Beautiful voices, striking sets elevate dark, shocking “Phantom” sequel “Love Never Dies”

Photos provided by Broadway In Chicago

One of the most immensely anticipated sequels in Broadway history also earned incredibly mixed reactions when it opened on West End, but that didn’t stop Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom Of The Opera” follow-up “Love Never Dies” from marking out a month in Chicago on its inaugural American tour. The newly revised show based on the Australian production is naturally creating quite a curiosity stir amongst appreciators, and after opening night at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, it’s also safe to assume those who never saw the first round will have no problem getting the drift of the story.

As for the book by Webber and Ben Elton, “Love Never Dies” picks up ten years after The Phantom’s disappearance, though no matter how much time has passed, his obsession with lifelong love and musical protégée Christine has only accelerated.

Long before the verdict can be made if it’s worth the attention, theatregoers are sure to be taken by the shining talents of Gardar Thor Cortes (The Phantom), Chicagoan Meghan Picerno (Christine Daaé), Sean Thompson (Raoul), fellow Windy City native Karen Mason (Madame Giry), Mary Michael Patterson (Meg Giry) and additional local Casey Lyons (who splits the role of Gustave with Jake Heston Miller), all of whom wonderfully execute the massive range required for lovely, fairly memorable songs of this magnitude. And then there’s the striking sets straight out of Coney Island circa 1907, which take a darker, carnival-like approach that stands in stark contrast to the chandelier-adorned Paris Opera House from “Phantom,” but are nonetheless eye-catching in their presentation and creative in their construction.

As for the book by Webber and Ben Elton, “Love Never Dies” picks up ten years after The Phantom’s disappearance, though no matter how much time passed, his obsession with lifelong love and musical protégée Christine has only accelerated. Meanwhile, the soprano’s career continues to soar and glow all over the globe, even if her husband Raoul’s drinking and gambling have diminished their bank accounts to the point of needing a quick replenishment.

An invitation to sing at one of the Big Apple’s grandest opera house openings comes at just the right time, but within seconds after she, Raoul and their son Gustave land in America, strange behavior starts to surface. At first, it merely looks like they have a rude host and The Phantom never seems to be the one behind the hijinks (since after all, he was assumed to be dead), but after a few notes ring through the air from a music box, Christine immediately realizes he’s indeed alive and the concert engagement is only a portion of his complex plans.

However, it’s the back half when the writing goes a lot further off the rails, with one rapid, shocking development after the next that will truly keep everyone guessing, but seem increasingly out of step with the familiar franchise. That’s not to say “Love Never Dies” doesn’t have several aspects of its own identity, but unlike “Phantom’s” natural ability to prompt return visits, needing to see its continuation is probably a one and done deal outside of die-hards.

The best advice for anyone who falls in the middle would be to check all pre-conceived predictions at the door and be prepared to accept the portions of the plot that can’t be changed (for better or worse) within the context of simply this tale. At the very least, the singing is so extraordinary it helps brighten the darkness, elevate the imperfections and earn the standing ovation that “Love Never Dies” might not have unanimously elicited otherwise.

“Love Never Dies” continues at the Cadillac Palace Theatre through Mar. 4. For additional details, visit LoveNeverDies.com and BroadwayInChicago.com.