RIALTO CHATTER: Prince Passes on LOVE NEVER DIES for Broadway?

Michael Riedel reports in the New York Post today that 'Love Never Dies' may be getting a new leader before it makes the leap to Broadway - 'Phantom of the Opera' helmer Hal Prince, to be precise.  According to the report, Prince recently had lunch with Andrew Lloyd Webber in London during which Webber asked Prince to take the reins on the project for Broadway.

Riedel writes: "Prince was in London last month directing a new show, 'Paradise Found,' at the Menier Chocolate Factory. He took time out to see 'Love Never Dies.' Lloyd Webber took him to lunch and, sure enough, asked him to come on board, production sources say.

Reportedly, Prince declined the offer in order to focus on improving 'Paradise Found.'  Despite recent revelations from Jerry Mitchell about his committment to the piece, Riedel goes on to assert that both he and 'Love Never Dies' current director Jack O'Brien are ready to move on from the experience.  He writes: '"Jack and Jerry are sick of it," says a source. "They've been going back and forth to London working on it, but nothing seems to please Andrew. They're fed up. The problem is the book, and they didn't write the book.' O'Brien and Mitchell have moved on to their next show, 'Catch Me If You Can,' which is due on Broadway in the spring. Ironically, it may end up at the Neil Simon Theatre, which was being held for 'Love Never Dies' before its "indefinite" postponement."

To read the full report in the New York Post, click here.

The World Premiere of 'Love Never Dies' took place in London on 9 March 2010 at the Adelphi Theatre. The show will reportedly next open in New York in the Spring of 2011

Performances are at the Adelphi Theatre will be Mondays - Saturdays at 7.30pm, with Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm. Tickets, priced from £25.00 - £67.50 (to include 75p theatre restoration levy and inclusive of booking fees), are available from the Adelphi Theatre Box Office on 0844 412 4651 or online from www.loveneverdies.com.

 

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.

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