LOVE NEVER DIES - US Tour- Page 11

[Bwayfan292]

Posted: 12/25/17 at 10:19pm

ArtMan said: "Where would you be catching this at and why a large chunk of money? I caught it in Orlando Florida and Ilive in Jacksonville so just drove down. I did not need a hotel room for the niI entered the lottery and won a ticket that I picked 12th row Orchestra for $40. They did offer loser seats for a big discount at least at my venue. It was well worth it, but if you have to buy an airline ticket, get a hotel, etc just to see the show, it may not be worth it. I saw the original in London and enjoyed it just as well as the tour."

Im planning on seeing it in Costa mesa in April, and it may not be a large chunk of money but as a Senior in high school, $275ish is a lot for me lol, Im planning on buying tickets for my family

[chernjam]

Posted: 12/25/17 at 10:53pm

broadwayboy223 said: "Anyone know if the plan is still for the tour to open on Broadway?"

The last ALW interview I read was pretty confident that it would.  I suspect that perhaps post - Phantom 30th Anniversary they might make an announcement

[Lot666]

Posted: 12/26/17 at 7:55am

Bwayfan292 said: "Im planning on seeing it in Costa mesa in April, and it may not be a large chunk of money but as a Senior in high school, $275ish is a lot for me lol, Im planning on buying tickets for my family"

Do you mean $275 per ticket, or $275 for your entire family (however many people that is)? 

You should have no trouble obtaining tickets for much less than $275 apiece (this isn't New York, and it isn't Hamilton or Dear Evan Hansen). 

I saw the original London production three times and have also seen the current touring production three times. I guess that means I think it's worth it.

[Bwayfan292]

Posted: 12/26/17 at 11:20am

Lot666 said: "Bwayfan292 said: "Im planning on seeing it in Costa mesa in April, and it may not be a large chunk of money but as a Senior in high school, $275ish is a lot for me lol, Im planning on buying tickets for my family"

Do you mean $275 per ticket, or $275 for your entire family (however many people that is)?

You should have no trouble obtaining tickets for much less than $275 apiece (this isn't New York, and it isn't Hamilton or Dear Evan Hansen).

I saw the original London production three times and have also seen the current touring production three times. I guess that means I think it's worth it."

Thanks! and sorry I should have been more clear it was $275 all together

[dmwnc1959]

Posted: 12/26/17 at 5:42pm

Bwayfan292 said: "Hope everyone is having a great christmas, and for those who dont celebrate christmas, hope you have a great holiday, was wondering if this tour is worth it? I would be catching this in April if i spend the money. It would be a large chunk of money to me, and wanted to know if its worth it for sure to spend the money. "

There is a term I learned in an Economics class: “opportunity cost”. 

Only you can decide if this will be worth it. I’m driving 3-1/2hrs round-trip and spending over $120-$150 just for me as a solo ticket to see it. But I have a full-time job and do this on a regular basis. To me it’s well worth every penny.

The window cards and souvenirs I collect are memories. When I listen to the Broadway cast soundtrack after I’ve seen the show, I can see it in my memories. I remember where I sat, some of the people I talked to, the smiles and tears I experienced during the show. Those are memories that, to me, make it worth it.

Sharing this with your family - is this a memory you’ll cherish forever? Do you collect anything that you can add from the show to draw memories from years down the road? 

Just a few thoughts. :)

 

Updated On: 12/26/17 at 05:42 PM

[Bwayfan292]

Posted: 12/26/17 at 5:46pm

dmwnc1959 said: "Bwayfan292 said: "Hope everyone is having a great christmas, and for those who dont celebrate christmas, hope you have a great holiday, was wondering if this tour is worth it? I would be catching this in April if i spend the money. It would be a large chunk of money to me, and wanted to know if its worth it for sure to spend the money. "

There isa term I learned in an Economics class: “opportunity cost”.

Only you can decide if this will be worth it. I’m driving 3-1/2hrs round-trip and spending over $120-$150 just for me as a solo ticket to see it. But I have a full-time job and do this on a regular basis. To me it’s well worth every penny.

