Love Never Dies Broadway 2019??- Page 2

[adamgreer]

Posted: 4/17/18 at 1:06pm

Cameron Mackintosh and ALW would have to be colossally stupid to close the original Phantom on Broadway. They may be many things, but stupid surely isn't one of them. Phantom continues to turn a nice profit, there's absolutely no reason for it to close up shop.

I like Phantom for what it is- it's an enjoyable enough melodrama (and I don't use the term disparagingly here) with a gorgeous physical production.  However, I did not at all enjoy Love Never Dies, save for a great cast that gave it their all to try to make it work and another lovely physical production.  Unfortunately, the problems with the book  are just insurmountable. If it does open on Broadway, Brantley will have a field day with it.

[bwayrose7]

Posted: 4/17/18 at 1:08pm

Lot666 said: "bwayrose7 said: "can't we just leave the legend be?"

This is asilly and tiresome comment, and it's a retread of the argument put forth bysome incredibly silly people when LND opened in London. The existence of LND does not change its predecessor;no one is messing with "the legend" (other than Cameron Mackintosh, and that has nothing to do with LND). If you don't like LND, don't buy a ticket."

Then I'll rephrase. Regardless of the legendary status of POTO, LND is a desperate mess of a show and has no business being on Broadway; if not for its connection to Phantom, this kind of ridiculous, half-baked melodrama would not see the light of day. Frankly, I think Phantom is a very thin melodrama as well, but has the benefit of decent source material, a memorable and sometimes spectacular score (the eight-part counterpoint in "Notes" remains one of my favorite musical moments in theatre) and beautiful production values that elevate it.

For that matter, "silly" and "tiresome" are the very adjectives I would use to describe LND. But that is my personal opinion, and if you have a different one, more power to you. If LND does end up on Broadway, I hope some people find joy and entertainment in it.

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Posted: 4/17/18 at 1:20pm

I think a US national tour is MORE than enough, but if SCHOOL OF ROCK closed after summer I could see it come in for a limited run of a few months.

Next season looks a little...odd...for new musicals. MOULIN ROUGE and HADESTOWN have yet to announce official productions or theatre, and the rest of the lot (PRETTY WOMAN, THE PROM, GETTING THE BAND BACK TOGETHER) are kind of odd. The only official show I'm interested in is THE CHER SHOW, and even that is adding to a new overkill of jukebox musicals..

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/17/18 at 1:43pm

Regardless of the legendary status of POTO, LND is a desperate mess of a show and has no business being on Broadway

Any show that can get the funding has "business being on Broadway".  That's precisely how the business works.  Ticket sales dictate whether it succeeds or not, despite whether anyone considers it a mess, critics or otherwise.  LND wouldn't be the first mess on Broadway nor will it be the last.  Based on the audience reaction from the Chicago tour stop, there is definitely an enthusiastic audience for the show.  The theatre was packed and the crowd went wild for it.

[MCfan2]

Posted: 4/17/18 at 4:04pm

Brave Sir Robin2 said: "Next season looks a little...odd...for new musicals. MOULIN ROUGE and HADESTOWN have yet to announce official productions or theatre, and the rest of the lot (PRETTY WOMAN, THE PROM, GETTING THE BAND BACKTOGETHER) are kind of odd. The only official show I'm interested in is THE CHER SHOW, and even that is adding to a new overkill of jukebox musicals.."

Forgive the tangent, but we're really having a run of shows with "Band" in the title. Bandstand, The Band's Visit, The Boys in the Band, Getting the Band Back Together . . .

 

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 4/17/18 at 8:49pm

Any idea if it did come to broadway if they would get Ramin and Sierra to perform or would they just get the tour cast. (I mean only in my dreams would Crawford and brightman star)

[labellaragazza1]

Posted: 4/17/18 at 11:32pm

Theatrefanboy1 said: "Any idea if it did come to broadway if they would get Ramin and Sierra to perform or would they just get the tour cast. (I mean only in my dreams would Crawford and brightman star) "

I believe Ramin has said he’s done with the role. If it does come, I’d hope they get someone else. I’m sick of the rabid Rierra fanaticism. 

[Lot666]

Posted: 4/18/18 at 8:25am

labellaragazza1 said: "Theatrefanboy1 said: "Any idea if it did come to broadway if they would get Ramin and Sierra to perform or would they just get the tour cast. (I mean only in my dreams would Crawford and brightman star) "

I believe Ramin has said he’s done with the role. If it does come, I’d hope they get someone else. I’m sick of the rabid Rierra fanaticism."

