Does “Love Never Dies” have a chance?

[SpookyFish13]

Posted: 7/16/19 at 1:59pm

I know there have been rumblings for a WHILE now about Love Never Dies making its Broadway debut. Since the US tour did fairly well, and with the huge amount of vacant theatres in the near future, it would seem like now is the time to strike.

What does everyone think? Am I wrong for holding out for this to finally hit Broadway? Would anyone else like to see this happen?

[BritCrit]

Posted: 7/16/19 at 2:02pm

With ALW focusing on his new version of Cinderella and the anniversary celebrations for his big hits, I don't think this is likely...

[Ado Annie D'Ysquith]

Posted: 7/16/19 at 2:02pm

I know it has its fans, but I ain't one of them. To me, the plot is so ludicrous that it actually tarnishes the original Phantom experience for me. I really hate to say that about a show, but this is almost on the level of PUFFS and SILENCE THE MUSICAL as a parody operation.

Logistically, I can't see how it would do well on Broadway because it's still big, production-wise, and would have a hard time recouping...especially if one compares it to the longest-running Broadway production of all time.

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 7/16/19 at 2:03pm

Tbh I wouldn't expect this anytime soon. And with it not being anytime soon, I don't think it will happen sadly. He's got Cinderella next year now as well. 

[SpookyFish13]

Posted: 7/16/19 at 2:12pm

Without getting into spoiler territory, I completely understand why die-hards of Phantom would dislike LND. But you have to admit that the sinister-carnival vibes of the score are something very different from what we have on Broadway now. And I could really picture tourists making a full weekend out of it: Phantom on Friday night, LND Saturday night and a trip to Coney Island on Sunday afternoon! I know I would make a trip over just for that!

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 7/16/19 at 2:21pm

Bring it in for a limited run/season. Use the tour set and expand on it. Maybe even do a promo/deal with POTO (buy a ticket to one, get a discount on the other).

The quality of the show is debatable, but I don’t think it would be a complete flop on Broadway. Might not recoup, but it wouldn’t be disastrous.

Personally - I dig the concept of the show, the overall plot is interesting, but 80% of the score is just really weak.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 7/16/19 at 2:26pm

Does anyone know how well the tour actually did? Did it recoup?

[Lot666]

Posted: 7/16/19 at 2:30pm

GiantsInTheSky2 said: "Bring it in for a limited run/season. Use the tour set and expand on it. Maybe even do a promo/deal with POTO (buy a ticket to one, get a discount on the other)."

I saw the London production three times and the U.S. touring production three times. I would love to have this as a double bill on Broadway, even if only for a limited run.

Updated On: 7/17/19 at 02:30 PM

[DoTheDood]

Posted: 7/16/19 at 4:26pm

Speaking of double billing, had that ever happened before? Have a show be running along side it's sequel on Broadway at the same time? Not like musicals usually get sequels, but still? 

[copskid949]

Posted: 7/16/19 at 4:40pm

DoTheDood said: "Speaking of double billing, had that ever happened before? Have a show be running along side it's sequel on Broadway at the same time? Not like musicals usually getsequels, but still?"

Pretty sure the closest instance of this was opening Let ‘Em Eat Cake only a few months after the first revival of Of Thee I Sing finished its run. Aside from that, Falsettos is technically a sequel running alongside its predecessor. I don’t think there’s ever been a sequel directly competing with its source material in different buildings, however.

[DoTheDood]

Posted: 7/16/19 at 4:50pm

copskid949 said: "Aside from that, Falsettos is technically a sequel running alongside its predecessor."

I was thinking about that, but I wouldn't count that because it wasn't March of the Falsettos playing and then Falsettoland played, it was one after another (Also not counting In Trousers). Of Thee I Sing/Let 'Em Eat Cake is closer imo. Maybe something off-Broadway, but that would be harder to track than Broadway, so that's probably the closest.

[David10086]

Posted: 7/16/19 at 8:36pm

I didn't know ALW was working on 'Cinderella' next. Is this for a London opening or a Broadway opening? (And will Patti Lupone play the evil stepmother ? LOL )

 

I really lost track over the years with the productions he was / wasn't working on. Whatever happened to 'Wizard of OZ' - wasn't that one of his projects a few years ago ? 

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 7/16/19 at 9:10pm

David10086 said: "I didn't know ALW was working on 'Cinderella' next. Is this for a London opening or a Broadway opening? (And will Patti Lupone play the evil stepmother ? LOL )



I really lost track over the years with the productions he was / wasn't working on. Whatever happened to 'Wizard of OZ' - wasn't that one of his projects a few years ago ?"

ALW’s The Wizard of Oz toured the US a few years ago. I didn’t see it, but heard less-than-stellar things about it.

[Elfuhbuh]

Posted: 7/16/19 at 11:07pm

I'm venturing to say that ALW has probably given up on this ever making it to Broadway by now. I think the tour sold fine, but it wasn't a smashing success, and from what I understand, the tour was meant to be a sort of "trial run" to see if the show could ever do well on Broadway. I'll be shocked if they ever announce it.

[haterobics]

Posted: 7/16/19 at 11:38pm

SpookyFish13 said: "with the huge amount of vacant theatres in the near future, it would seem like now is the time to strike."

Just because we don't know what is going into each theater doesn't mean they don't have occupants.

Also, would it really be that much of a struggle for ALW to get a Phantom sequel somewhere, were that the goal?

[showbizkid2]

Posted: 7/17/19 at 4:12am

I think the score is GORGEOUS. ALW himself says it features two of his best tunes. I hope the Oz production comes to Broadway soon

[coraxine]

Posted: 7/17/19 at 7:25am

I loved the tour personally, and would love for it to make it to Broadway, but I couldn't envision it being successful for very long. It works best as a standalone piece. It's not on the list of upcoming shows for the 19/20 season, but it could very well make 20/21. I doubt it will,  but I would be there opening night if it ever does open on the great white way.

[Lot666]

Posted: 7/17/19 at 8:16am

coraxine said: "I would be there opening night if it ever does open on the great white way."

Me too!