I'm trying my hardest to NOT feel badly about this announcement. I'm still trying to be optimistic... I know some people have said that "Love Never Dies" is shaping up to be great, and I'm hoping they're right.
In my pants, she has burst like the music of angels, the light of the sun! --Marius Pantsmercy
Even if it is mediocre it will run for several years, as the interest will be high in seeing the sequel. Millions have seen Phantom worldwide. It could probably sell out a year before it even opens.
"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal
"I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello
Does anyone know if the score is going to be as intense to sing for Christine in LOVE NEVER DIES as it was in PHANTOM? If so is there going to be two people playing the role?
Ramin is devine. Great performer and a great Phantom.
Seems to have effortlessly gone through the male leads in all Cameron Mac's big production. From Enjolras to Chris and from Raoul to Phantom.
The rest of the cast sound interesting for the concept album, will be looking out to see if they do the London cast too. I cannot see John Barrowman continuing as Raoul due to his TV commitments.
I can't get those links to open at all, although I had seen the article before anyway.
But with regard to those who still desperately want to be pessimistic (Smerg-the-impaler), how on Earth did you read that article and still see something that you interprted as terribly negative? The guy couldn't be more enthusiastic. Whether you want to go and see it is up to you, but it is daft to imagine negativity where it really doesn't exist at all.
Of course there is the issue that Baz Bamigboye is being given access and is being fed things deliberately. But I don't think he would be being fed what to say in terms of his opinion. And he is the only person who has actually heard the score to have commented at all. I think it is hugely significant that he says that he would be mightily surprised if it isn't both a huge artistic and commercial success. He didn't need to say that, and he is pretty much on the ball usually and isn't scared to call it real when appropriate either.
But with regard to those who still desperately want to be pessimistic (Smerg-the-impaler), how on Earth did you read that article and still see something that you interprted as terribly negative?
I'm just scared it will be horrific based on what I've heard about the plot. Flawed though it is, I love The Phantom of the Opera, and I don't want this to ruin my enjoyment of it. I loved The Series of Unfortunate Events-- I read them quasi-religiously-- and then the last two books were so bad that I was never able to read one of those books again. They spoiled my love of the series. Now I'm very wary of sequels... like Little Mermaid 2.
In my pants, she has burst like the music of angels, the light of the sun! --Marius Pantsmercy
Benny, that pic is priceless. Where does Hugh Panaro fit in? Are they creating a femoperabot? Why not a girl in a suit? Can't wait to see the Ooh La La girls. Mitchell should have a field day with that. This gets more and more intriquing. "How does it end?" We shall see, we shall see. "Not a dry eye in the house"
As the diehard Phantom fan that I have been all these years, I am sooooooo not looking forward to this. In the grand tradition of sequels almost always sucking (except for the Indiana Jones movies, the Star Wars and Alien franchises) I just don't see this working at all. I am a poster at other Phantom message boards, as well as Sarah Brightman, MC and a few others. Everyone is keeping their chins up, but no one expects this to be a smash. More like a footnote to the original production.
I too have heard reports on the plot and all I can do is shake my head.
I understand more where Smerg-the-impaler is coming from, in terms of the expressed trepidation re the potential effect on personal perception of the original, but the blanket negativity re it's prospects of the sillies inhabiting fan boards is just dumb! And it is flying in the face of the rising general expectation of it elsewhere as well.
Out of curiosity I did go to see what was being said a while back on "phan" boards (a fairly long while admittedly) and to someone who is not inclined to be over wrought and fanatical, it was all a bit frighteningly silly. So I am not at all surprised that there has been official word that "phans" will not like the new show. But in truth, it would be totally inappropriate to pander to what is, in effect, the lunatic fringe. Whether those involved like it or not, or are prepared to accept anything that isn't their preference or not (and I am including actively wishing the show to fail, and anyone involved with it to die), the prospects of the new show are not actually going to be too terribly hurt by their disdain.
As things stand, the "phans" not expecting it to be a "smash" really doesn't carry a lot of weight as far as opinions go, whatever they might like to think. And to those living in the real world, it is surely already clear that this really isn't likely to be a crash and burn show. The concern should probably better be along the lines of more, potentially, being expected of it that it could possibly deliver. Whatever, it is going to get a pretty good run on curiosity alone whether good, bad or indifferent. And if the score really is as good as intimated (and in the end, that is what it is going to hang on), then I am leaning to think it could be much bigger than anyone really even considered when first proposed.
Of course it will do ok- there is a built-in curiosity factor for many people who saw the original. The questions really are:
a) will it gain critical acceptance (the original had mixed reviews)? b) will it be perceived as under-achieving, even if it runs 10 years, and therefore a failure?
This whole project sounds like a train-wreck waiting to happen to me. Come on, Andrew, you've had your day in the sun, you've made zillions of dollars, and your last shows have been duds. It's time to retire gracefully.
I just don't like the fact -- well, there are a lot of things about this I don't like, but I REALLY don't like the fact that it in effect revises/messes with the story from the original show.