I completely agree about the "Rierra" nonsense. It's so high school.

It is extremely unlikely that Mr. Karimloo would return to this role. There is a better chance of Ms. Boggess agreeing to a limited engagement, but I don't really see that happening either (unless ALW himself asks, as a personal favor).

If the show comes to Broadway, I expect it will be with most, if not all, of the touring company.

[Babe_Williams]

Posted: 4/18/18 at 11:48am

labellaragazza1 said: "Theatrefanboy1 said: "Any idea if it did come to broadway if they would get Ramin and Sierra to perform or would they just get the tour cast. (I mean only in my dreams would Crawford and brightman star) "

I believe Ramin has said he’s done with the role. If it does come, I’d hope they get someone else. I’m sick of the rabid Rierra fanaticism."

Agreed. I think that Ramin is highly overrated anyway. The portions of the LND recording i have heard with Ben Lewis are far more impressive than the one with Ramin IMO.

[Justin D]

Posted: 4/18/18 at 1:07pm

it would fit nice in the Winter Garden though, with its wide set they can put back in the side towers that were cut for the tour and extend it out into the house a bit more. But I dont want School of Rock to close to be honest.

casting, please no Ramin/Sierra (although I would prefer Sierra over Ramin. Side note, the current London U/S who was on over the easter weekend is a dead ringer vocally for Ramin. Id be more interested in some long running veterans from the Broadway version like Hugh or Howard with Sandra Joseph or some other long running Christine

[Elfuhbuh]

Posted: 4/18/18 at 2:21pm

Hugh Panaro and Sandra Joseph would be a fun choice for the leads! I don’t know if either of them would do it, though.

[chernjam]

Posted: 4/18/18 at 9:45pm

Was excited to see this article in Variety as it has much more credibility (with some interesting facts that I've not heard before, specifically how well it's doing on the road - outselling 8 other shows)  This has to be some vindication to ALW.  

Whether you like LND or not - this one is a bit more personal for ALW.  Unlike the original, it was a bit more of an original idea for a show - that came from his discussion with Maria Bjorsen who designed the original Phantom.  That, plus with the auto-biographical aspects of Phantom and the fact that Phantom was in ALW mind a pinnacle of his life - LND is him, creatively trying to almost come full circle with it.  
I have some problems with LND - the original album I listened to and kind of enjoyed (nowhere feel immediately in love with it as I did Sunset Blvd where as soon as I finished listening to the entire score the first time I had to listen to it again).  But when I saw the film of Australia's production, I did get swept up into the score and engaged with the story that it was highly enjoyable.  And the music definitely stayed with me (Look with your heart is now running through my head as I type this)  So I'm happy that in the 8 years since its London premiere, that something that is so deeply personal to ALW is finding new found appreciation and a more receptive audience.

When it arrives on Broadway, I'll certainly be there.

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 4/18/18 at 10:46pm

See I’m impartial to whether Ramin and sierra head it. I just kind of like the idea of two former players returning to the sequel to “headline it”. And I mean maybe float the box office for a bit as well. I have been waiting since the official announcement back in October 2009 for it. I just hope it does come to broadway.

[chernjam]

Posted: 4/18/18 at 11:02pm

Theatrefanboy1 said: "See I’m impartial to whether Ramin and sierra head it. I just kind of like the idea of two former players returning to the sequel to “headline it”. And I mean maybe float the box office for a bit as well. I have been waiting since the official announcement back in October 2009 for it. I just hope it does come to broadway."

Totally agree with you.  Especially if this is a limited run on broadway, would be cool to see the two originals originate it on Broadway - as had been the original plan

[Elfuhbuh]

Posted: 4/18/18 at 11:18pm

See, my reflex reaction is to cringe at the "Rierra" hype, but when you think about it, that phenomenon's been dying down quite a bit since the two haven't done any shows together since LND/Phantom. Part of me feels like their rabid fanbase has grown up since the 25th anniversary concert and wouldn't be so annoying about it anymore if the two were cast in this production. (Not that I think it's very likely in Ramin's case, since he's been much more adamant about not returning to the role than Sierra has.)

[Lot666]

Posted: 4/19/18 at 1:47pm

While I very much like Mr. Karimloo as a singer and an actor (and a person), I didn't find him as satisfying in the Phantom role as I expected to. His voice is fantastic, but (and I've made this point in other threads here) he's so ridiculously handsome that I am unable to suspend disbelief to the extent that I can perceive him as a "repulsive carcass" - even with the makeup and mask. It didn't help that when I saw him in London in both LND and Phantom 25 at the Albert Hall, he was also too obviously young for the character.

