Frank Wildhorn's The Civil War- Page 2

[philly03]

Posted: 9/28/08 at 5:56pm

"Not gonna lie. I'm a total Frank Wildhorn junkie. I'm listening to the Broadway cast recording of Jekyll & Hyde as I write this.

That said, I like the music of The Civil War and I agree with Philly that the songs work better in concert form. "

Total agreement with everything you said right up to the Broadway cast recording of Jekyll part!

And he for the record, Weez! And yes, Brandi Burkhardt and Frank Wildhorn have been engaged since sometime at the end of 2006/2007? She was seen in the world premiere of 'Rudolph' (The Last Kiss) in Germany/over there about a year or two ago, and of course he wrote the song "If You Only Knew" for Jekyll & HYDE Ressurection Concert Tour/pre-movie thing for her specifically!

[BroomstickBoy]

Posted: 9/28/08 at 6:11pm

I like some songs in this score, "How Many Devils" is a gem, however I can't stand the way Frank Wildhorn composes.

I was in a production of this, using the version from the tour, and I realized this man hates men.

He composes too low for women and insanely high for men!

Bass and baritone parts hardly exist. Um, yeah, equal opportunity for all. NOT.

[Weez]

Posted: 9/28/08 at 6:14pm

He does have at least two super-deep songs in 'The Civil War'. And as a woman, even a soprano, I don't mind where the female songs are pitched.

I have a theory that if Andrew Lloyd Webber didn't exist, Wildhorn would be a LOT more popular. Now THERE'S a composer who hates singers. ;D

[blondebaby589]

Posted: 9/29/08 at 10:09am

The way I feel about The Civil War is how I feel about Elegies and Songs for a New World. The songs by themselves are great for the most part. But the attempt to tie them together as a production falls flat.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 9/29/08 at 10:55am

I never understood the rather passionate hatred for Wildhorn. I assume it's one of those trendy attitudes like saying Cats or Rent is crap where people agree with anything that sounds like it makes them cool. It seems rather silly to me, but whatever makes one happy (or unhappy), I suppose. I don't love everything he's written, but I can admit the man has written some wonderful music including a couple of the most recent iconic hits Broadway has seen in the last two decades. What a hack!

I attended the world premiere of Civil War at the Alley Theatre and left at intermission. The show does have a number of nice songs, but the show itself was a train wreck. The staging and costumes were an incoherent mess and there was almost nothing in the show that specfically related to the Civil War. I think the title tried to pull everything together conceptually, but there was virtually nothing in the lyrics, costumes or scenery (other than some distorted fleeting projections) that gave any insight, education or enlightenment on this rather unique period in American history. From what I saw of the Broadway production, it looked like they did a slightly better job in costumes and staging, but without major lyric changes or the addition of a book, the show was doomed.

I have had the pleasure of listening to the demo for Carmen and while it needs work, of course, I'm pretty excited about this one. Wildhorn's most exciting and intriguing score in years. I can't stop listening to Walk Like a Woman and I'm Every Woman. Cheryl Freeman's vocals are passionate and thrilling. I really miss her. She's been away from Broadway far too long.

[philly03]

Posted: 9/29/08 at 4:45pm

"I never understood the rather passionate hatred for Wildhorn. I assume it's one of those trendy attitudes like saying Cats or Rent is crap where people agree with anything that sounds like it makes them cool."

