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Love Never Dies in Japan

Posted by:	Kaoru 01:45 pm EDT 04/03/14
In reply to:	re: Frank Wildhorn and Japanese musical industry - TXTyler 04:02 am EDT 04/03/14

Yes, Japanese musical fans love Elisabeth. I forgot to mention they produced Rudolf, which is another Wildhorn's musical. So LND (strangely, in Japanese, the title was changed to Love Never "Die"), they imported the Australian production set and costumes and performed as the Australian version. I have the DVD but didn't see it prior to watching the Japanese production but it's pretty much the same. I actually really like POTO and saw the show nearly 20 times lol, especially they were running in SF for five years. Anyway, I think POTO is like a B movie (except it's not a low budget movie) but with a class. LND on the other hand, is another B movie without any class or romance. Casting two actors who are over 60 yrs old as Phantom doesn't help either, but due to star casting system in Japan, and those actors actually sell the tickets, they couldn't cast real talented actor(s) for Phantom. Did you hear about a story that in an interview ALW said they were considering changing the ending and trying to bring it to Broadway? I don't think it'll work as the premise of the story doesn't make much sense.
Link	Press Conference for Japanese Love Never Dies

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re: Love Never Dies in Japan

Posted by:	TXTyler 06:12 pm EDT 04/03/14
In reply to:	Love Never Dies in Japan - Kaoru 01:45 pm EDT 04/03/14

I'm also a big fan of the original. So much in fact that I purchased a ticket to see the Estonian production next year. I wish I could say the same of LND. It's lifeless and a bit embarrassing. As you said, the premise makes little sense, and the material does nothing to hide this fact. I'm glad to hear that they're possibly thinking of changing the ending, although I'm sure it wouldn't be the ending I'd like. Haha! As far as I'm concerned, all of the characters are completely different in POTO and LND. Almost all of the heroes of the first (Raoul, Meg, M. Giry) come off as complete and utter assholes in the sequel, and the Phantom is suddenly a fine, upstanding guy (who somehow, mysteriously, has only gotten younger as the rest of the cast ages). The three narrator types are poor substitutes for Carlotta and the managers, too. It's got some gorgeous music in between the big clunkers like Bathing Beauty and Devil Take the Hindmost. BTW, who played the Phantom in LND? Was it one of the original Phantoms from POTO? If so, I'd almost say it's a step in the right direction. In almost all productions around the world, the actor is quite young. Although the music is written for more of a pop voice than the original musical calls for, it's nice to see some continuity. Thanks for your comment. Very interesting. Ty

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