"Love Never Dies" - ongoing chat- (LND SPOILERS!)

[honeyphan]

I’ve had a few people ask me questions relating to LND (Love Never Dies) and the Hidden Plot, so I started this thread with the intention of showing how ALW’s new stage show, the “continuing story” of his PotO – DOES apply to the movie/ hidden plot. And how it DOES NOT.

PLEASE BE WARNED- major spoilers from the stage show will be shown here, and since they are out in the public, I’m posting it freely. I won’t be putting the spoiler tags on since I’m interweaving it with things I want to mention … so if you haven’t seen the show and want to be surprised, do NOT read further …

When ALW first mentioned he would do the sequel and told a bit about it, I said then that LND wasn’t a sequel to the movie or the Hidden Plot. I still have that opinion.

For one thing, the movie had Christine die in her sixties. For another, it showed Raoul as a Vicomte throughout all of movie, including the auction, while Christine had become a Countess. IF she had married Raoul, she would have taken on HIS title for a name, in the feminine form- Vicomtesse (or Viscountess if they were keeping it to the English and not the French). A woman of Christine’s background took on the man’s title in those days. No exceptions.

Neither of the above happened in the LND stage show. And there were a few other differences in the movie as well. The stage show was truly “stand alone.” It’s like this—someone decides to write two phanphics (and ANYTHING other than the original Gaston Leroux could be called a phanphic—even if it’s written by a professional.) I’ve written 5 phanphics and am writing others (though in NO way do I compare myself to ALW and his genius!)- but the point is—though they’re all E/C pairing with only Erik & Christine being the true loves and they all originate from the same classic story—they each have different plots regarding what could have happened either during movie or after or both.

I believe that’s what ALW did with the PotO stage show, the LND stage show, and the movie—he wrote 2 (or 3) different phanphic ideas – of the SAME pairing. Erik and Christine.

So, how are LND and the movie/hidden plot alike? Both are all about E/C and their love that was strong, passionate, eternal - and never died. With a bond between them so strong, nothing could break it. Not time, not events, not other people ... nothing.

With Love Never Dies, ALW has now come right out and blatantly shown that he prefers E/C – he clearly wrote it that way. Before, in other mediums such as the movie, fans would speculate and argue that we E/Cers were just seeing what we wanted to see. Things were often too unclear (the ending), too hazy, and “hidden” (i.e.- Hidden Plot). Phantasia CD also was all about E/C love, put out by ALW, but “canon” fans would say—"it was just about the music, only the music. That’s all that E/C had together." "She felt sorry for him, pitied him," and who knows how many other reasons we heard for her kiss to him, etc. Never mind how with using the sets and costumes and music and body language and so much more they showed the E/C kiss as much more passionate, fulfilling, love-filled, and romantic than the R/C one, which seemed sweet but almost childish — still everyone “canon” and R/C said we were wrong.

Well, now ALW has SHOWN, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that no, the music wasn’t the only bond holding Erik and Christine together. And no, she wasn’t under his spell either. They had a love- a love that NEVER died. Meaning — it was always there.

I've said before that maybe one reason ALW (and JS) created the hidden plot/deeper story through the symbolism used, etc, was because they were worried and nervous about how the phans might react. And after more than a decade in the entertainment industry myself (my day job) no one can tell me that all we found didn’t mean something, (differing views about some of the ideas for the symbolism, sure)—but in the movie, it all boils down to Erik & Christine as soul mates, lovers, and eventually coming together. That she saved him just as much as he saved her. (The Hidden Plot points to marriage.)

ALW made LND into an opera, which has to end tragically as all operas do. That is what an opera is — a tragic romance story told through singing. So, before they could marry, tragedy struck. But the intent was there — they WOULD marry and spend a lifetime together. Christine had made her choice, to leave Raoul, choosing to sing Love Never Dies to show that she loves and always has loved Erik, and Raoul, knowing he’d lost, surrendered and walked away.

But back to what I said before — remember when ALW first had the idea for Love Never Dies? He wasn’t certain he should do it, he held back. But his friends encouraged him to go for it. My feeling is he held back because he knew there would be a lot of angry R/C and “canon” phans especially, and it could hurt his revenue. I even said at the time of the hidden plot unraveling that might be why he made a “hidden plot” in movie and didn’t come out with an ending that CLEARLY showed E/C but instead was hazy and confusing, only being able to find an "E/C everlasting love" idea through symbolism, clues, etc.

