Broadway continues to remain shut down amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, but theatergoers haven’t been completely left in the dark.
Every Friday, the YouTube channel “The Shows Must Go On” streams an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical — for free.
After showing a special 25th anniversary production of “The Phantom of the Opera” — which raised more than $400,000 for the Actors Fund and other charities — the channel is following up this week with the sequel “Love Never Dies,” according to Playbill.
The production will be available to watch for 48 hours, beginning April 24 at 12 p.m. MT.
“Love Never Dies” kicks the “Phantom” story 10 years down the road, according to Playbill.
After leaving the Paris Opera House, the Phantom has found new life at Brooklyn’s Coney Island. Christine, meanwhile, has married Raoul, and the couple has a young son — although their marriage is struggling. Now one of the world’s best sopranos, Christine is invited to make her American debut at a renowned opera house in New York.
With Christine and her family nearby, the Phantom works to lure them into his new world so he can win Christine’s love.
“The Shows Must Go On” will stream the Australian production from 2012 starring Ben Lewis as the Phantom, Anna O’Byrne as Christine Daae, and Simon Gleeson as Raoul, according to Playbill.
“The Shows Must Go On” has also aired “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” starring Donny Osmond, and a 2012 arena production of “Jesus Christ Superstar,” according to the Deseret News.
The streams help support a number of organizations during the pandemic, encouraging viewers to donate to Acting for Others, Broadway Cares, Actors Benevolent Fund and more, according to Playbill.
In self-isolation, Webber has stayed connected to fans through social media, the Deseret News previously reported. Using the hashtags #HomeIsWhereTheMusicIs and #TogetherAtHome, the “Phantom” composer has regularly performed songs from his musicals on his piano at home, and even invited fans to share their own videos singing along to the songs.
Most recently, Webber played “Think of Me” from “The Phantom of the Opera.” He asked for fans to create their own cadenzas at the end of the song and submit them. Webber said he would then select his favorite and that it would be performed by Christine on the night “Phantom of the Opera” reopens on London’s West End.