Lloyd Webber confident in 'Love' stars

NEW YORK, July 4 (UPI) -- Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber says stage stars Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess should enjoy success in London and New York productions of "Love Never Dies."

Playbill reported Saturday that Karimloo, a noted stage actor in London's West End, and Boggess, known best for playing the lead in stage productions of "The Little Mermaid," will play the leads in Lloyd Webber's sequel to "The Phantom of the Opera."

"I personally feel that what will now happen is that Sierra and Ramin will open in London early next year and then go to New York in the autumn of 2010," Lloyd Webber said of the casting choices. "I think once the album comes out, hopefully before Christmas, a lot of singers will come out of the woodwork and we'll find new Christines and Phantoms for the other productions."

Playbill, citing a report by Britain's Daily Mail, said the "Love" performances will be directed by Jack O'Brien with lyrics from Glenn Slater and choreography by Jerry Mitchell.