LOVE NEVER DIES - US Tour- Page 3

[Famebroadway2]

Posted: 6/8/17 at 9:34am

Sorry, Phantom is coming to Philly....Again. Not LND. 

[chernjam]

Posted: 6/8/17 at 9:57am

Justin D said: "...
"

"again and then again, beneath a moonless sky"

"

I guess this is my maturing/lack thereof... When I read that, I just heard in my head "DANG Phantom... " :)

[Lot666]

Posted: 6/8/17 at 10:21am

Justin D said: "again and then again, beneath a moonless sky"

I think that lyric refers to the "actions" of the characters on one specific evening, not to a series of rendezvous. They sing about only one night.

[chernjam]

Posted: 7/3/17 at 1:45am

The trailer for the Tour is up - all footage from the Australian DVD - but excited to see it:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFeO5elBXRg

[Lot666]

Posted: 7/5/17 at 11:57am

chernjam said: "The trailer for the Tour is up - all footage from the Australian DVD - but excited to see it:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFeO5elBXRg"

I'm dying for an official trailer for the tour to be released, but I suspect that this is not it. In the description section below the video, it says "I created this video with the YouTube Video Editor (http://www.youtube.com/editor)". (Some of the visuals don't pair well with the audio selections - I think someone at BAA just cobbled this piece together.)

I really wish they'd make some casting announcements!

Updated On: 7/5/17 at 11:57 AM

[Alexander Lamar]

Posted: 7/5/17 at 12:18pm

Every time I hear of this show, I think of this:

Cat Destroys Lloyd Webber's Phantom Sequel Score

 

10 years ago.....

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 7/5/17 at 10:17pm

Alexander Lamar said: "Every time I hear of this show, I think of this:

Cat Destroys Lloyd Webber's Phantom Sequel Score

 

10 years ago.....

 

"

I know, right??? Talk about ignoring a sign from God. POTO had the perfect ending. This show ruins it.

It's also just plain bad on its own terms.

[chernjam]

Posted: 10/6/17 at 2:21am

Semi - positive review:  http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/arts/artsmash/bs-wk-love-never-dies-review-20171004-story.html

[Lot666]

Posted: 10/6/17 at 8:07am

chernjam said: "Semi - positive review:http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/arts/artsmash/bs-wk-love-never-dies-review-20171004-story.html"

I saw this and was pleasantly surprised (I'm expecting critics to follow the lead of their London peers, because that's what critics usually do).

[freewilma]

Posted: 10/6/17 at 9:51am

Interesting article about how the touring production in Baltimore isn't supposed to be reviewed yet. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2017/10/05/the-most-popular-musical-ever-has-a-sequel-were-not-supposed-to-review-it/?utm_term=.15fb34ec2cbd

[chernjam]

Posted: 10/6/17 at 9:51am

There was another article in the Washington Post that moaned about not being able to review it because it was a preview (but they're charging $200 top ticket, blah, blah, blah) - I give ALW credit... this is a risky proposition of starting on the road with a lesser-known work of his.  I'm hoping that good word of mouth will follow it and perhaps evolve into a full Broadway production (and I remember reading/hearing talks of a return to the West End)

[Lot666]

Posted: 10/6/17 at 10:08am

chernjam said: "There was another article in the Washington Post that moaned about not being able to review it because it was a preview (but they're charging $200 top ticket, blah, blah, blah) - I give ALW credit... this is a risky proposition of starting on the road with a lesser-known work of his. I'm hoping that good word of mouth will follow it and perhaps evolve into a full Broadway production (and I remember reading/hearing talks of a return to the West End)"

I read that piece as well, and while I agree in general that tickets for previews shouldn't be priced the same as those for post-opening performances, it's hardly unusual these days. In the last few years, I've found preview dates for Broadway shows selling at virtually the same price as after opening.

The rumors of this show returning to the West End have been circulating for some time now. I hope it happens, but even more so, I'd like to see LND finally make it to Broadway. Preferably at the Broadhurst, so the two could play right next door to one another. 

Updated On: 10/6/17 at 10:08 AM

[chernjam]

Posted: 10/6/17 at 12:37pm

Lot666 said: "
I read that piece as well, and while I agree in general that tickets for previews shouldn't be priced the same as those for post-opening performances, it's hardly unusualthese days.In the last few years, I've found preview dates for Broadway shows selling at virtually the same price as after opening.

