Meghan Picerno (“Christine Daaé”) stars in Love Never Dies. Photo: Joan Marcus.
by Mark G. Auerbach
Let me preface my review of Love Never Dies, by saying that I am a serious fan of the stage musical The Phantom of The Opera, which I saw when it first came to Broadway. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s score, much of it clever pastiche of opera, is exhilarating. Harold Prince’s staging is dazzling, even without the crashing chandelier.
Love Never Dies, a sequel of sorts to The Phantom of The Opera, takes the characters of the former, fast forwards the action a decade, and moves the action across the Atlantic. The physical production, sets, lighting, costumes, and sound are lush. The staging is a feast for the eyes. The orchestrations take Andrew Lloyd Webber’s serviceable, yet not as strong as the original, score to perfection. And, there are some good performances, especially Meghan Picerno, who plays and sings Christine Daae in diva, as in the opera term, luster. Mary Michael Patterson is a delightful “Meg”, especially in two Coney Island bathing beauty production numbers. The title song is just gorgeous.
Only For You” – Mary Michael Patterson (“Meg Giry”) and the Ensemble of Love Never Dies. Photo: Joan Marcus.
But, anyone who’s a Phantom of The Opera fan can’t help but compare Love Never Dies to Phantom, and the sequel just doesn’t add up. The dramatic tension pales in comparison to the original.
The world of movies and television are inhabited by sequels, prequels, sequels to prequels, and spin-offs. The world of theatre tends to have cycles of plays, or trilogies. But, in musical theatre, sequels are very rare, and mostly unsuccessful. Remember Annie II or Annie Warbucks? Bring Back Birdie, the continuation of Bye, Bye Birdie? The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public ? Since the originals are usually tightly wrapped up to everyone’s satisfaction, the sequels have nowhere to go to surpass them.
Love Never Dies first opened in London’s West End in March 2010, to mediocre reviews, and the musical was revamped and revised. A subsequent Australian production fared better, and now Love Never Dies is touring North America with Broadway aspirations. I’m not sure Broadway audiences will settle for more of the same, instead of something newer and bolder.
Meghan Picerno (“Christine Daaé”) and Gardar Thor Cortes (“The Phantom”) star in Love Never Dies. Photo: Joan Marcus
For me, I’d have preferred a return visit to The Phantom of The Opera, which is still running strong on Broadway.
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The Bushnell presents Love Never Dies Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Lyrics by Glenn later. Book by Ben Elton, based on The Phantom of Manhattan by Frederick Forsyth. Additional lyrics by Charles Hart. Orchestrations by David Cullen and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Scenic and costume design by Gabriela Tylesova. Sound design by MickPotter. Lighting design by Nick Schlieper. Music direction by Dale Rieling. Choreography by Graeme Murphy AO. Directed by Simon Phillips.Through June 3 at The Bushnell, Hartford, CT. 860-987-5900 or www.bushnell.org.
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Mark G. Auerbach studied theatre at American University and the Yale School of Drama. He’s worked for arts organizations and reported on theatre for newspapers and radio. Mark produces and hosts ArtsBeat Radio on 89.5fm/WSKB Radio.
