“Love Never Dies,” the sequel to “Phantom of the Opera,” made its Nashville debut on Tuesday night. The show is at TPAC through June 24.
“Love Never Dies” picks up 10 years after the Phantom (Bronson Norris Murphy) disappeared in New York’s Coney Island. The time is 1907 and he’s found another home. There, he’s the man behind Mister Y’s Phantasma, a dark and curious freak show. At Mister Y’s Phantasma, the Phantom has found a place for his music but he still thinks of Christine (Meghan Picerno). Christine’s set to make her American debut in Coney Island and travels from Paris with her husband, Raoul (Sean Thompson), and son, Gustave (Christian Harmston, Jake Heston Miller). The Phantom intervenes before her big performance and Christine must choose between the two men.
This production has big shoes to fill but devoted fans of the original will enjoy the new take. The intricate set design and gorgeous costumes (by Gabriela Tylesova) mesmerize and the music is as inspiring as it is in “Phantom of the Opera.”
“Andrew [Lloyd Webber] has said this is the best music he’s written, and I have to agree,” Picerno tells The Tennessean. “He absolutely transports you with these big, sweeping melodies. The title song still gets me every single night. Standing center stage in that beautiful gown, singing some of the most gorgeous music ever written — it’s just magical. I also love the duets between the Phantom and Christine — they’re so operatic. But even though some of the elements seem larger than life, it’s all very human and relatable. Maybe that’s why audiences are so taken with the journey.”
Watch the trailer for the love story below.
“Love Never Dies” is at TPAC’s Andrew Jackson Hall through June 24. There are some rush tickets available for just $25. Find more information and get your tickets here.