The rumors of this show returning to the West End have been circulating for some time now. I hope it happens, but even more so, I'd like to see LND finally make it to Broadway. Preferably at the Broadhurst, so thetwo could place right next door to one another."

That would be really, really cool...  When LND first premiered (and there was the expectation it was opening the following Fall in NY) my mom and I had already planned to do the double-feature of Phantom matinee and LND at evening.  Still hope that occurs!

[Lot666]

Posted: 10/6/17 at 1:18pm

chernjam said: "When LND first premiered (and there was the expectation it was opening the following Fall in NY) my mom and I had already planned to do the double-feature of Phantom matinee and LND at evening. Still hope that occurs!"

I was planning the double-feature as well, then when it only opened in London, my intuition told me to get over there and see it now. And I did see The Brilliant Original at Her Majesty's on the same day!

[mozgrrl]

Posted: 10/9/17 at 12:23pm

I saw this in Baltimore this weekend and thought it was really good. Some problems with the sound system (clicking and popping etc), but everyone was brilliant. I went to the 2pm matinee and saw the Phantom understudy Bronson Norris Murphy, he was really great. This role seems more vocally demanding than the original Phantom role, but I'm no singer, so that's just my uneducated opinion. Meghan Picerno was ABSOLUTELY stunning. Her voice is incredible. All in all, I really loved the show and would travel to see it again...oh and I bought a ton of merch...they had a red womens t-shirt (V-neck), black unisex t-shirt (with a big mask on the back and under it said "The Phantom Returns", nice black zippy hoodie (same mask on back), mug, poster (14 X 22), some magnets etc.

Updated On: 10/9/17 at 12:23 PM

[cryan71]

Posted: 10/9/17 at 3:02pm

Hey question if you saw the DVD of the Australian version, what has changed?

[egnarotsew]

Posted: 10/9/17 at 6:44pm

cryan71 said: "Hey question if you saw the DVD of the Australian version, what has changed?"

There are lyric changes to The Beauty Underneath.  Also, there is a change in dialog between the Phantom and Gustav.  I don’t want to spoil anything so if you want to know the specifics send me a dm.

[chernjam]

Posted: 10/9/17 at 9:20pm

If you don't mind, maybe post the changes here with the Spoiler key...

 

I'm curious - also wondering if they went with the change to the melody of "The Beauty Underneath"

[egnarotsew]

Posted: 10/9/17 at 10:45pm

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

In the scene where Gustave is playing the piano in the beginning of The Beauty Underneath the Phantom asks him to sing like he does to Christine in Phantom.  Also in this scene the Phantom is more frantic.  There are lyric changes to the song, and it is faster.

Another difference is that when Christine is reading the letter Raoul is not in the mirror but rather to the side of the stage.

Can you please explain the change of the melody to which you are referring? 

The performance I attended had some excitement.  The understudy for the Phantom went on for the second act and then there was a set malfunction that took a good amount of time to fix.

Updated On: 10/9/17 at 10:45 PM

[chernjam]

Posted: 10/9/17 at 11:31pm

Here's the german revised "Beauty underneath":  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yw1ymiFT3YQ 

[RW3]

Posted: 10/10/17 at 11:22am

I've been meaning to write my thoughts about the show so here it goes:

