Theatre, Theatre Reviews

Theatre Review: “Love Never Dies: The Phantom Returns” Is A Masterpiece Of Props & Vocal Espionage


 

 

The year is 1907. It is 10 years after his disappearance from the Paris Opera House and the Phantom has escaped to a new life in New York where he lives amongst the screaming joy rides and freak shows of Coney Island. In this new, electrically charged world, he has finally found a place for his music to soar, but he has never stopped yearning for his one true love and musical protégée, Christine Daaé.

Stage presence alone sets up the storyline for this romantic time warp that delves into the lives of a couple whose previous romance was torn apart by unbridled youth and speculation. The Phantom (Bronson Norris Murphy) and Christine Daae’ (Meghan Picerno), are the two whose love life together dissipated after The Phantom disappeared and escaped to New York ten years ago. Through the passing of time, The Phantom seems to have never gotten over his one true love and musical accompaniment that could vocally paralyze him into hell, fire, and damnation. Christine, a world renown soprano, whom he loved deeply, in the meantime, has married a commoner, Raoul (Sean Thompson) who has a gambling and drinking habit that is causing issues in the marriage. As they each have lived separate lives, there is an underlying secret that when exposed changes each of their entire courses in life.

Christine, who is in dire need of a financial breakthrough, makes a decision to leave Paris and go to New York to accept an invitation to perform at a world-famous Opera House. The Phantom, who is yearning to hear her voice once again, is behind the life-changing deal that if followed through, promises to make Christine financially and able to live comfortably. The tables turn unequivocally when Christine learns The Phantom is alive after his ten-year disappearance and he is the one behind the offer to bring her to New York. Looking for a way to smooth things over, The Phantom seems to gain the upper hand when he makes a promise to take her son Gustave (Christian Harmston, Jake Heston Miller) to Coney Island, a placed he’s long dreamed about. The stakes become even greater and hell breaks loose when it is revealed that The Phantom is the father of Christine’s ten-year-old son Gustave. At the eleventh hour, Christine is faced with the ultimate decision, which is to choose to sing the one song that will soothe The Phantom’s heart and reward her financially, or lose her beloved husband Raoul after The Phantom exposes the truth about Gustave. The plot thickens as Christine, The Phantom, and Raoul try to outwit each other to come out on top.

It goes without saying, this new touring production, directed by Simon Phillips, is one of the most elaborate stage presentations that I’ve ever seen. While “Love Never Dies: The Phantom Returns,” has been around worldwide since 2010, this entire makeover of the 1907 event is certain to gain more fans who are already familiar with the undisputed talent of Andrew Lloyd Webber and his musical compositions. While the weight of the extremely talented vocalists may lift the musical to new heights, the basic storyline of love and loss makes for wholesome family entertainment that is well worth the price of admission. Don’t miss it!

“Love Never Dies: The Phantom Returns” is presented by Dallas Summer Musicals July 24 – August 5 at the Music Hall at Fair Park

 

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Tracee Bond

Tracee is a movie critic and interviewer who was born in Long Beach and raised in San Diego, California. As a Human Resource Professional and former Radio Personality, Tracee has parlayed her interviewing skills, interest in media, and crossover appeal into a love for the Arts and a passion for understanding the human condition through oral and written expression. She has been writing for as long as she can remember and considers it a privilege to be complimented for the only skill she has been truly able to master without formal training!