In looking at the reviews for the show, I see that many phans are upset about the whole E/C idea, just as I suspected might happen. Is it any wonder he hid the E/C truth of “love and forever” within the movie? I think though, it wasn’t enough for him — to subtly show it in a way it was almost hidden — and he decided the time had come to boldly show what he meant all along. To at last have a show where Christine stated her love, showed it in backstory and present story, and showed them as the couple always meant to be.

Yes, I still feel the stage show and the movie are different — LND is not a sequel to the movie. But it WAS yet another way to show what ALW has always meant with the PotO stage show, with the 2004 movie, with the Phantasia CD, with the companion book (including the original screenplay of JS, who has also shown an E/C preference in many ways). And now, finally in big black bold letters, on stage, in song, in every way conceivable —with Love Never Dies— ALW has clearly shown it was always about Erik and Christine and their love. And they were the ones that he meant to end up together.

If he does do a Love Never Dies “sequel” for the movie (I don’t see how he can really) but if he does, he’ll have to change that last scene for sure, because Christine didn’t die in her 20s, as it shows in LND. The only other way he could do it is just to say — okay, here’s another movie, with the PotO idea — but it’s standalone (like he did with the stage show) — a continuing idea to the PotO theme of the original, but NOT a sequel to the 2004 movie.

Regarding some questions recently asked of me since LND’s premiere, first, here are two snippets of what someone said who saw the show (I fixed some grammar, spelling, etc, to make it easier to read):



Q: Do they ever explain the whole Christine/Phantom one night stand/ conceiving Gustave thing?

A: yea they do explain that Christine goes to the phantom before her wedding day and they sleep together, and then the phantom leaves her as morning approaches because he is soooooo shamed at what he had done and thinks that she'll be repulsed by him.


From Honey- Just because this person said she goes to him “before her wedding day”- I don’t take that to mean that she had still planned to marry Raoul, if she'd ever planned to. The above is only how one theater goer put it, in her words.
It doesn’t fit for what they've shown of Christine’s character to do that … to go hunt Erik down and get a quickie with him while planning to marry another man. Also, then it makes no sense of why Erik would feel the need to leave the country — if she just came to him for that one night and would never see him again.

I think the idea of the backstory of LND was that Christine DID make her choice (ordered of her at end of PotO lair scene). SHE went to Erik — she went looking for him, found him, and the passion that had been building between them throughout all of PotO found an explosive outlet. In short, they gave into their feelings for one another, probably not planning to, but unable to keep from doing so. They made love.

BUT- they still show Erik as an honorable man — because he came to be ashamed of what he’d done. Everyone makes mistakes, and he felt he’d made one in taking Christine to his bed. But that’s not all of what made him leave — he was sure that not only would she regret that they’d made love before marriage (and that he’d taken her virginity away — a MAJOR thing in those days) — but he felt that now that the passion had ebbed, in the clear, stark light of morning she would be repulsed that she had made love to a monster, how he saw himself. Perhaps he even felt he had pushed her into it (wrongly, as she later tells him by saying she loved him). He’s struggled over 30 years with his face and all the abuse and rejection that came from it. One extremely passionate kiss, later followed by a night of lovemaking with the woman he adores is not going to suddenly change his views about himself. Something like that would take a great deal of time … and perhaps he would never be able to completely let go of the pain and accept himself.

So, upset with himself and worried that she’ll now despise him (for more than one reason), he leaves her as morning approaches — which sounds as if he left the bed before she woke up.

