He’s so popular in Japan, Jekyll and Hyde has been running for 21 years over there. He’s now written three musicals based on manga that are coming west; Death Note, Your Lie in April, and Fist of the North Star. Coming to Broadway very soon!!
The problem with Wildhorn musicals is that if you don't have voices like Linda Eder's, the show falls flat.
The book is usually.... Lacking.
The lyrics are campy, but questionable.
The voice has to be spectacular enough to make up for all of it.
And Eder's is.
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/21/20
I'm just wondering if there's been any effort into adapting the anime film Belle from 2021 to the stage. It's literally a musical, so you'd think it'd be a natural fit, unless the issue is finding ways to distinguish between the real world and the social media world on stage.
Adam Pascal played Ryuk in Death Note in a staged concert in London last year. The show got great reviews, the music all sounds like classic Frank Wildhorn with epic rock tunes and power ballads galore. I’m so happy for him, it seems like this source material is a perfect fit for him. I think these shows will be on Broadway sooner than we think.
Broadway Star Joined: 7/12/22
Would love for one of his musicals on Broadway to actually be a hit.
I saw “Your Lie in April” tonight. I couldn’t have hated it anymore than I did. My problem with Wildhorn shows is usually never Wildhorn’s music but everything else and this was no different. The book and lyrics (lyrics especially) seemed to be written by a 7th grader doing an assignment for their theater class at summer camp . In the audience I was clearly in the minority because the amount of sobbing all around me bordered on eye-rolling and “Look at me I’m CRYING”. And I’m a sap - I’ll cry at anything but I just wanted to get out of there.
I enjoyed “Death Note” enough to go and read more about it and watch the stuff on Netflix but this, and trust me I’m familiar with his shows, was (again, to ME) the worst musical he’s ever worked on.
Do you mean Death Note? Frank Wildhorn said it’s soon getting a full production in London and soon followed by Your Lie in April, so I don’t even think they’re considering this a full production, but a tryout. And he said they will go to ny afterwards. And he also said Your Lie in April was the most popular one, but I think he’s probably talking about Japanese audiences
Leading Actor Joined: 12/9/23
I caught this yesterday while in town and loved it. But of course I've watched the original anime. I think these are two of Frank's best scores.
Yes, “Death Note” (edited my response above).
This production of “Your Lie” is a full production. Fully staged, it’s not a concert.
During rehearsals for Your Lie in April, “I would bet the house that death note will be here very soon as a full production and followed closely by this one, no question, and then coming to New York.” Frank Wildhorn. It doesn’t sound like they think it’s a full production.
Chorus Member Joined: 2/12/20
"Your Lie in April" received a concert production in the spring. The new west end run is indeed a full production.
I also echo the above sentiments that it was rather dreadful. I hated it - forgettable music, absurd book. That said, I was impressed with Mia Kobayashi in her professional debut. She is clearly going places, hopefully among them better musicals.
He made it seem like Death Note was the first one and I think it will be the first one coming to ny.
Broadway Star Joined: 7/12/22
"I saw “Your Lie in April” tonight. I couldn’t have hated it anymore than I did. My problem with Wildhorn shows is usually never Wildhorn’s music but everything else and this was no different. The book and lyrics (lyrics especially) seemed to be written by a 7th grader doing an assignment for their theater class at summer camp"
Very sad to read your thoughts on this show Jordan. Just curious, how did you like "Bonny & Clyde"?
I’ve seen it as well. It’s bad bad. Anybody who thinks this is/hopes this will go to Broadway…well I clearly won’t convince you. It’s Reddit musical fan hell.
Well maybe they’ll keep working on it, didn’t it just begin anyway? this is not the first one coming to New York, Death Note is which got good reviews. It sounds like Sondheim and eurovision and Matilda and Anastasia
It is actually none of that. Hope that helps!
(And why would anyone want to compare themselves to Anastasia)
I’m talking about DEATH NOTE sounding like those things which it certainly does. I have no idea about April, I haven’t heard any of the music but the concept album of Death Note is fabulous
Saw "Your Lie In April" last week. If you liked "The Notebook", you'll love this one. Rom-com heaven. Reminded me of Gatsby. Every song is belted to the nth degree. But unfortunately, there's no Linda Eder in the cast. Trite and sappy. Ugh.
“Reminded me of Gatsby” is the opposite of a selling point.
OMG that first song reminds me of Pasek and Paul’s A Million Dreams from the Greatest Showman. Does Frank Wildhorn have a case of Lloyd Webber syndrome?? Even Death Note reminds me of so many other songs
BroadwayNYC2 said: "“Reminded me of Gatsby” is the opposite of a selling point."
Yeah…that’s why I mentioned Gatsby.
but what do I know …. I hated Oh Mary and the new drag Cats.
Closing early, so sad! August 11th final performance. I wonder what this means for Broadway
It was easily the shoddiest show of my West End trip. They couldn’t sell tickets to save their life - even though I bought in advance, I was getting TodayTix notifications that all seats for the Sunday matinee were going down as low as £18 in the stalls.
It seemed like an interesting concept on paper, but it ultimately was a massive misfire for me. None of this was the fault of the performers, who did the best with very, very bad materials (and the leading actress was performing for the first time as an emergency cover). Ultimately, while the score was well-orchestrated and the set design was nice to look at, the book and lyrics were basically the skeleton of a YA novel with a bookish male lead, a manic pixie dream girl, and more plot holes than actual plot. There was absolutely nothing there that moved me and I even audibly groaned at some EXTREMELY hacky lines.
This one is going in the bin unless they decide to revisit it.
It means nothing because it was never happening.
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