Real Lyrics to Great Songs

The Phantom, played by Ramin Karimloo, right, performs a scene with Christine, played by Sierra Boggess, from the sequel to The Phantom of the Opera, "Love Never Dies" at the Adelphi Theatre in central London, Wednesday, March 3, 2010.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's latest musical extravaganza has received a mixed reception from London critics.

Some say "Love Never Dies" - a sequel to "Phantom of the Opera" set in a Coney island fun fair - is a thrilling ride. Others think it lacks "Phantom'"s menace - and its magic.

The Guardian newspaper said Wednesday the show has a seductive score but a lackluster story line. The Times agreed the plot was "dismally implausible."

But The Independent gave it a five-star review, and The Daily Telegraph says it was Lloyd Webber's finest show since the original "Phantom."

"Love Never Dies" is scheduled to open on Broadway in November, and in Australia next year.

The Phantom, played by Ramin Karimloo, performs a scene from the sequel to The Phantom of the Opera, "Love Never Dies" at the Adelphi Theatre in central London, Wednesday, March 3, 2010.

The Phantom, played by Ramin Karimloo, right, performs a scene with Christine, played by Sierra Boggess, from the sequel to The Phantom of the Opera, "Love Never Dies" at the Adelphi Theatre in central London, Wednesday, March 3, 2010.

The Phantom, played by Ramin Karimloo, right, performs a scene with Christine, played by Sierra Boggess, from the sequel to The Phantom of the Opera, "Love Never Dies" at the Adelphi Theatre in central London, Wednesday, March 3, 2010.

Christine, played by Sierra Boggess, centre, performs a scene from the sequel to The Phantom of the Opera, "Love Never Dies" at the Adelphi Theatre in central London, Wednesday, March 3, 2010.

British musical theatre composer Andrew Lloyd Webber arrives for the world premiere of his new musical 'Love Never Dies', at the Adelphi Theatre in London, Tuesday, March 9, 2010. The theater world was eagerly awaiting Tuesday's premiere in London of "Love Never Dies," the sequel to Lloyd Webber's global hit "Phantom of the Opera."

British musical theatre composer, Andrew Lloyd Webber, center, arrives with his family for the world premiere of his musical show 'Love Never Dies' at the Adelphi Theatre in London, Tuesday, March 9, 2010. The theater world was eagerly awaiting Tuesday's premiere in London of "Love Never Dies," the sequel to Lloyd Webber's global hit "Phantom of the Opera."

British musical theatre composer, Andrew Lloyd Webber, center, arrives with his family for the world premiere of his musical show 'Love Never Dies' at the Adelphi Theatre in London, Tuesday, March 9, 2010. The theater world was eagerly awaiting Tuesday's premiere in London of "Love Never Dies," the sequel to Lloyd Webber's global hit "Phantom of the Opera."

Marie Osmond told a Las Vegas Strip audience as she returned to the stage less than two weeks after her son's apparent suicide that she has relied on her spirituality to cope with his death

"Little did I know I would be relying on my faith, especially as much as I did this past week," Osmond said before dedicating a song to her 18-year-old son, Michael Bryan, whom she called "my angel."

Wrapped in a robe with white feathers that resembled an angel's wings, Osmond genuflected and reached out her right hand as she sang the song amid a starry backdrop.

"How she got through that I will never know," her brother Donny Osmond said after his sister's solo performance.

"I hope you all appreciate what she's going through tonight," he said. "She's a strong woman."

The Osmonds' teary return to the Flamingo Las Vegas on Tuesday night came one day after funeral services for Bryan in Provo, Utah.

Donny Osmond described his sister as strong for simply showing up.

"I just think that we need to give a big round of applause to my sister for even coming onstage tonight," Donny Osmond said after the siblings' opening number.

"Don't do that - I'm going to have to leave," Marie Osmond quipped as the crowd roared in support.

"God bless you all," she said. "The way Osmonds survive is we keep singing and that's what we want to do tonight. I know my son would want that."

The Donny & Marie show resumed before an eager audience that was overwhelmingly supportive of Marie's songs and jokes, as well as a dance-off against her brother, last season's winner of "Dancing With the Stars."

Their sibling banter wasn't spared as they ribbed one another - and themselves - throughout the show about their ages, voices and fitness.

"Thank you, papers, for putting in that I'm 50," Marie Osmond said. "The female F-word - '50.'"

Marie Osmond said her 7-year-old daughter told her that she needed to laugh Tuesday night, so she told her a joke.

"Why was the sand wet," the mother recalled. "Because the sea weed."

Police in Los Angeles have said Bryan died Feb. 26 of an apparent suicide after jumping from the eighth floor of an apartment building. Autopsy and toxicology results are pending.

Police said Bryan left a note but they have not provided details about its contents.

Bryan previously used his adoptive father's last name, Blosil, but Utah court records show his name was legally changed.

At the end of the Osmonds' sentimental return, Marie Osmond cried as she struggled to sing her last line.

"May God keep you in his tender care," Donny Osmond sang, before telling his sister: "You don't have to sing this part."

"'Til he brings us together again," she sang.

Authorities in Arizona say rapper DMX has been arrested for allegedly violating his probation by using drugs.

DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, had served about half of his 18-month supervised probation when he was booked Tuesday night into the downtown Phoenix jail. The rapper was released from jail in May after serving a 90-day sentence for felony convictions including cruelty to animals, theft and two drug counts.

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio says his deputies have arrested Simmons five times now, including an August 2007 raid on the rapper's north Phoenix home where they found 12 neglected dogs, three buried dogs, drugs and a cache of weapons.

Simmons pleaded guilty in late December to cruelty to animals, theft and two drug counts. In 2008, Simmons was arrested for speeding on a Phoenix freeway and allegedly going to a Scottsdale clinic and giving a false name to receive care with the intent of not paying.

iTunes' top 10 selling singles and albums of the week ending March 8, 2010:

Singles:

1. "Break Your Heart (feat. Ludacris)," Taio Cruz

2. "Rude Boy," Rihanna

3. "Imma Be," Black Eyed Peas

4. "Hey, Soul Sister," Train

5. "Need You Now," Lady Antebellum

6. "BedRock," Young Money, Lloyd

7. "Blah Blah Blah (feat. 3OH!3)," Ke$ha

8. "In My Head," Jason Derulo

9. "Baby (feat. Ludacris)," Justin Bieber

10. "Never Let You Go," Justin Bieber

Albums:

1. "Almost Alice," Various Artists

2. "Smoke & Mirrors," Lifehouse

3. "My Best Days," Danny Gokey

4. "Jason Derulo," Jason Derulo

5. "Need You Now," Lady Antebellum

6. "Easton Corbin," Easton Corbin

7. "The Fame Monster (standard)," Lady GaGa

8. "Soldier of Love," Sade

9. "Boston's Boy," Sam Adams

10. "The E.N.D. (The Energy Never Dies)," Black Eyed Peas

Eight music acts are suing the former president of Birmingham's City Stages festival for payment for performances during the 2009 event.

A lawsuit filed in Jefferson County Circuit Court says acts such as the Doobie Brothers, the Neville Brothers and the Indigo Girls received bad checks from the Birmingham Cultural & Heritage Foundation, City Stages' parent company, after their performances at the festival in June.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs say $167,800 is involved. The lawsuit says all the checks were signed by former president George McMillan and all bounced at Birmingham's Renasant Bank.

McMillan denied any wrongdoing in his answer to the complaint, filed in the circuit court.