So, now picture Christine. She made her choice and in so doing, she, a virgin, gave herself to the man she loves — engaging in an act that was then considered scandalous before marriage — only to wake up and find him gone. And knowing Erik, this time he ran away to where she couldn’t find him. We know he ran away — to Coney Island. She probably felt hurt, abandoned, and betrayed — and then very scared when she discovered she was pregnant. She turned to her childhood friend — whether she told him the baby was Erik’s or not, I don’t know — but I’m pretty sure he knew about the baby’s identity all through LND. (Please correct me if I’m wrong about that.) Raoul, as he’d always done in playing “white knight” – saved the woman he loved by marrying her — but he became very bitter, a drunk, and a gambler. Why would he become that and sink so low if he had at some point won Christine’s love???
Because he knew he never had and never would. (“Say you love him and my life is over”)

He knew her heart would always belong to Erik, and the only reason she married Raoul was to give a name for her child, needing someone to take care of them. I don’t doubt that in her own way, Christine did love Raoul. As a friend. As someone to protect her and Gustave (her and Erik's son). But never, NEVER as strongly and deeply as she loved Erik. HE left HER (because of some wrong ideas and a whole lot of guilt)—and if she could have found him when he first left and convinced him to stay with her, I believe she would have. Maybe she even tried. Why do I think this? Because of this…

Q: In the show do Christine and the Phantom share any sort of romance?

A: when the Phantom and Christine are together they have loads of chemistry, and also during the song beneath a moonless sky there is sooooooooo much passion between the characters, during this song Christine also tells the phantom that she loved him. But I guess she tells him when she is performing the title song. During “Devil Take the Hindmost” Raoul and the Phantom have a bet that if Christine sang she would stay with the Phantom and if she didn’t she would leave with Raoul and their debt would be repaid. So Christine decides during the title song.



From Honey: Erik sent for Christine, to work for him—he had to see her again, to hear her voice (“‘Til I Hear You Sing” shows that). He felt empty and needed her near. After a decade of not seeing him, not knowing he was her new employer, the very moment they see each other, the sparks are there and within a short time Christine tells Erik she loved HIM. He learns Gustave is his son. Throughout the show, whenever she and Erik are together, it’s obvious that their love NEVER DIED. And they have a son together, which is even more of a bond they share.

From what I understand, that song was a way of telling Erik she still loves him. If she sings it, she admits her love is still there (and hurts Raoul who’s been her friend — she tries to be a “dutiful” wife throughout — the conflict in this, her not wanting to hurt Raoul more than she has) — and if she sings it, she will stay with Erik and become his wife. If she doesn’t sing it, Erik will leave them alone, pay all their debts, and they will never see him again.
Raoul tries to convince her not to sing. I’m not sure if he tells her all the details of the bet. But in the end, she cannot betray her heart and her need to be with Erik …

There are a few things I don’t like about LND, sure — one of the main ones being that Christine dies tragically in the end — when the gun accidentally goes off, due to a jealous Meg who’s also fallen in love with Erik, and first turned the gun on him, then herself. He talked her out of killing them both, but then made the mistake of calling her Christine (his mind and heart full of the woman who’d just proven her love to him, no doubt.) In the end, Erik finds the love and acceptance he's always craved--first through Christine, then through their son.

I once said I’d never see it, because I thought it would be based on POM, which totally went against all character. (And also I heard that Erik would “make love” to a Christine mannequin).
LND did have a bit of the same concept of POM at the end, but the characters remained true to life in how I believe they could have evolved, knowing PotO story — and he didn’t feel up a mannequin. lol

And so, I’ve changed my mind.

One day, I hope to be able to go and see it.

These are my views. If anyone has any questions or comments or wants to add, please feel free to speak up. I'm only basing this on what I’ve read about the show through reviews people have sent me, both professional and amateur. In light of that, please remember I don’t have all the answers — except to say:

LND was clearly all about E/C, and so was the movie (with a plot no longer hidden).

Long live Erine!

[Godzuki]

Honey, I really like your point about the different versions; POTO is a well known story,and like so many stories, there are many adaptations. In Swan Lake for example, sometimes the prince and Odette live happily ever after, but sometimes their ending is tragic where they are only together in death. But the power of love and how love ultimately triumphs is the main theme. I see much the same with POTO, the main theme of love conquering evil and looking within to see true beauty, even though story details may change. Look at all the phanfics, many have a HEA for E/C, some are tragic. Some have E with another, many variations, but the P is a beloved character who has touched peoples lives, so many identify with him and see him redeemed. I think some of the best stories (both fiction and real life) out there are of those whose lives are transformed, so inspiring

