I had heard the melody before. Eventually I realised it was lifted directly from some of the sprechstimme form 'Sunset'. It still sounded cool, but I don't think I could stand a whole show full of it.

[BroadwayBen]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 10:30am

The wild irony here is that no one will publicly acknowledge that ALW's work is sub par, and that the show's failings are largely because of that. The man has not had a successful show since the original phantom, and he has had several flops (By Jeeves, Whistle, Beautiful Game, Woman in White). Why does everyone pretend that he's still a legitimate artistic force? It's all been average for 20 years now. I know I'll get flamed, but its really curious to me.

[Musical-Matt]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 10:33am

well this is unheard of! the last time i was drunk was infact....yesterday! And myabe the day before, and the day before that! anyway enough of my british alcaholic view. you think the brits are bad with drink, I was in ireland, man I wish i was irish! all i drank was jamersons and guinness :)

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 10:39am

BroadwayBen, you forgot about Aspects of Love.

I personally like a lot of the scores he's written since Phantom but I cannot deny that they have not been hits. Whistle hasn't even made it to Broadway.

[ArtMan]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 10:45am

I saw Love Never Dies on March 15. I decided to give you my opinion of the show. I am neither a theatre major or an expert on theatre structure,etc. I either enjoy a show based on whether or not I was entertained or bored to death. I must say I was truly entertained by Love Never Dies. I purposely did not read the reviews or listen to the music prior to. Is Love Never Dies as great as Phantom? No. Are there predictable plot points? Yes. Is the score as great as Phantom? No. But the production has some beautiful songs in the score. It is very well acted. The sets and lighting are spectactcular in places. Is it a brilliant production without flaws? No. But it is not a total mess that many may lead you to believe. Again, don't debate me on production structure, etc because you will win. I can just say I was entertained and for me it was an enjoyable night out.

[Sally]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 1:32pm

I think your comments are quite legitimate, Artman. Some shows are uplifting or edifying or intellectually challenging, but if they are not entertaining, not many will see them.

Lloyd Webber took a very big gamble in writing and seeing to production a sequel to the incredibly successful Phantom of the Opera. I don't know whether it was courage, obsession, or hubris on his part, but it doesn't look like Love Never Dies will be either a complete flop or anything like the success of the original show.

I wasn't paying any attention to musical theater in 1986, but wasn't Phantom of the Opera picking up steam and selling out by this time into the production? They didn't make any *major* changes after it was up and running. There seems to be some agreement that the book and lyrics of LND need work before they try to open in New York---JUST the book and lyrics.

I think that the only problem that cropped up in bringing Phantom to Broadway was getting Sarah Brightman into the country so she could be compared to a chipmunk.

Yes, it's fair to compare LND to the original. ALW knew they would be compared from the beginning although he tried to weasel out of it by describing the new show as "not a sequel" and a "stand alone" show.

I don't have any idea what changes they will make for Broadway, but guessing what will play on B'way is a hard game. Famously (or infamously) the producers guessed wrong when they changed Tanz der Vampire into a lighter, slapstick Dance of the Vampires, and Lloyd Webber didn't do very well making changes for Broadway with his The Woman in White.

[slmlbl]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 2:54pm

Finally got around to listening to the cd.

there is SOME beautiful music in there. There are also some which seem like they belong in an entirely different musical (bathing beauties, anyone?) And theres also some which seems like it WAS in a diffent musical (the prolouge seems to mirror Woman in White and i heard little hints of Evita in there at one point.) I think it's ALW's strongest score in YEARS and there's some incredible moments which can stand up next to his best works with pride.(LND, til i hear you sing, devil, beneath) i wish that there were more stand alone songs and less of the scene-song buissness which he's grown fond of (see also; the woman in white)

The Giry's must go or be changed dramatically. both are so grating, so different from the original and so out of place.I also just don't care for raoul. at all. nothing redeeming about any of these characters, which makes it ahrd to invest in them and in raouls case hard to invest in the idea of the love triange when its clear who should win (btw, who IS this phantom. i feel like on his way to america he had some anger managment lessons and some zoloft.)

I miss Tim Rice, the lyrics are a bog problem for me. Not as big as the plot/characters but, still a problem.

Sierra and Ramin are the best things about this production in my opinion, so surprising and wonderful.

I honestly do think there is a show in there, and i honestly do believe there is a good show in there. Will that good show ever see the light? I'm not convinced... I think they need some major changes before B'way, the question is how much will they ackknowlege/adress the need for change? will they change a few lyrics and replace a song or two or give it some major overhauling (which it needs)

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 4:56pm

The problems with the show are not JUST the book and lyrics -- the problems are fundamental. The story itself is revisionist history, doing its best to tell us what the creators NOW think The Phantom of the Opera has been about for the last 23 years. The "plot" (what little there is of it -- mostly contrived twists and character elements) is soap opera camp at best.

Yes, like most ALW shows there are several glorious melodies in there, but the show itself is just a plain old bad idea from start to finish. ALW should be composing film soundtracks or writing songs, and in general staying away from anything that permits him story input.