Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Love Never Dies’ Opens; Ice Skating at Schenley Park (Tues., 1/2/18

1) And now … no, wait, wait. And now … nope, sorry, wait again. And NOW—yes, finally—to the delight of many Andrew Lloyd Webber fans, the sequel to Phantom of the Opera has arrived in America. The official U.S. touring company brings Love Never Dies to Pittsburgh. Few musicals have had such a long and laborious gestation. Lloyd Webber began work on this sequel in the 1990s, with thriller novelist Frederick Forsyth writing the libretto, but a satisfactory script was not achieved. After two more librettists revised Forsyth’s draft, Love Never Dies opened in London in 2010, amid great fanfare but bad reviews. (Critical opinions ranged from “bizarrely unexciting” to “dismally implausible.”) Further rounds of rework followed. And though an anticipated Broadway production was postponed, then back-burnered indefinitely, the show is now said to be much improved. Love Never Dies is set 10 years after Phantom of the Opera. The jilted-but-undead Phantom has relocated to New York, where he is the mysterious operator of a Coney Island amusement park with carnival-type sideshow acts. Keeping his true identity secret, he invites his lost love Christine to sing there. When she comes, music, intrigue, and high drama ensue. The musical is presented here as part of the PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh series. 7:30 p.m. Performances through January 7. Benedum Center, 237 7^th St., Cultural District.

2) Do you aspire to be the next great Winter olympian or just looking for a good workout? Enjoy ice skating at the Citiparks’ Schenley Skating Rink. Set among beautiful pine trees, the rink also offers a picturesque view of Downtown Pittsburgh. 7 – 9 p.m. and 9:30 – 11:30 p.m. (adults 18+. Skate rentals and lessons available. Overlook Drive, Schenley Park, Squirrel Hill.

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