The window cards and souvenirs I collect are memories. When I listen to the Broadway cast soundtrack after I’ve seen the show, I can see it in my memories. Iremember where I sat, some of the people I talked to, the smiles and tears I experienced during the show. Those are memories that, to me, make it worth it.

Sharing this with your family - isthis a memory you’ll cherish forever? Do you collect anything that you can add from the show to draw memories from years down the road?

Just a few thoughts. :)

"

Thank you for this. It helped a lot, i appreciate it! :)

[dmwnc1959]

Posted: 12/26/17 at 5:53pm

Bwayfan292 said: “Thank you for this. It helped a lot, i appreciate it! :)"

You’re welcome. I’m 12 days and counting, and the anticipation grows with every passing day. :)

 

[mozgrrl]

Posted: 12/27/17 at 9:13am

dmwnc1959 said: "Bwayfan292 said: "Hope everyone is having a great christmas, and for those who dont celebrate christmas, hope you have a great holiday, was wondering if this tour is worth it? I would be catching this in April if i spend the money. It would be a large chunk of money to me, and wanted to know if its worth it for sure to spend the money. "

There isa term I learned in an Economics class: “opportunity cost”.

Only you can decide if this will be worth it. I’m driving 3-1/2hrs round-trip and spending over $120-$150 just for me as a solo ticket to see it. But I have a full-time job and do this on a regular basis. To me it’s well worth every penny.

The window cards and souvenirs I collect are memories. When I listen to the Broadway cast soundtrack after I’ve seen the show, I can see it in my memories. Iremember where I sat, some of the people I talked to, the smiles and tears I experienced during the show. Those are memories that, to me, make it worth it.

Sharing this with your family - isthis a memory you’ll cherish forever? Do you collect anything that you can add from the show to draw memories from years down the road?

Just a few thoughts. :)

^^^ I LOVE THIS. Great way to describe it :)

 

 

[dmwnc1959]

Posted: 12/28/17 at 6:14pm

Article in today’s Pittsburgh paper...hope the link works:

http://www.post-gazette.com/ae/theater-dance/2017/12/28/Love-Never-Dies-Phantom-of-the-Opera-sequel-Benedum-Center/stories/201712310306

[David10086]

Posted: 12/28/17 at 10:15pm

This opened on Tuesday (12/26)  in Providence, with Meghan Picerno and Gardar Thor Coates in the lead to a HORRIBLE review  buried in the back of our local paper (The Providence Journal). Critic Channing Gray says the story could have been told in 15 minutes, but drags on for nearly 3 hours. He had nothing good to say about this show - nothing at all.  Price range in Providence is $42- $94. The show had been very heavily promoted for the past 4 - 6 weeks. 

This is followed by the tour of "The Bodyguard" in a couple of weeks, again with heavy promotion. Poor subscribers who are roped into tickets for these shows. 

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 12/28/17 at 11:10pm

Overall, the reviews for the tour have been mostly mixed to negative. I think that once it completes its last tour stop in September - if it makes it that long - the paint will finally be dry for good.

I saw the DVD five years ago and despite a few good songs and my...undying love for the original POTO, I thought it was just as bad as I kinda always knew it would be. Why this thing that should never have happened in the first place continues to be forced to limp along is beyond me.

One last thought: if the production is already filmed for DVD, why would someone pay $150 to see it live?

[chernjam]

Posted: 12/29/17 at 12:06am

Distinctive - there's no indication that this hasn't been well received on the road.  Granted it's not like years ago where the road shows reported their weekly grosses (not sure what that changed...) so no one but the producers know for sure.

