Lloyd Webber Has Cancer: Phantom Sequel in Jeopardy? Oct 26, 200912:47 PDT

Monday, October 26, 2009.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s cancer diagnosis raises questions about the March release of his anticipated sequel to the most successful musical of all time. Michael Jackson’s concert film This Is It hits theaters this week, and the Yankees win the chance to capture their record 27th World Series Title. This is your Daily Surf Report, using the best videos on the web to keep you abreast of the day’s top stories.

Can Michael Be The King Of Music Film?

For Michael Jackson fans, the tickets are already bought and the wait is almost over. Ever since it was announced that Sony had purchased recordings of the rehearsals of Jackson’s This Is It concert for $60 million and would be releasing a theatrical film based on the footage, and anticipation has been feverishly building. Offering a look into the singer’s final days, This Is It promises to satisfy both those wanting one last look at Jackson’s legendary performances as well as those curious for a peek into the hours leading up to the singer’s death.

The film officially opens Wednesday and will remain in theaters for only 16 days, however many theaters nation-wide will be offering previews tomorrow, October 27th.

Frequent Jackson collaborator (and High School Musical director) Kenny Ortega was tapped to shape over 100 hours of footage into the final version of This Is It, which is reported to act both as a concert film and a documentary. For Ortega, the task was an opportunity to pay tribute to a friend as well as honor the legacy of someone he considers to be one of the greatest performers of all time.

In the following video, Ortega discusses what it was like working with Jackson on the This Is It concert, and the opportunities presented to him when he was asked to turn that experience into a film:

Cancer Diagnosis Sidelines Webber’s “Phantom” Sequel?

Just weeks after releasing the first preview of his sequel to Phantom of the Opera, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber has announced that he’s been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The cancer is reported to be in early stages and Webber is expected to make a full recovery and be back to work by the end of the year.

What’s not currently known is how the diagnosis and treatments will affect the March, 2010 release of Phantom of the Opera: Love Never Dies, the sequel to the biggest theatrical musical of all time. Love Never Dies continues the story of the Phantom and his love, Christine, ten years later as the setting moves form a Paris opera house to New York’s Coney Island.

Sequels to musicals are always risky, and Love Never Dies may be the biggest gamble in theatrical history. First released in 1986, the original Phantom of the Opera’s numbers are astounding: thousands of performances across the world, over 80 million viewers, a 40-million-selling soundtrack, and total gross receipts topping an incredible $8 billion. The success of the sequel will undoubtedly require the presence and attention of Webber, who may not be able to provide the necessary attention as he undergoes treatment.

Besides the original Phantom, British-born Webber is also responsible for the blockbuster musicals Cats, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, and Sunset Boulevard.

For a look at the new Phantom, check out this video:

No Choke: Yankees Headed To The Series

The Los Angeles Angels came up with enough to move the American League Championship back to New York and put the New York Yankees at risk of blowing a three games to one lead in the best of seven series.

In front of a sell out crowd in the Yankees’ new stadium Sunday, playoff veteran Andy Pettitte ended the drama by shutting down the Angel’s bats and clinching the Yankees’ record 40th AL title.

The Championship Series celebration’s hangover will barely have faded, however, before the Yankees are back on the field to host the Philadelphia Phillies for the 2009 World Series, which begins on Wednesday.

Yankees ace C.C. Sabathia will face off against the Phillies’ Cliff Lee in a battle of former teammates (both are transplanted from the Cleveland Indians) and Cy Young Award winners (Lee won the award last year, Sabathia the year before).

In this video. ESPN breaks down the weaknesses of both teams that may determine who will be crowned champion:

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