LOL Nicely put. To me, it either seems like you total love the guy or you hate him. There's several reasons for the hate from my understanding (I love Frank's stuff, no thanks to Linda Eder, Brandi Burkhardt, Douglas Sills, Coleen Sexton and the huge number of extra-talented people he somehow pulls together just about all the time). One, the most recent reason, was when he found out that "Dracula, the musical" was bound to flop, and he decided to ask a different cast, leading with James Barbour (I believe it was Raul Esparza before, but don't quote me on that!) in the title role, with Kate Shindle/others in the cast, with NO ONE from the Broadway cast. That of course was recorded, but never released. Frank also has some weird "thoughts" about Broadway. He strongly discourages the use of the word "Broadway" when talking about theatre, and rather says it should all be called "Theatre," so that it's universal and "not a series of blocks in NYC." Some find him cocky too, especially when he WOULD NOT let you forget up to when The Scarlet Pimpernel (up to SP3!) that HE had THREE shows running SIMULTANEOUSLY on BROADWAY. It was a feat, something I can't say I wouldn't be proud of either. Lastly, I'm sure it's out of "success"-type story. He's had moderate success (including a #1 Hit [for Whitney Houston]) on the Pop charts as well!

"He composes too low for women and insanely high for men!"
Interesting you should say that! Apparently, his new "front-man" is James Barbour, and we all already know that his new leading lady is Brandi, which clearly you'd think have to make do the exact opposite of that!

And it's interesting what Mister Matt wrote about the demo(s). Frank has some awesome stuff that deserves to be on stage, but as we've seen with all of his shows, it's about half-awesome and half-awful...it's like that with most of the demos to my knowledge too. Cyrano has some beautiful moments that could work right away, and then too much that needs work/rework. Of course, there usually the first run-throughs, but if he could merge all of his awesome songs into one show, it'd be a totally great I'm sure. He just has sooooo many topics he wants to write on clearly, and people ask him and then ___ __ __ all the projects get a huge mixture of songs.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 9/29/08 at 5:05pm

"Total agreement with everything you said right up to the Broadway cast recording of Jekyll part!"

Cuz you don't like the Broadway cast recording, right?

I've seen vids of him in interviews and he comes across as really cocky and obnoxious and arrogant.

Por ejemplo:

http://www.broadway.com/gen/general.aspx?ci=569552

I mean, just listen to him. He's like deadset on reminding people which people involved with the show have some kind of affiliation with him. Of course, he somehow forgets about Raymond Jaramillo MacLeod who was the original Simon Stride on Broadway.

[philly03]

Posted: 9/29/08 at 5:17pm

LOL No I LOVE the Broadway cast of Jekyll & HYDE. I meant like I agree to every detail?

And he is a bit obnixous but you kind of have to be in this business, or so most of the successful have. And McLeod/Wildhorn probably didn't ever really connect...if you recall, most of the Broadway Jekyll & HYDE was done by ROBIN PHILLIPS, the director/scenic director, who apparently spent months with Eder, weeks with just abotu all of the Jekyll's (not Jack Wagner I don't believe), and just lots of time working hte show with the actors, as are just abotu all professional productions of Jekyll. It's up to the director to kind of do it ... which is why most think it's always a work in progress. Frank just kind of has to OK it/add his own insight.

Thanks for sending the link to that video! For some reason I missed that one! And I'm sure everyone wonders how he gets to like every opening night (LEGALLY BLONDE ?? THE LITTLE MERMAID??)...I may be wrong but I doubt lots of composers would attend opening nights of shows that aren't their own? And I just love how he takes credit for Brandi like that! And I still love how he always claims DRACULA, the musical Concept Album will be released "upcoming"! When Frank!?? When?!

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 9/29/08 at 5:50pm

Again, I think it would be better for him to leave that Dracula on the shelf. Everyone who wants to hear it already has a copy, and it isn't a very good representation of the stage show so it wouldn't aid in getting the show produced regionally.
Updated On: 9/29/08 at 05:50 PM

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 9/29/08 at 9:18pm

I believe Ford's Theatre in DC is doing a production of this during this season when it reopens.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 10/4/08 at 11:51am

"Again, I think it would be better for him to leave that Dracula on the shelf. Everyone who wants to hear it already has a copy, and it isn't a very good representation of the stage show so it wouldn't aid in getting the show produced regionally."

And the show has sort of changed since the concept album. A Perfect Life and Loving You Keeps Me Alive have been combined with a reprise of Whitby Bay into one song.

I thought Rudolf: The Last Kiss premiered in Hungary.