In LND, I'm glad the P changed (didn't live underground anymore, made his own successful empire, became a better man), it would be so sad if C's love/kiss meant nothing to him and didn't transform him. GL ended his book with his heartfelt opinion that E had “to hide his genius or use it to play tricks with, when, with an ordinary face, he would have been one of the most distinguished of mankind! He had a heart that could have held the empire of the world” (and GL goes on to say that he prayed over E's remains, showing how he moved he was by him). I think this captures the character GL wanted to share with world, someone who at first glance was a “monster”, but upon 2nd look, a gifted human being, worthy of love and redemption. I see ALW's POTO and LND as doing the same, showing the transforming power of love and how we need to really look at each other and appreciate the beauty within

I once said I’d never see it, because I thought it would be based on POM, which totally went against all character. (And also I heard that Erik would “make love” to a Christine mannequin).
LND did have a bit of the same concept of POM at the end, but the characters remained true to life in how I believe they could have evolved, knowing PotO story — and he didn’t feel up a mannequin. lol

And so, I’ve changed my mind.

One day, I hope to be able to go and see it.

I wanna go with you!

Long live Erine!

OK it took me a minute to figure that out I agree! *sigh* (happy romantic sigh)

[whisper]

So, now picture Christine. She made her choice and in so doing, she, a virgin, gave herself to the man she loves — engaging in an act that was then considered scandalous before marriage — only to wake up and find him gone. And knowing Erik, this time he ran away to where she couldn’t find him. We know he ran away — to Coney Island. She probably felt hurt, abandoned, and betrayed — and then very scared when she discovered she was pregnant. She turned to her childhood friend — whether she told him the baby was Erik’s or not, I don’t know — but I’m pretty sure he knew about the baby’s identity all through LND. (Please correct me if I’m wrong about that.) Raoul, as he’d always done in playing “white knight” – saved the woman he loved by marrying her — but he became very bitter, a drunk, and a gambler. Why would he become that and sink so low if he had at some point won Christine’s love???
Because he knew he never had and never would. (“Say you love him and my life is over”)

He knew her heart would always belong to Erik, and the only reason she married Raoul was to give a name for her child, needing someone to take care of them. I don’t doubt that in her own way, Christine did love Raoul. As a friend. As someone to protect her and Gustave (her and Erik's son). But never, NEVER as strongly and deeply as she loved Erik. HE left HER (because of some wrong ideas and a whole lot of guilt)—and if she could have found him when he first left and convinced him to stay with her, I believe she would have. Maybe she even tried.

first i applaud your passion for this story, i can't resist reading your comments. even now, as i should be shaving my appendages and preparing for a corporate dinner, i can't turn away, hahahahah

in this instance the time line fits perfectly, E&C, at some point have made love. certainly Raoul suspects that C loves E, and i agree the phrase "say you love him" speaks volumes. this kind of suspicion can destroy a marriage and in LND it has come to that. she chose safety above exploration and suffered the consequences... ennui and hostility.
i would have preferred if ALW had just anted up and admitted that something may have happened between E and C down in the lair after MOTN. perhaps E approached and checked on C, perhaps she awakened and both overcome with passion consummated their love, scandalous but understandable. 3 mos. later with the signs of pregnancy beginning, choosing R to give the child a birthright and security may have been a very painful decision, but in her time more a necessity. it might mean that the "look back" could encompass much more than a simple goodbye.

just rambling here but what the heck, i just love the story.

[Godzuki]

first i applaud your passion for this story, i can't resist reading your comments. even now, as i should be shaving my appendages and preparing for a corporate dinner, i can't turn away, hahahahah

just rambling here but what the heck, i just love the story.

Godzuki foresees a road trip to NYC to see LND in the future? I'll even shave my appendages!

[honeyphan]

Brilliant observations, Godzuki and Whisper!

(though I am chuckling here about shaving appendages!! lol)

I agree with you both, but on one thing I see how ALW couldn't have shown E & C consummating their union in MOTN and keeping it within PotO. That one line "That fate which condemns me to wallow in blood, has also denied me the joys of the flesh..." - prevented it.

So if ALW had done something like what you suggested, W, that would have made the lyrics not work and prove false.

I don't see Christine choosing safety over love initially. I see that SHE chose love- Erik. But he ran away. What was she to do? Go after him? Try to find him? How? She had no money. She wasn't accustomed to traveling or life outside the opera house either. What would even lead her believe that he went to America?

I think when Erik said "Make your choice!" - she first showed him her choice with her kiss.
Then he commanded her away, for Raoul to take her and go.

