LOVE Really NEVER DIES

Andrew Lloyd Webber said in a recent interview that the Australian production of LOVE NEVER DIES will tour the UK starting in Fall 2013.

The Australian production was significantly more successful than the London production, and I am glad to see that is the production that will continue its life.

This is exciting because I have been a fan of this show (I know, I'm one of the few) since its inception and am glad to see it still has a life. I will not give up hope to see a live production here in the U.S. I will be certain to keep updating this blog with all LND news!

Nintendo to Release ALW Video Game?!?!

Nintendo has announced that it will release a new video game for the Wii called ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER MUSICALS: SING & DANCE on September 14th.

The game will feature Elaine Paige, Michael Crawford, Sarah Brightman, and others while players sing and dance their way through some of ALW's biggest hits.

Not quite sure how I feel about this one, but it definitely will be something different and I would definitely be interested in trying it out. Anyone planning on buying it??

EVITA New Cast Recording in the Works?

For anyone who follows me on Twitter, you would have seen this last night. It seems that there is a new cast recording in the works for the new revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's EVITA starring Elena Roger, Ricky Martin and Michael Cerveris.

It seems that it will be released through Sony Masterworks on June 5th. Obviously this is all speculation until a true press release is issued. Here is the listing on Amazon.

This is interesting but not unexpected. This revival has been panned so I don't know how excited I am for this...

LOVE NEVER DIES Review

So I saw Andrew Lloyd Webber's LOVE NEVER DIES at the movies tonight. The production, which was filmed live in Melbourne stars Ben Lewis as the Phantom and Anna O'Byrne as Christine.

LOVE NEVER DIES, which is the sequel to Webber's hit THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, follows Christine and Raoul as they come to Coney Island to perform for the Phantom.

[SPOILERS AHEAD]

Overall, I was very impressed with the production. The actors and orchestra beautifully executed Webber's score and the scenic, lighting and costume designs were outstanding. They were all over the top, comedic, and dramatic at the same time, complementing the story and score.

I think Anna O'Byrne was impeccable as the soprano Christine Daae. She sounded beautiful and truly showed Christine's struggle throughout the show between her heart and her mind.

The other standout for me was the boy who played Christine's son Gustave. He was so emotional and sounded beautiful and made you really care for him as a character.

Ben Lewis was good as the Phantom, but he vocally can't beat Ramin Karimloo for me. I think he was mysterious and strong, but not the vocal presence at all times that I think the Phantom should be.

I personally had a problem with Raoul in this production. I think he didn't show his pain enough and wasn't as emotive as I would have hoped. Specifically in "Why Does She Love Me," you couldn't even tell he had been drinking all night. I'm not sure Raoul was portrayed as well as he could have been.

I was impressed with both of the Girys. The actress who played Meg, Sharon Millerchip, was extremely good and really showed the pain Meg feels throughout the musical, but didn't fit my vision of what I think Meg is. Maria Mercedes who played Madame Giry was amazing in all the ways that character should be: strict, strong, and emotional. And her killer voice didn't hurt.

Overall, I enjoyed it a lot and can see how the production has received the response it has in Australia. While I love a lot of the music (Till I Hear You Sing is my favorite Webber song of all time), I think the score was overly repetitive and I think some of the filming did not help show the grandeur that this production seemingly had. I think the story changes since the concept recording and original production are worthwhile and definitely add a new layer to the story. I recommend seeing it and am interested to see what this film does for the show's future in the U.S.

Andrew Lloyd Webber Begins Work On New Musical

Andrew Lloyd Webber, composer of PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, EVITA, and more, has begun working on a new musical. Webber, who has said in interviews he only writes about things he is passionate about is investigating a musical based on the Profumo affair in the U.K.

I don't know anything about the Profumo affair so don't know how well it will serve as a musical, and it's obviously in the very early stages, but I am interested in seeing if we see a new ALW musical soon. Plus, I always love a new ORIGINAL musical. They are so few and far between.

LOVE NEVER DIES Theatrical Trailer

Here's the theatrical trailer for the two-night only screening of Andrew Lloyd Webber's LOVE NEVER DIES. I'm really excited to see it and think it looks great!!

LOVE NEVER DIES Is Coming to U.S. Theatres

Andrew Lloyd Webber's sequel to THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, LOVE NEVER DIES is coming to U.S. movie theaters on Feb. 28th and March 7th. The Australian production was recently filmed, and this will be the version shown in theatres.

The Australian version is completely revised, has a new creative team, and has opened to much stronger reviews than the ill-fated London production.

I personally love some of the music from LND and am really excited to see it. Tickets can be purchased from Fathom Events.