In any event, I think most of us who've seen filmed versions of things realize there's a major difference between viewing something on a screen and experiencing it live in the theatre.  The Light in the Piazza is something that I've seen on screen numerous times and would be buying tickets for if a revival ever surfaced.  The reason you can't imagine paying $150 to see it live is because you obviously dislike it.  I for one hope to see it live

[adamgreer]

Posted: 12/29/17 at 12:15am

This show will get savaged by the critics in New York if it moves to Broadway.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 12/29/17 at 1:18am

chernjam -

Today I was Googling reviews for it in different cities and it’s been pretty thoroughly trashed. But you are right, it’s ultimately ticket sales that matter.

Anyway, as a theatre person I of course believe that there is something unreplicable about a live theatre performance. That said, a piece of theatre that has been well-filmed does have its own pleasures, and sometimes the thrill of seeing something live is not worth the travel and expense.

[whitestar45]

Posted: 12/29/17 at 2:25am

Channing Gray's review makes it obvious why he writes for a small local newspaper. He has no idea what he is talking about. 

[dmwnc1959]

Posted: 12/29/17 at 7:33am

David10086 said: "This opened onTuesday (12/26) in Providence, with Meghan Picerno and Gardar Thor Coates in the lead to a HORRIBLE review buried in the back of our local paper (The Providence Journal). Critic Channing Gray says the story could have been told in 15 minutes, but drags on for nearly 3 hours. He had nothing good to say about this show - nothing at all.Price range in Providence is $42- $94. The show had been very heavily promoted for the past 4 - 6 weeks.

This is followed by the tour of "The Bodyguard" in a couple of weeks, again with heavy promotion. Poor subscribers who are roped into tickets for these shows."

 

Here’s an online review of his I found...

http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20171226/theater-review-phantom-of-opera-sequel-overblown-tearjerker

I’m 9 days and counting. His review didn’t bother me in the least. Can’t wait!!! 

 

[Brian07663NJ]

Posted: 12/29/17 at 12:08pm

I've seen the DVD of the show. It isn't the greatest but it isn't the worst show I've seen. To even try to say "why would people go see this live if it is available on DVD? means that you really don't grasp what LIVE theater is all about." If you attend a live performance of the same show more than one time, even in the same week, you will understand that the variation in audience members make the show as well as the show itself. I saw WICKED years ago and on a second trip I was fortunately by random chance to be there for the final performance of Kristin Chenoweth - that performance by far has to be one of the most memorable because the audience was blowing the roof off the building. 

I am eagerly anticipating seeing LOVE NEVER DIES tomorrow! Snow stay up in the clouds please so I can drive there and back without incident!

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 12/29/17 at 12:36pm

Brian07663NJ said: "I've seen the DVD of the show. It isn't the greatest but it isn't the worst show I've seen. To even try to say "why would people go see this live if it is available on DVD? means that you really don't grasp what LIVE theater is all about."

 

Dude, I’m a seasoned theater professional and theater is my friggin LIFE. I think I have an idea of “what live theater is all about.” Love Never Dies sucks. Seeing it in person will not make it any less terrible. But hey, have a good time.

 

[dmwnc1959]

Posted: 12/29/17 at 1:26pm

 "Brian07663NJ said: "I've seen the DVD of the show. It isn't the greatest but it isn't the worst show I've seen. To even try to say "why would people go see this live if it is available on DVD? means that you really don't grasp what LIVE theater is all about. I am eagerly anticipating seeing LOVE NEVER DIES tomorrow! Snow stay up in the clouds please so I can drive there and back without incident! "

The Distinctive Baritone said: Dude, I’m a seasoned theaterprofessional and theater is my friggin LIFE. I think I have an idea of “what live theater is all about.”Love Never Diessucks. Seeing it in person will not make it any less terrible. But hey, have a good time."

 

Hey, at some point even seasoned theater professionals can become jaded, critics lose sight of what entertains the crowd. During its run in Pittsburgh next week 20,000+ people will have seen this show. All of them won’t have the same opinion as you or the critics that have reviewed this show. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, whether they are life-long Broadway Legends or newbie Understudies. I saw 11 shows this year - “Something Rotten”, “The Book Of Mormon”, “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time”, “The King and I”, “Fun Home”, “Dirty Dancing”, “An American in Paris”, “School of Rock”, “Phantom of the Opera” (new version), “The Color Purple”, and “The Lion King” - and enjoyed every single one of them. I have six more between now and June 2018 - “Love Never Dies”, “Wicked”, “Waitress”, “Rent”, “The Humans”, and “Aladdin”. I don’t buy tickets to shows that I think will, as you say, suck. 

