I don’t care how grumpy you are, just try to watch that sequence without reaching for the tissues. The way she sings the title song in the second act is a powerful reminder that she isn’t simply playing an opera singer, she actually is an opera singer, as well as a consummate singing actor. And while we’re used to Christine as a lyric soprano-really, as a Broadway singer with the ability to carry pseudo- classical songs-O’Byrne’s voice is a darker, more mature, and far more powerful dramatic soprano. She’s no longer the teenager moving from the ballet school into operatic stardom, but a seasoned professional in her mid twenties, perhaps a bit worn down by caring for a child and the burden of a handsome, but ultimately alcoholic and gambling addicted husband. Likewise, O’Byrne, playing an older Christine, is more restrained, less giddy, than in the original show. Still, he does threaten to make Christine’s son disappear if she doesn’t sing for him in his music hall-at least until he realizes who the musically gifted boy’s father actually is.
He isn’t necessarily nicer, but he doesn’t run around indiscriminately killing people, either. Love Never Dies’ Phantom is in many way a much more emotional part than in the original. Lewis sings the tenor notes beautifully, but he’s clearly a baritone with a good high range (as are a substantial proportion of operatic tenors). The Phantom is usually played by a tenor, for fairly obvious musical reasons. I know some people who don’t care for this, but, to each his own. Just my opinion, but with the Melbourne revisions, this may be the best thing Lloyd Webber has done since the original Phantom opened in 1986. O’Byrne was a principal artist with the Victorian Opera, and has since played Christine in the West End Phantom.
The adults are mostly popular Australian stage and television actors. Y” (the Phantom), Anna O’Byrne as Christine, Simon Gleeson as Raoul, Maria Mercedes as Madame Giry, Sharon Millerchip as Meg, and Jack Lyall as Christine’s 10- year- old son, Gustave. This BluRay of Love Never Dies was shot in Australia, and features the cast of the Melbourne production, which was heavily revamped, and much more favorable received by the critics. The West End production starred Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess, and the currently available cast recording is from that production.
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sequel to The Phantom of the Opera received mixed reviews in London’s West End, and the planned Broadway production never came off.
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