Interview: Casey Lyons of Andrew Lloyd Webber's LOVE NEVER DIES

At only 13 years old, Lake Forest, IL native Casey Lyons co-stars in the highly anticipated tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera sequel, Love Never Dies. Casey took some time on his day off to answer questions for BroadwayWorld before the tour hits Chicago February 14 through March 4, 2018.

BWW: Your role in Love Never Dies?
Casey: Gustave

BWW: Who travels with you when you're touring the country?
Casey: My dad is touring with me. While I'm performing, he researches the city and its history and finds fun little field trips for us to on. In addition, he's great at making the hotel room our home away from home and cooking amazing meals. He also plays a mean game of sudoku.

BWW: What has surprised you most touring on the road?
Casey: It surprises me how quickly our crew loads in and loads out our giant set with all of its intricacies. This set is one of the most spectacular (and largest) sets I've ever seen.

BWW: Who are you most excited to see you perform here in Chicago?
Casey: I'm most excited to see my grandparents. But honestly, I'm excited for all of my friends and family to come. There's been such an overwhelming amount of love and support from my old friends from Cary, acting camp, and classmates.

BWW: What are you most excited to do when you're back home?
Casey: I am super excited to play with my Labradoodle named Licorice.

BWW: What do you do on your days off?
Casey: On my days off, I explore cities with my dad, go to school and I love to take pictures and write music in my free time.

BWW: What is your favorite moment in the production?
Casey: I love doing (and watching) the lair scene ("Beautiful"/"The Beauty Underneath"). I really think it is a more in depth look at Gustave and the start of his interaction with the Phantom. It has a powerful message : learning to see the "beauty underneath".

BWW: In a word, describe your opening night bow.
Casey: Exhilarating.

BWW: What is it about Andrew Lloyd Webber that surprised you the most?
Casey: I was surprised by how kind he was. When I first met him, I was so flustered, I gave him a hug. He is a genuine, wonderful person and true "angel of music."

BWW: Any words of wisdom he's given you throughout the process?
Casey: He gave encouragement to keep performing and suggested works that are suited to me.

BWW: Aside from Love Never Dies, what's your favorite Webber score?
Casey: I really love the unique sound of Cats, but it's hard to beat Phantom.

BWW: Are you Team Phantom or Team Raoul?
Casey: I'm team Phantom all the way.

---

Casey Lyons (Gustave) is thrilled to play Gustave in Love Never Dies. Previous credits: Michael in Mary Poppins (Mercury Theater Chicago), First Genie in The Magic Flute (Lyric Opera Chicago), Harold Baxter in Hazel: A Musical Maid in America (Drury Lane), Hero Boy in The Polar Express Train Ride Chicago (Union Station), Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol (Drury Lane). Casey would like to thank Roberta Duchak and Scott Calcagno for vocal and acting training, as well as Stewart Talent and his family and friends for their love and support. "Blessed be God in all of his designs." caseylyons.me

Broadway In Chicago and Andrew Lloyd Webber's LOVE NEVER DIES are delighted to announce that individual tickets for the spellbinding sequel to The Phantom of the Opera are now on sale. LOVE NEVER DIES will play Chicago for the very first time in a limited three-week engagement at Broadway In Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre (151 W. Randolph) February 14 through March 4, 2018. For more information, please visit www.loveneverdies.com.