I’ll be back after I’ve seen the show with a post-performance wrap up. But don’t expect me to ravage it with negativity. 

Updated On: 12/29/17 at 01:26 PM

[David10086]

Posted: 12/29/17 at 5:12pm

whitestar45 said: "Channing Gray's review makes it obvious why he writes for a small local newspaper. He has no idea what he is talking about."

 

Who said it was a small newspaper? 

 

The ProJo is the longest running daily newspaper, very well respected and has won its share of Pulitzer Prizes. Channing Gray is a renowned critic. 

My local newspaper - yes. A small newspaper - nothing can be further from the truth. 

 

[whitestar45]

Posted: 12/29/17 at 5:55pm

LOL!

[Brian07663NJ]

Posted: 1/2/18 at 9:09am

I attended the matinee performance of Love Never Dies in Providence, RI on Saturday, December 30, 2017.

The weather was an absolute disaster. The planned 3 hour drive from New Jersey for me turned into just over 5 hours so I arrived 30 minutes into the first act. I was very disappointed but arrived safe in spite of all the accidents I passed along the way. When I left New Jersey a little after 9am nothing was happening and about half way into the trip 'snow happened'. It was light and steady, not entirely alarming.

Overall the performance appears to be the exact presentation on the DVD. I did not notice that much changed. In the final scene I saw that the set changed in a minor way in how the safety bar is removed so it is not an obstruction during that final moment (avoiding a spoiler). On the DVD the bar drops and in this touring production stage hands physically remove it.

If I had to pick one troubling weakness it would be the performance of Christine (I don't have my Playbill nearby to post who performed the role and don't want to misname the performer). When she sang in the higher ranges it was seriously difficult to understand her words. I didn't just experience this. I brought it up with my husband after the show and he agreed.

Overall, my impression in comparison to "part one" (LOL) would be that the original keeps climbing in intensity where this "part two" never manages to climb and soar. Love Never Dies tries to marry itself backwards but if you removed the familiar melody snippets from its predecessor you would merely have a love triangle story with one being an ugly deformed man. 

I would enjoy seeing this again and happily could envision myself sitting in the theater another time. When I think if I would bring friends/family to see this or recommend it - I actually would. When the curtain came down on Saturday the reception of the audience was that Love Never Dies is accepted and enjoyed. Thunderous applause and cheers were heard. The critics might not love this but I think those who enjoy Andrew Lloyd Webber will - haters will still hate hahaha.

[Lot666]

Posted: 1/2/18 at 11:32am

The Distinctive Baritone said: "...if the production is already filmed for DVD, why would someone pay $150 to see it live?"

I saw it live in London, bought and watched the Australian DVD, and then saw it live on tour multiple times. Why go to a concert if you can just listen to a CD or radio? The simple answer is the live experience is more satisfying than a video recording for many people.

 

[Lot666]

Posted: 1/2/18 at 11:35am

dmwnc1959 said: "Here’s an online review of his I found...

http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20171226/theater-review-phantom-of-opera-sequel-overblown-tearjerker

I’m 9 days and counting. His review didn’t bother me in the least. Can’t wait!!!"

Never let critics tell you what you should and shouldn't like.

[Lot666]

Posted: 1/2/18 at 11:38am

The Distinctive Baritone said: "Dude, I’m a seasoned theater professional and theater is my friggin LIFE. I think I have an idea of “what live theater is all about.”

In a previous post, you asked "if the production is already filmed for DVD, why would someone pay $150 to see it live?" That question hardly suggests "a seasoned theater professional" for whom "theater is [your] friggin LIFE".