Brand New Buzz

Andrew Lloyd Webber is an English composer who also happens to be a Broadway icon. He has had many hit musicals in London, New York and all over the world. He is recognized as one of the forerunners of the rock musical, and Jesus Christ Superstar continues to be one of the most commonly produced rock musicals in the United States. Tim Rice wrote the lyrics for Jesus Christ Superstar and has been a major collaborator with Webber. Cats is another popular musical and the song Memory has become popular in the mainstream and is often heard on the radio. The Phantom of the Opera is another popular hit and is currently playing on Broadway. Guests who are staying in one of the boutique hotels New York often visit the city to see a musical, and Webber is always at the top of the list.

Phantom won 7 Tony Awards when it opened in 1988, including the one for Best Musical. It is based on the novel of the same name, written by French writer Gaston Leroux. Charles Hart wrote the lyrics for Webber’s music, and Richard Stilgoe is credited with additional lyrics. It opened in London’s West End in 1986, before coming to New York. Hal Prince, the honored Broadway director, directed the production, and Gillian Lynne did the choreography. The musical captures the romantic imagination of the audience and its haunting melodies remain in hearts and minds long after having seen it. It is the second longest running musical in London’s West End and the longest ever-running musical on Broadway. Webber is currently working on a sequel titled Phantom: Love Never Dies. It was originally scheduled to open in November of this year, however the date has been set back to March of 2010. The first act of the Sequel has been staged in Webber’s country home in Sydmonton.

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