But unhappy with the course of events, Christine decided to find Erik and make it clear to him that he was her choice and she would have nothing less. Though I don't think she went with the idea of making love to him - I feel that just happened, with how they showed those moments between them - passion that sparked and blazed out of control ... (and I'm not just talking about the movie. I saw a lot of instances of strong passion in some of the later performances of the stage show. In fact, in comparing them, much of the more recent performances show their love a lot stronger, their passion a lot deeper, and less of Christine's fear than in the early days ... and some of the things even changed in the show to denote that too. Lyrics, for example.)

Like you said, W, choosing Raoul when she couldn't find Erik became a necessity - she no longer had a choice because of Erik's child growing inside her. In those days, a woman who found herself in that kind of situation was ruined- scandalized - and she was a former chorus girl who also had a bad reputation for being the reason the Phantom went on a rampage one night and destroyed the opera house. Since she had no money and no family she would have probably had to make a living on the streets to survive, or even sing in a bistro, since singing was the only skill she possessed. That's just how it was. Erik didn't know he was a father until she told him 10 years later. Had he known, I doubt he would have run out on her and left her to face such a terrible prospect for her future. His shame to have given into his desires for her showed he was an honorable man when it came to Christine, that he would experience such feelings. But not knowing she had conceived his child, probably thinking the worst of himself and now thinking she would be better off with Raoul, he left ... Before she came to Erik, he'd never expected to see her again (I sure would like to know the words to the "why" & "what if" song they sang to each other upon reuniting the first time!)

And Raoul was there. He had always been there for her, to help her out, ever since they were children. And he did so again.

I really think he knew all along that the baby was Erik's. I believe Christine told him from the start- I could be wrong, but nowhere in the detailed LND summary do I read that Raoul finds out the baby is Erik's and shows shock or anything like that. So unless he said so otherwise, I think he knew all along. So, not only does he not and never has had Christine's love, he's also raising his enemy's child. Erik's child.
Wow, talk about a reason to be bitter! And turning to drink as an escape of the grim reality his life has become ... so much different than he had envisioned in PotO on the rooftop with Christine.

He knew all along C loved E. That was obvious in PONR when he rose with that tear in his eyes when he saw their passion on stage. Also when he cried out to her that desperate entreaty - "Say you love him and my life is over!" - and hung his head during E and C's impassioned kiss. (okay, some of it comparing it to movie, but from what I saw, PotO stage play also showed a spurned Raoul...)
And, in a sense, Raoul's life was over and those words did become prophetic. He threw his life away in a fierce need to forget, through drinking and gambling. The bitterness ate him up inside until he became cynical and complaining. (how they described him in the play.) Christine probably felt bad about what she'd done, feeling she'd ruined his life- why she felt she must be the dutiful wife and help Raoul by taking the job as a singer so they could survive, as he'd helped her all her life, and she did try to be loving toward him. But her heart was always Erik's, and it was only the shell of herself that she had left to give Raoul. (I don't mean sex. I imagine they might have had it at first, as C tried to be a good wife to R, determined to try and forget Erik (remember, she doesn't know why he left her) - but as the marriage disintegrated, I would think that facet of it did too. Just because of his behavior and his character, what he became. All speculation, of course, based on the character Raoul became. If he had C, he wouldn't have been so desolate. But he never had her...)

It's sad, really. I never disliked Raoul, and in my own phanphics I try to show that. I wish he could have found happiness with a woman who would love him - but he was a secondary character, and very often in romance stories of this caliber the secondaries get the short end of the stick, so to put it. lol

[honeyphan]

added note- this is another reason why I believe that Raoul knew about Gustave being Erik's son from the first, and other things. From the write-up of a professional reviewer:

My first opinion of Raoul is confirmed by the way he treats his son and talks to his wife soon after they arrive at the Hotel. He does nothing but complain and his drinking problem evident (which is added to by the gambling problem referred to more than once). Their son, Gustave, has a pure voice to match his pure heart and it is easy to see that Christine loves him dearly. It’s even apparent that she loves her husband and is devoted to him though one wonders why. Raoul leaves for ‘fresh air’ (at the local bar) and Gustave goes to bed after his mother comforts him when he questions if his father loves him. Then Christine, left alone, plays the musical toy that was given to her son and recognizes the music. She is standing there obviously feeling a presence as The Phantom enters from the balcony. They sing the ‘why’ and ‘what if’ game. The love, history, and attraction is so transparent but she remains the dutiful wife.