Ms. Boggess, on the other hand, is probably the best Christine I've ever experienced (and I've experienced MANY). She has the right look and demeanor, and she has a near-peerless soprano IMHO. Unfortunately, at this point she has pretty much aged out of the part in the original Phantom, but she is also now about the perfect age for the character in LND. I'd be delighted to have her return for a Broadway run opposite someone like Anthony Warlow, John Owen Jones, or Hugh Panaro.

[Bwayornoway]

Posted: 4/19/18 at 2:47pm

After seeing both the filmed Australian version as well as the current US tour - the show seems to be carrying a bit of a self induced curse.  There are some really very beautiful songs and memorable melodies in LND but is surrounded by gibberish and nonflowing transitions.  There are many times I couldn't understand what was being sung, which then made it hard to get any details to the all ready thin plot.  This is not to say the cast is at fault for they are extremely talented and more then try and make the material work.  

The opening is a turn off with a somewhat harsh to the ear song that really doesn't interest you nor does the visual really invite you into this new world.  Another issue I had was with the actual Phantom - We all loved the mystery behind him in Phantom because you never knew where he was or what he was really doing.  Was he good/evil - do you want him banished?  Do you feel sorry for him ?  But with LND he has been humanized to much and right in front of you, behaving like a 40 year old in a mid life crisis.  That's one of the best story telling elements of Phantom is that, it leaves you with wanting more of him and in LND you want less of him.  There is no 'phantom' mystery anymore.  

with the very mixed review curse train running behind this show, not sure it will survive broadway.  I truly believe there is a great story to be told here but needs someone to check there ego and rework it.  Just my opinions!

[mozgrrl]

Posted: 4/19/18 at 3:29pm

Lot666 said: "While I very much likeMr. Karimlooas a singer and an actor (and a person), I didn't find him as satisfying in the Phantom role as I expected to. His voice is fantastic, but (and I've made this point in other threads here) he's so ridiculously handsome that I am unable to suspend disbelief to the extent that I can perceive him as a "repulsive carcass" - even with the makeup and mask. It didn't help that when I saw him in London in both LND andPhantom 25at the Albert Hall, he was also too obviously young for the character.

Ms. Boggess, on the other hand, is probably the best Christine I've ever experienced (and I've experienced MANY). She has the right look and demeanor, and she has a near-peerless soprano IMHO. Unfortunately, at this point she haspretty much aged out of the part in the original Phantom, but she is also now about the perfect age for the character in LND. I'd be delighted to have her return for a Broadway run opposite someone like Anthony Warlow, John Owen Jones, or Hugh Panaro."

Sierra and Hugh (or Anthony) would be an awesome Bway LNDs couple, but my gut is saying ALW is going brand new with the 2 main characters. I also don't think he will use Bronson or Gardar either. Bronson is really an amazing Phantom (he should go for the original role at some point), but I feel like he's too young for the LND's Phantom. Haven't seen Gadar. I thought Anna O'Bryne was so regal  and a perfect LND's Christine. It's fun to speculate who it could be!!

[Justin D]

Posted: 4/19/18 at 4:25pm

Bwayornoway said: "After seeing both the filmed Australian version as well as the current US tour - the show seems to be carrying a bit of a self induced curse. There are some really very beautiful songs and memorable melodies in LND but is surrounded by gibberish and nonflowing transitions. There are many times I couldn't understand what was being sung, which then made it hard to get any details to the all ready thin plot. This is not to say the cast is at fault for they are extremely talented and more then try and make the material work.

The opening is a turn off with a somewhat harsh to the ear song that really doesn't interest you nor does the visual really invite you into this new world. Another issue I had was with the actual Phantom - We all loved the mystery behind him in Phantom because you never knew where he was or what he was really doing. Was he good/evil - do you want him banished? Do you feel sorry for him ? But with LND he has been humanized to much and right in front of you, behaving like a 40 year old in a mid life crisis. That's one of the best story telling elements of Phantom is that, it leaves you with wanting more of him and in LND you want less of him. There is no 'phantom' mystery anymore.

with the very mixed review curse train running behind this show, not sure it will survive broadway. I truly believe there is a great story to be told here but needs someone to check there ego and rework it. Just my opinions!"

I agree with a lot of this, for me, aside from the unfixable plot holes, my other issue is the start of the show, they cant seem to figure that one out. I always thought if they dont want to change the structure, just find out what music to use to start it with....then just start it where the other one left off with the MOTN bit (instrumentally)