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Bronson Norris Murphy as the Phantom, and Meghan Picerno as Christine Daaé star in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sequel to "The Phantom of the Opera," "Love Never Dies." Photos by Joan Marcus

'Love Never Dies:'A feast for the eyes & ears

Broadway Austin
Friday, November 23, 2018

Though “Phantom of the Opera” is the longest-running show on Broadway, and its characters – Christine, Raoul and the Phantom – are some of the most beloved and recognizable in the history of the medium, few people know that there's a second chapter to the story with “Love Never Dies.”

In the year 1907, 10 years after the Phantom disappeared from the Paris Opera House, Christine Daaé has become a celebrated soprano in her own right and on her own terms. Meanwhile, in New York City, the Phantom has built a life for himself among the thrill rides and freak shows of Coney Island. There against the backdrop of this dazzling, electrically-charged world, the Phantom has finally found an audience for his music, but even still, he longs for his true love and protégée, Christine.

“Flash forward 10 years into her development and her history,” said Meghan Picerno, the coloratura soprano who plays Christine. “She's a more mature version of herself. She's developed into the international star that the Phantom always wanted her to be.”

Picerno, also a world-class soprano in the opera world, was heralded by the New York Times for “an attractive soprano voice” with “total control of the stage.” It is perhaps her understanding of Christine's strength that gives Picerno the greatest insight into her character.

“She's a working mother in a challenging marriage,” Picerno explained. “She is as strong as she can possibly be within the time. She doesn’t have the tools given by society to be able to challenge these roles, but she does in her own way. She has a lot of strength.”

As the story of “Love Never Dies” unfolds, Christine accepts an invitation to travel from Paris to New York to perform at a renowned opera house. Though fortune has favoured Christine, Raoul has suffered challenges of his own, and they find themselves in desperate need of the financial rewards America can provide.

It is 10 years after his disappearance from the Paris Opera House and the Phantom has escaped to a new life in New York where he lives amongst the screaming joy rides and freak shows of Coney Island.

In a final bid to win Christine's love, the Phantom lures her, Raoul, and their young son, Gustave, from Manhattan to the glittering world of Coney Island, where they have no idea what awaits them.

“Love Never Dies” features songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber, who said that he knew five minutes into seeing its first run-through that he and the new production team had achieved something special.“I have the great joy of being able to say that I think this production is probably the finest one I could ever, ever hope for,” Webber said in a press release for Broadway In Austin.

The musical also features new elaborate set and costume designs by Gabriela Tylesova. In fact, one of the things Picerno most loves about the show is singing the title song in an exquisite peacock gown that morphs to become part of the set itself.

“The song is iconic. It's truly an aria,” Picerno said. “It's a show within a show at that point, and the audience becomes part of the show, so the fourth wall is gone. It's magical because it's such a direct connection. Every night. It's never the same, and it's always glorious.”

Though Picerno has toured throughout the U.S. on this tour of “Love Never Dies,” she admitted that, until right before accepting the role of Christine, she had never seen “Phantom of the Opera.”

“There's a reason it's the longest-running show on Broadway,” Picerno explained. “It's an incredible, timeless, classic story.”

Then, after seeing the Australian production of “Love Never Dies,” she went on to say, “I was immediately struck by how incredibly complex and gorgeous Andrew Lloyd Webber's scores are. They're mysterious, dark and beautiful. It's addictive, especially coming from the classical world.”

But what about those audience members who have never seen “Phantom of the Opera”? Is there a concern that they will be lost in the new world of "Love Never Dies”?

“Yes, it's a sequel,” Picerno said. “But it's also a stand-alone piece. For people who have never seen it, it's a love story, a romance. The music, the costumes, the sets, which are warped and gorgeous. Gabriella (the set designer) paints a world that's a feast for the eyes.”

In a final bid to win Christine’s love, the Phantom lures her, Raoul and their young son Gustave to the glittering and glorious world of Coney Island.

Picerno spoke then about the musical's deeper message, which is illuminated by the song “The Beauty Underneath.”

“Theater, art, music,” Picerno said. “These are things that make us human. Some people come to the theater as a way of living and becoming human again. What I love about our show is that it preaches a message of love. Lots of different kinds of love.” Then she added, “The Phantom has a tragic past. He's a person that is socially unacceptable to love, and yet, he sees the beauty underneath.”

Austin hosts the final dates of “Love Never Dies,” bringing the North American tour to a close. The musical will run Nov. 27 – Dec. 2 at the Bass Concert Hall, Tuesday through Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday at 1 and 7 p.m. Tickets start at $30 and are available at the Broadway in Austin's website, the Texas Performing Arts; website, the Bass Concert Hall ticket office, all Texas Box Office Outlets and by phone at 512-477-6060.

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