Love Never Dies

It's been ten years since the Paris Opera house had some of its most memorable events. Backdrops falling, crashing chandeliers, and a mysterious man in a mask who composes music is looking for the diva who could make magic of the notes he writes. This diva, and her husband, eventually make their way to America. In Coney Island at the turn of the last century, the music of the night will once again haunt Christine.

"Love Never Dies" is Andrew Lloyd Webber's ambitious sequel to one of his most famous works. Taking the four main characters from "Phantom of the Opera" he weaves a melodramatic tale of love, betrayal and tragedy. Set in New York's Coney Island carnival show, the setting couldn't be more different than a European opera house but here amongst the freaks of a side show, the Phantom feels quite at home.

Christine (Meghan Picerno) and now husband Raoul (Sean Thompson) along with their son Gustave (Jake Heston Miller) arrive on Coney Island to perform for composer Oscar Hammerstein. But the phantom (Gardar Thor Cortes) has other plans for her. Having composed the most beautiful song, he only wants Christine to perform it.

But Meg (Mary Michael Patterson) is the star of this show, and she'll have no one upstage her. Along with her mother Madame Giry (Karen Mason) they've been keeping a secret: the Phantom resides here. Oh the sideshow cast knows, but poor Christine and her family doesn't.

"Love" makes the most of the carnival theme, and in this setting is where this musical truly shines. Webber's musical numbers don't pack the pinch of the earlier work, although this cast has some really amazing voices, notably our Phantom, Christine, and Gustave.

The set pieces are wondrous, and the choreography is extremely intricate, notably during "The Beauty Underneath" and "Only For You." The story is curiously drawn out, given the fact that it seems rather different than the original; Christine seems less afraid of our protagonist and seems to remember him more fondly than she did in Paris.

The ensemble works incredibly well together, and Picerno dominates the stage, as well as Cortes. Miller is excellent as Gustave and the Broadway veteran Mason brings considerable experience to the role. The rest of the cast is spot on, and while the story isn't what one would expect as a follow up to Broadway's most famous villain, it nonetheless entertains, at least visually and audibly. Fans of "Phantom" will rejoice anyway.

"Love Never Dies" runs through December 31 at The Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) 220 Weybosset Street, Providence, RI 02903. For information or tickets, call 401-421-2997 or visit www.ppacri.org