Latest "Phantom" sequel article

Just how far can ALW ramp up the repulsion here (to borrow a line from MST3K)? Every previous mention of this idea has made me want to bang my head against a wall. This article makes me want to throw myself off a ledge.

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/118218.html

"The Stage reports that the working title for Lloyd Webber's new musical is Phantom: Once Upon Another Time. . . .

"The Daily Mail previously described the sequel plot this way: 'The Phantom has slipped away to New York and has set up a fairground world on Coney Island, along with Madame Giry and her daughter, Meg. He organizes a concert in Manhattan for Christine, the object of his desire. Christine travels to the U.S. with her husband Raoul and their teenage son, who happens to be a musical genius...just like the Phantom.'"

Continuity? Who needs it?

Hasn't the Coney Island/concert for Christine plot been a part of this show from it's inception, back when its working title was Phantom in Manhattan? I've never read the book, but I assumed that plotline was lifted from the then-associated novel The Phantom of Manhattan.

But now it appears he's keeping the same plot, but dispensing with the aforementioned book: "The show is not based on source material."

I'm so confused. Much like this ill-attempt of a show, I'd imagine.

This title is five times as bad as "The Phantom of Manhattan"

Why on earth would someone of the caliber of Jack O'Brien want to be associated with this?

He's gotta be rick rolling us.

The marquee will be put up, tickets will be sold, the house will be packed, the lights will go down, the curtain will go up and it'll just be a giant screen filling the stage, and it will play "never gonna give you up" for two and a half hours.

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Well its hitting us in the UK 1st so hopefully it will disappear fast here and you wont have to endure it

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I can't believe this is real... NO NO NO NO!!!

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Open minds people, at least keep an open mind for it, otherwise you won't enjoy it even if it's amazing.

Keeping my fingers crossed for ALW and the show.

Let's see how the whole thing works out. If it sucks, I'll be the first one to say so. The least one can do is not to bash beforehand.

As long as this new show does not affect the original Phantom in New York or London then it'll be ok.......but I don't trust ALW enough....I think this new show will damage the original in some way, either by people connecting Phantom with its terrible sequel, or with him (heaven forbid) close Phantom to make room for this show.

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"at least keep an open mind for it"

No. No, thank you.

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One thing that confused me was the mention of Webber's "new" reality casting show "Any Dream Will Do?" Sounds like the writer of the article got a little confused and used some old info.

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See, I'm usually the first person to insist people keep an open mind. I try so hard to live by the life motto "don't knock it until you've tried it". And not even *I* have any hope for this project. Ultimate trainwreck. XP

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