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| I am currently away writing for a couple of weeks. I can confirm what I told the studio audience whilst on the set of ‘You’re The One That I Want’ last week in the US, that I am considering writing a sequel to Phantom of the Opera based on an idea presented to me over a decade ago. I will be returning to the UK shortly and hopefully have a blog for you, but let’s just say, I am full of ideas! |
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| I'll be the first to say that I've secretly wished for this project to happen... for some time. *avoids the flying objects, too late* *emergency CPR required* I remember getting the DVD for Andrew Lloyd Webber's 50th Birthday bash at the Royal Albert Hall. I was quite surprised when he got up onstage and introduced Kiri Te Kunawa, a sensational opera singer in my eyes IMO, premiering a new song from "what I'd like to be, a sequel to the story of The Phantom Of The Opera." What, what, what??? The song I proceeded to hear is one of the most beautiful I've ever heard in my life. I purchased the book that Frederick Forsyth wrote, "The Phantom Of Manhattan", and remember myself enjoying it. Years later, when the project was long dead, I read it again and was sick that night. It was so horrible. Of course, "The Heart Is Slow To Learn" became the sub-par "Our Kind Of Love" in "The Beautiful Game", IMO it *is* sub-par. That was pretty much the death-knell of THAT project. Another great song I have heard, which I have really loved, is "Not Allowed To Love" from the Batman musical. I run the Batman "memorial" site, so to speak, which is where all the Batfans are getting their demos, but neither me or the Steinman community are allowed to make available the 3 different demo mixes of that song. Which is an ENORMOUS shame! I hope that one day, the powers in charge let us put this out... Some of you may have heard it at Joe's Pub with "The Dream Engine"? I know it's a long shot, but if you want to talk sequels to famous pieces of work... let's go to the record business. Jim Steinman called up Meat Loaf in the 80s and said "let's do a sequel to BAT OUT OF HELL." A practically laughable idea since the first album had reached iconic status, listed in the Guinness World Records as most successful debut album up to that point, not to mention in the top 10 of greatest selling rock albums ever. How on EARTH would a sequel work?? Had albums even DONE sequels?? Needless to say, "I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)" topped the charts in 38 countries, becoming one of the greatest rock singles to have ever scored. "Bat Out Of Hell II: Back Into Hell" was an enormous comeback for Meat, currently on 15 million copies sold worldwide. I think of it THAT way. I know it may be a long shot from this Phantom sequel but Steinman's work, no matter HOW it's done, is like seeing a musical anyway. One reporter puts it this way: "Andrew Lloyd Webber on steroids". Plus I love controversial things like this. If it becomes one of the greatest flops ever, or a stunning breakthrough, I'll be there. Look at "Superstar", who would ever produce a rock opera about Jesus Christ? "Evita", who would produce a show about Eva Peron? "Cats", it took 200 investors to get this together and was Lloyd Webber's follie. Now look at it. If I recall, researching the history of "Phantom", everyone on Broadway thought Lloyd Webber was dooming himself when he announced THAT one. Then what did he do? Pulled a complete 180 with "Aspects Of Love". "Sunset Boulevard", again, only Sondheim had attempted THAT. "Whistle Down The Wind", another 180 from Sunset, this time exploring rock music. When ALW was going to do the Phantom sequel the first time, what did he do instead? A musical about SOCCER! You can't say he isn't diverse. Maybe he'll have the first phenomenal sequel success? I have no idea. I just love the controversy of it all. I say, bring on the Phantom sequel and WB, get back to work on "Batman" because the WORLD NEEDS TO HEAR NOT ALLOWED TO LOVE !!!! |