I saw the show Sunday night and wasn't sure what to expect. I knew of the show's history and I have the Australian version on DVD but I didn't know how many changes would differ from that version and the German production. I knew I was in for an interesting experience because outside the theatre there were two signs saying that Bronson Norris Murphy and Rachel Anne Moore would be on for the Phantom and Christine. The Hippodrome was quite full for a Sunday night performance. It wasn't sold out but a large amount of people were there. Act 1 started a little late due to people arriving late. Then, for the most part, Act 1 went well. There weren't many changes to the score with the exception of "The Beauty Underneath" which I loved. The audience seemed to be quite receptive of the first act. Act 2 was pretty much the same. There were no snags or lags. It is well paced second act. Personally, I think Act 2 of Love Never Dies is much stronger than Act 1 due simply to the fact that the setup and reintroduction of the characters is done with and we can just focus on the story. "Devil takes the Hindmost", "Love Never Dies", and the conclusion on the pier really struck a chord with the crowd I was with. Compared with the London and Australian production, there were slight changes made to the ending and I thought they worked so well. The emotions they were trying to evoke happened and I was stunned myself that I was caught up in those emotions. Now speaking of the performances, I thought a lot of the cast was really on fire for this last performance in Baltimore. Bronson Norris Murphy was convincing as the Phantom. I won't be too harsh on him because this was the first weekend he had ever gone on for the role and it did show sometimes but certainly did not detract me from enjoying what he was doing. Rachel Anne Moore was great. She brought this poise with Christine that I hadn't seen Anna O'Byrne play with. Her experience of doing Love Never Dies in Germany helps and it certainly shows. Sean Thompson's portrayal of Raoul was very in much in the same of Simon Gleeson's performance and it works. Raoul is supposed to be this cold gambler and you believe it. Karen Mason's Madame Giry and Mary Michael Patterson's Meg was a treat. Madame Giry is still as cold as she was in POTO and Meg's descent into what the ultimately does is understandable. It was also interesting to see Mary Michael Patterson, who was my 1st Christine, play Meg. It was great to see her take on character. I forget who our Gustav was but he was good. The crowd certainly loved him. The set is fine but looks like it has been scaled down to fit theaters across the country. The music really shined. ALW created some strong melodies for this show. I think this is Glenn Slater's best show, lyrically. Though, I wish Charles Hart had just written the whole show. However, the book for me is still the weakest element. Yes, it is more streamlined that the London production but I wish some things were more shown instead of told. For example, Meg keeps asking if the Phantom has seen her perform and what critiques he has for her but we never see the two of them interact until the finale at the pier so it can feel a little weird. All in all, I enjoyed the show, especially the second act. I hope we get a cast recording since the show has changed so much since the London cast recording.

 

[RW3]

Posted: 10/10/17 at 11:30am

One last thing

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

When Christine got shot, the whole theater gasped. People were so surprised.

 

[mozgrrl]

Posted: 10/10/17 at 12:57pm

Same reaction during my show. One thing I liked (seeing it live)...

 

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

is when the gun went off it really looked like the Phantom was shot and people gasped, then Christine fell. That "longer" pause was a great addition. I didn't notice that on the DVD...or maybe it just has a more powerful impression live.

 

RW3 said: "One last thing

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

When Christine got shot, the whole theater gasped. People were so surprised.

"

 

[johannabarker]

Posted: 10/10/17 at 1:20pm

Returning to BWW with my two cents.

Woman in White is being revised and returning to London this year, with a focus on Laura Fairlie it seems.

Love Never Dies has never had a successful production. The London production closed at a loss, the Australian production closed early, the Danish production did okay, the Japanese production was not replicated again by the Toho company, and the German production was a big fat flop There's a reason this is not going directly to Broadway.

I honestly would not be surprised if this was ghost written by a fifteen year old "Phanatic" in 2005. This whole thing reads like a bad fanfic, from Raoul being a bad husband to Christine and father to Gustave, to the two virgins having crazy good sex, Meg being in love with the Phantom despite her only real character traits in the original being "promising dancer" and "Christine's BFF". It's utterly nonsensical.

And Beneath A Moonless Sky always leaves me in stitches because the whole song you're waiting for "And I f-cked you"

I'd much rather this clearly talented cast be in a tour of the original production. And people will say "look a sold out tour! THis is successful" when it's really easy to sell out eight shows in Boise, versus this would flop on Broadway,

[chernjam]

Posted: 10/10/17 at 3:50pm

johannabarker said: "Returning to BWW with my two cents.

Woman in White is being revised and returning to London this year, with a focus on Laura Fairlie it seems.

Love Never Dies has never had a successful production. The London production closed at a loss, the Australian production closed early, the Danish production did okay, the Japanese production was not replicated again by the Toho company, and the German production was a big fat flop There's a reason this is not going directly to Broadway.

I honestly would not be surprised if this was ghost written by a fifteen year old "Phanatic" in 2005. This whole thing reads like a bad fanfic, from Raoul being a bad husband to Christine and father to Gustave, to the two virgins having crazy good sex, Meg being in love with the Phantom despite her only real character traits in the original being "promising dancer" and "Christine's BFF". It's utterly nonsensical.

And Beneath A Moonless Sky always leaves me in stitches because the whole song you're waiting for "And I f-cked you"

I'd much rather this clearly talented cast be in a tour of the original production. And people will say "look a sold out tour! THis is successful" when it's really easy to sell out eight shows in Boise, versus this would flop on Broadway,"

Here’s our bi weekly bash, rehashing her same old talking points once again.

this is the epitome of Fake News