Phantom Sequel to World Premiere in Toronto This Fall

Love Never Dies, the upcoming sequel to the international musical hit The Phantom of the Opera, appears set to premiere at Toronto's Canon Theatre in October, according to Variety. Featuring music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, who co-wrote the book with Ben Elton, and lyrics by Glenn Slater, the show will start rehearsals in London this fall, with direction by Jack O'Brien and choreography by Jerry Mitchell.

At the end of 2008, Lloyd Webber announced his plan of opening Love Never Dies simultaneously on Broadway, in London and even Shanghai—all within the same season. Producers did not confirm or deny this goal, and details on exact cities, dates, theaters and casting have yet to be announced.

A leading contender to play the Phantom in Toronto is Ramin Karimloo, the Iranian-born, Canadian-raised actor currently playing the part in London's West End, according to Variety.

The sequel takes place in Coney Island, where the mysterious Maestro who runs the local theater announces a one-off concert with legendary Parisian soprano Christine Daaé. After Daaé arrives in New York with husband Raoul, Victome de Chagny and son Gustave, their subsequent meeting with the Maestro sends the cataclysmic events that happened at the Paris Opera a decade ago crashing back into their lives.

In addition to O'Brien and Mitchell, the creative team for Love Never Dies features designer Bob Crowley and music supervisor Gareth Valentine.