by Kathy Carberry
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Ben Lewis stars as the Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Love Never Dies, available now on Blu-ray
I must admit that when I first heard that Andrew Lloyd Webber was planning to continue the story of the Phantom of the Opera, I was skeptical. There is no way he could equal let alone top the greatest musical of all time. When the original cast recording of Love Never Dies became available, morbid curiosity took over. I bought a copy, but waited a few days before actually listening to it. The first time I heard it, my mind was closed because I was such a fan of the original Phantom of the Opera. I saw the stage version in 1999 and the film version a few years later. The stage version was far superior. I wasn’t impressed with Mr. Webber’s latest attempt at the Phantom’s story at first.
Love Never Dies as a story is relatively interesting. What about the music? Well, like I said I thought it fell short. Still, it’s Andrew Lloyd Webber so it deserves another chance and it fared better the second time. The tunes began to swirl in my head, and I remember thinking…’He’s done it again.’ The melodies are beautiful and the singing incredible. The story blends perfectly with the music and is compelling, fun and heartbreaking all at the same time.
Love Never Dies can be recommended because the Phantom can still intrigue and thrill. This Blu-ray continues to tell the story and brings back some of the magic of Mr. Webber’s original.
The ultimate love story continues in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s spectacular musical Love Never Dies, a sequel to the legendary “Phantom of the Opera.” From musical theater’s most captivating composer and featuring the new highly-acclaimed Australian production filmed in Melbourne, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Love Never Dies arrives on Blu-ray with perfect hi-def picture and perfect hi-def sound and DVD on May 29, 2012. With lush visuals and a mesmerizing score that rivals the original in power and beauty, this live production of Love Never Dies is a romantic necessity for every Broadway fan’s collection.
The year is 1907 and ten years have passed since the Phantom’s disappearance from the Paris Opera House. He has escaped to a new life in New York where he lives amongst the screaming joy rides and freak-shows of Coney Island. In this new electrically-charged world, he has finally found a place for his music to soar. All that is missing is his love – Christine Daaé. Now one of the world’s finest sopranos, Christine is struggling in an ailing marriage to Raoul. So, it is with excitement she accepts an invitation to travel to New York and perform at a renowned opera house. In a final bid to win back her love, the Phantom lures Christine, her husband, and their young son Gustave from Manhattan, to the glittering and glorious world of Coney Island… not knowing what is in store for them.
BLU-RAY and DVD BONUS FEATURES:
· “Making Of” Featurette: Take a look behind the scenes at Andrew Lloyd Webber’s breathtaking sequel
CAST AND FILMMAKERS
Cast: Ben Lewis, Anna O’Byrne, Maria Mercedes, Simon Gleeson, Sharon Millerchip, Emma J Hawkins, Paul Tabone, Dean Vince
Composer: Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics & Book: Glenn Slater
Book: Ben Elton, Frederick Forsyth
Additional Lyrics: Charles Hart
Director: Simon Phillips
Choreographer: Graeme Murphy AM
Set & Costume Designer: Gabriela Tylesova
Lighting Designer: Nick Schlieper
Musical Supervisor: Guy Simpson
Official Love Never Dies Website
