BWW Recaps: LOVE NEVER DIES on the Big Screen

Across the United States, many movie theaters showed the latest recorded production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's LOVE NEVER DIES. Set up as a sequel to Webber's PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, this show picks up ten years later in Coney Island, New York and features the Phantom and Christine, as well as her now husband Raoul and ten-year-old son Gustave.

Attending a show like this in a movie theater was a different kind of experience since it was evident that all the attendees were fans of live theater, most especially the original PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. Despite being on screen, it was a true theatrical experience. The creators did an excellent job of seizing the sensation of live theater while using technology to make it effective for big and small scenes. Brett Sullivan and his motion and sound company, Steam, were hired to serve as film directors, and they made this production feel tangible and enthralling. Simon Phillips' creative ability in setting the scenes lent itself to the live theater feeling in the movie theater. The scenery was expertly designed as well by Gabriela Tylesova which added to the experience from a movie theater perspective.

The Phantom, played by Ben Lewis, was an excellent fit for this role. He played to the cameras well, and his voice has little comparison. His acting was so superb that I, for one, began to understand the Phantom on a deeper level than I did in the original PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.  Christine was played by Anna O'Bryne and her training in opera was evident in the show. She sang as you would expect the character of Christine Daaé to sing; like a songbird.

Simon Gleeson who played Raoul shined in this role. He played the strength and weakness of the character with equal talent. His voice carried well and his ability to play to the cameras helped to draw us in even more. Young Jack Lyall played the part of ten-year-old Gustave. His voice is simply astonishing, so much so that you almost felt as if the performance was live.

The music of Andrew Lloyd Webber and the lyrics of Glenn Slater weave this love story together so masterfully that it keeps the audience entranced.  "Beautiful" was a particularly stand out song, which was reprised in different portions of the show. The haunting melody was reminiscent of the original PHANTOM OF THE OPERA production. Webber seemed to fail with "Beauty Underneath" as he chose a strong rock sound that seemed out of place for the moment and not quite in sync with the rest of the score.

Overall, the story is well worth the time and the talent involved will take you away as you enjoy LOVE NEVER DIES in a movie theater. If you are a big fan of PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, you will appreciate how the characters have evolved. There will be one more screening of this show on March 7^th so if you have a chance, go see it. Just remember to bring tissues.