[C&E4eva]

[quote="honeyphan"]
(I fixed some grammar, spelling, etc, to make it easier to read)
[color=#BF0000]Thank you!!

There are a few things I don’t like about LND, sure — one of the main ones being that Christine dies tragically in the end — when the gun accidentally goes off, due to a jealous Meg who’s also fallen in love with Erik, and first turned the gun on him, then herself. He talked her out of killing them both, but then made the mistake of calling her Christine (his mind and heart full of the woman who’d just proven her love to him, no doubt.) In the end, Erik finds the love and acceptance he's always craved--first through Christine, then through their son.
Ummm, wow!! Meg is one jealous beeatch is this!! but just because E called her Christine dosn't give her a reason to shoot her! What was Christine doing there anyways?

Long live Erine! [/color] [quote]

Thanks Honey! this really helps!! xx

[honeyphan]

(I fixed some grammar, spelling, etc, to make it easier to read)
[color=#BF0000]Thank you!!

There are a few things I don’t like about LND, sure — one of the main ones being that Christine dies tragically in the end — when the gun accidentally goes off, due to a jealous Meg who’s also fallen in love with Erik, and first turned the gun on him, then herself. He talked her out of killing them both, but then made the mistake of calling her Christine (his mind and heart full of the woman who’d just proven her love to him, no doubt.) In the end, Erik finds the love and acceptance he's always craved--first through Christine, then through their son.
Ummm, wow!! Meg is one jealous beeatch is this!! but just because E called her Christine dosn't give her a reason to shoot her! What was Christine doing there anyways?

Long live Erine! [/color]

Thanks Honey! this really helps!! xx

You're welcome, C&E4eva!

This answer also contains spoilers - (for any who don't want to know yet...)

After Christine proved her love to Erik by singing that song "Love Never Dies" - Raoul left C, as the bet stipulated - and then it was obvious C & E would always be together forever. But then they learned that Meg kidnapped Gustave - so they ran to find him, leading them to the wharf where Meg had him as a hostage. She let him go then turned the gun on Eric, then herself, and just when she had snapped out of her crazed moment, through Eric's song, he accidentally called her Christine. It's my understanding that she quickly stepped away from him or something, after hearing that name, forgetting she had a gun and as she brought it down it somehow went off and shot Christine. She never meant to shoot her friend. Only Eric, then herself. She was very upset that she had shot her, but Christine forgave her before she died.

for all who want to know, here is the official write-up of a reviewer regarding the entire stage play:

... This may be a continuation of the most famous love story but it is a separate story all it’s own. Taking place 10 years after the infamous Paris Opera House, it offers one surprise after another. The Phantom is a Man in his own right having created a mysterious and intriguing world on Coney Island, his Phantasma. He sends for Christine to perform there. Due to monetary problems, Christine accepts and brings her husband and son with her, no one realizing who Mr Y is. Her husband seems like a pompous jerk who complains about everything but her child seems to share her qualities and is kind and innocent. Just when they think no one is there to meet them at the dock, a ‘glass’ horse and a seemingly empty carriage with a glass skeleton driver pulls up. The door opens and The Phantom’s Devoted Trio get out to greet them and take them to their master. The visual imagery projected was terrific as it showed ‘the carriage’ travelling over a bridge and a map showing where they were going from and travelling to. The combination of projection, the actual scenery/stage set, and live actors complimented one another and helped to portray the story.

My first opinion of Raoul is confirmed by the way he treats his son and talks to his wife soon after they arrive at the Hotel. He does nothing but complain and his drinking problem evident (which is added to by the gambling problem referred to more than once). Their son, Gustave, has a pure voice to match his pure heart and it is easy to see that Christine loves him dearly. It’s even apparent that she loves her husband and is devoted to him though one wonders why. Raoul leaves for ‘fresh air’ (at the local bar) and Gustave goes to bed after his mother comforts him when he questions if his father loves him. Then Christine, left alone, plays the musical toy that was given to her son and recognizes the music. She is standing there obviously feeling a presence as The Phantom enters from the balcony. They sing the ‘why’ and ‘what if’ game. The love, history, and attraction is so transparent but she remains the dutiful wife. By the way, the detail in the hotel room, particularly the door / balcony was splendid. Gustave awakens from a nightmare and meets his mother’s ‘friend’, Mr Y (the man who brought them there).

