Phantom Sequel Love Never Dies Sets Dates for London and Broadway Premieres

During a global launch in London on October 8, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber announced premiere dates for Love Never Dies, his long-awaited sequel to The Phantom of the Opera. Starring the previously announced Ramin Karimloo in the title role and Little Mermaid vet Sierra Boggess as Christine, the show will begin performances at London’s Adelphi Theatre on February 20, 2010, and open on March 9. A Broadway debut at an as-yet unnamed theater will follow on November 11, 2010, and the show will open in Australia in 2011, directed by Tony winner Jack O’Brien (Hairspray, The Full Monty, The Coast of Utopia).

Love Never Dies continues the story of the Phantom, who has moved across the Atlantic from his lair in the Paris Opera House to haunt the fairgrounds of Coney Island, where Christine is now living. Set 10 years after his mysterious disappearance from Paris, this show is described as a roller-coaster ride of obsession and intrigue, in which music and memory can play cruel tricks.

The new musical is a collaboration between Lloyd Webber, lyricist Glenn Slater (Sister Act, The Little Mermaid) and playwright Ben Elton, who wrote the book. A recording of the new score was completed in September and will be released on March 10, 2010, the day after the world premiere in London. No word on who joins Karimloo and Boggess on the cast album.

The creative team for Love Never Dies will include Jerry Mitchell (choreography) and Bob Crowley (scenic design).

Karimloo has played both the title role and Raoul in the London production of The Phantom of the Opera as well as Christine’s father in Joel Schumacher’s film version of the musical, making him the only actor to play all four of the heroine’s great loves. His other stage credits include Enjolras in Les Misérables in the West End, Chris in the UK tour of Miss Saigon and Artie Green in the UK tour of Sunset Boulevard.

Boggess made her Broadway debut as Ariel in Disney’s The Little Mermaid after having originated the role of Christine in the Las Vegas production of Phantom. She will make her West End debut in Love Never Dies.

The Phantom of the Opera continues its worldwide success. The London production of the show celebrates its 23rd birthday tomorrow on October 9 and the Broadway production recently passed its record-breaking 3,000th performance.