loved the Pre-Broadway tour, but he has such a tendency to over re-write his **** and it just murders some beautiful thing.
I don't know about his other works, but the changes made for the Broadway production of J&H weren't Wildhorn's idea. Nor I think for Pimpernel (which I thought was best in its first version). I don't know the story behind the Dracula and Wonderland changes. I saw the tryout of Civil War and left at intermission, but I heard the Broadway production was actually an improvement.
Wildhorn's tunes are elementary and maudlin, but I certainly don't blame them for the mind-numbing stupidity of all his shows - that blame falls to his awful lyricists/librettists. Jekyll & Hyde is just a stupid show, with bad, anything-for-a-rhyme lyrics and a laughable approach to a classic story, that aims to be sexy, scary, and hip, and falls far, far short of hitting any of those marks.
The conceit of Jekyll transforming to Hyde by throwing his hair in his face only causes one to worry that he'll develop whiplash, particularly in the unintentionally camp duet he sings with himself, a number that resembles nothing so much as a skit from Second City TV.
The creation of a 19th century bi-sexual brothel cum cabaret room where the Eder character plies her trade (alongside a bevy of Chelsea boys) must have been inspired by a weekend spent with a bag of particularly poor quality cocaine. Again, what the writers thought was sexy just provokes giggles from those who keep their brains turned on during a show, rather than lapsing into an all-accepting half-sleep.
Some of the awful lyrics have already been quoted; I'm sure pages and pages of this thread could be filled with more examples.
The "Eder character" (Lucy) is supposed to be the bad girl to Emma, Jekyll's fiance.
There have been much better productions of Jekyll around the world (and plenty that were worse). The show is in the hands of the director. It's perhaps my favourite musical, but I know that it's flawed and I'm fine with it. I do agree though - the Jekyll/Hyde transformations need to be more, well "realistic" and not laughable.
Please god cut or re-stage the dancing with umbrellas number.
Broadway Star Joined: 6/5/03
My favorite quote for the Broadway production was "Well sung junk" from Brantley.
I'll stick with well hung junk, thank you very much.
The conceit of Jekyll transforming to Hyde by throwing his hair in his face only causes one to worry that he'll develop whiplash, particularly in the unintentionally camp duet he sings with himself, a number that resembles nothing so much as a skit from Second City TV.
The creation of a 19th century bi-sexual brothel cum cabaret room where the Eder character plies her trade (alongside a bevy of Chelsea boys) must have been inspired by a weekend spent with a bag of particularly poor quality cocaine.
That has to do with the terrible Broadway staging, not the writing. As for the songs, I love the following:
I Need to Know
Facade
Board of Governors
Bring on the Men
This is the Moment
Alive
His Work and Nothing More
Sympathy, Tenderness
Someone Like You
In His Eyes
The Girls of the Night
Once Upon a Dream
A New Life
Confrontation
I don't believe all the songs are elementary and maudlin. I actually find the mournful simplicity of Sympathy, Tenderness to be quite mature. And while I get that purists are not fans of pop power ballads, there is actually a lot more than that in the score once you get past the bias of the composer's name.
But, ok. I guess I feel the way about Lippa most people feel about Wildhorn. I just think Wildhorn has written a MUCH greater number of memorable tunes. To me, Lippa is far more generic in style and completely forgettable.
Understudy Joined: 9/13/11
"The Girls of the Night" is my favourite song not included in the Broadway production. I think if staged right, it could be a really wonderful moment.
Oh dear God. Can you imagine? J&H back on the boards? Say what you will, but it DID recoup and it created the career of Linda Eder (for what it currently is, I suppose). If they can find a Lucy who can sing the role as it should be, then I'm all for the new production.
So far, NO ONE has even come close to Eder's version of any of those songs. I admit she can't act her way out of a paper bag, but when she's singing, it's simply stunning. I still think GLEEKS need to all watch Eder's version of 'Rain/Parade' to see just how it should be sung. Incredible.
BN
I would absolutely LOVE Kate Shindle to play Lucy!
Here is my dream cast
Jekyll/Hyde: Hugh Jackman (if not, I think Raul Esparza could kill it)
Lucy: Kate Shindle, Teal Wicks
Emma: Sierra Boggess
They want an A-lister like a Hugh Jackman, or a Sebastian Bach or David Hasselhoff back in the day who will draw a crowd from what I have heard. Also, Sierra Boggess would never play Emma with the career she has now!
Also Linda independently had some "fame" and much outside of the show (ie: Rosie O'Donnell's TV show she was on several times, with Rosie often playing a clip of Linda's "Vienna").
I'm also with Mister Matt - I never got the whole Andrew Lippa love especially on here, and The Addams Family made him into a "Frank Wildhorn" to other people on the board (I can't even believe anyone could defend such a childish, unmemorable, boring score!).
Chorus Member Joined: 12/20/10
Great story, outstanding music, now all they need is a tremendous cast! I hope they surprise us.
And yes, "Bring On the Men" please!
I said in another thread that the concept album is one of my favorites Broadway albums of all time. I can't wait to hear it live.
Say what you will, "Facade" has sat a while on my list of favorite musical songs...
And I am hoping for Girls of the Night; that was in the 2002 Cologne production, so beautiful, and I fell in love with it. Pity it is often missing!
One of my all time favorites. I am glad this show is returning!
Chorus Member Joined: 12/20/10
So when is the tour supposed to hit the road? Anyone have an idea on the time frame?
Would Hugh Jackman tour? Isn't he too big for that?
I'm full of questions...
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/10/08
Ha, like Hugh Jackman would ever take a role in a revival of Frank Wildhorn's Jekyll and Hyde.
He starred in a revival of Oklahoma in London and Boy From Oz, which probably would have flopped without a celebrity name in the lead. Regardless, I doubt he's nothing more than a buzz name to generate interest in a revival. The producers would need VERY deep pockets to be able to afford him.
I love the show but please cut Moider Moider
Bring back Bring On The Men As Well
I ended up seeing this in a class on video. It was with David Hasselhoff. It was awful.
Videos