The next day, Christine and Gustave go backstage at Phantasma for business-related reasons when who should she run into but Meg Giry. They are joined by Raoul and Madame Giry where they have a surprise reunion. As they sing, Dear Old Friend, it is apparent that it is an awkward reunion and not a welcomed one especially for Meg and Madam Giry. This is when Raoul finds out who the boss is and he is not pleased about the news.

The Phantom calls for Gustave and his devoted trio brings the boy to his room. The boy is intrigued with all the inventions / gadgets (like the walking skeleton with lady’s legs) which pushes a table across the stage). He also plays the piano for The Phantom. The Phantom marvels at his musical talent and enjoys that Gustave is at home there. There is some important news that is revealed before the intermission and not something that makes everyone happy.

After the intermission, the Orchestra plays Entr’acte, a beautiful introduction to Part II. The rest of the scenes are as good as the first half. There are humorous parts throughout the musical… one being in the bar when The Phantom (pretending to be a bartender) reveals himself to Raoul. That was a good scene between the two men in Christine’s life. I will say that Christine obviously will have to make a choice but I won’t say any more. I don’t want to spoil anything so will just continue that it is full of intrigue, surprise, laughter, tears, and an undying love. The ending was very unexpected but again I can’t divulge more because I want you to go and enjoy it. I want you to be surprised and moved. Whether you’re a hopeless romantic or a sceptic of love or whether you just want to see how the story continues… you’ll want to see Love Never Dies. Go, take it in, feel it, and enjoy!

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S P O I L E R A L E R T

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If you want to know more, please read on… if not, PLEASE READ NO FURTHER!!!

The Phantom figures out before intermission that Gustave is his son (which I also figured out so may not be a surprise to you). At the altercation at the bar, the men make an agreement… if Christine performs that evening, Raoul will leave. If she does not perform, The Phantom will let her be and will pay all of Raoul’s debts. It is touch and go what she will do as she is almost pulled in by Raoul’s words. Her love for The Phantom though is too strong and at the last minute while on the stage, she starts to sing. She sings Love Never Dies… Raoul surprisingly honors the deal made or maybe just realizes he has no chance and leaves. She has chosen her true love. Just when you delightedly think there will be a happy-ever-after ending… there is more – Meg has taken Gustave. She is saddened by the realization that her boss loves another and feels used for all the years she gave to him. She is beside herself with grief. After a chase / search on the streets of Coney Island, they are found on the pier. Gustave is scared. Meg lets him go and he flees to the protective arms of his mother. Meg then pulls out a gun… The Phantom’s gun and points it at him while The Phantom and her mother try to talk her out of doing anything stupid or dangerous. She then turns the gun to herself when The Phantom talks her (or sings her) out of doing any self-harm… you think everything is fine until he accidentally calls her Christine at the end. That pushes her over the edge and she almost unknowingly fires the gun at Christine’s direction. Yes, Christine is shot to the dismay of all, even her shooter whom she forgives before she dies. She also reveals to Gustave who his father is and helps him accept it. The Phantom and Christine share a love-filled, emotional kiss and embrace before she tragically dies. The scene ends with Gustave removing his father’s mask and touching his face – a form of acceptance and a moving moment between father and son indicating that they will be okay.

[C&E4eva]

That is really sad. Thanks Honey!! I feel sorry for all of them. Even Raoul!!
Do you have any idea where Meg got her??

[honeyphan]

That is really sad. Thanks Honey!! I feel sorry for all of them. Even Raoul!!
Do you have any idea where Meg got her??

Got her ... ????
lol sorry, don't understand what you mean?

In reading a review, I'm now not sure now if Meg was also in love with Erik or if she was angry that Christine now would have the lead (when Meg has had the lead for the past 10 years) and would be booted from the top of the docket in his show. And if that's what the whole Meg "jealousy" bit was about. Or if it was both. Like I said, I'm just writing what I've read from many professional reviews and amateur theater goers who've seen this - I have not seen it myself.