New and Classic Frank Wildhorn

[mitchern]

Posted: 4/4/25 at 11:43am

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Exclusive-Listen-to-49-Speed-of-Sound-From-YOUR-LIE-IN-APRIL-Cast-Album-20250403

Has he written anything recently that's up to the level of his earlier work? 

 

[bwaylyric]

Posted: 4/4/25 at 4:32pm

Whatever became of his The Song of Bernadette?  Did it ever premiere in Wisconsin?

[carolinaguy]

Posted: 4/4/25 at 4:46pm

I'm going to be honest and say I don't believe "the level of his earlier work" would be a high bar to hit when you're talking about stage material.

In general, I think many of the songs he wrote for Linda Eder's solo albums in the 1990s are leagues better than anything he wrote for the stage. One of her recordings had a few songs from a proposed musical called Havana, which doesn't seem to have ever materialized. But those songs were superior to just about anything that did get to Broadway.

[Zeppie2022]

Posted: 4/4/25 at 7:20pm

"In general, I think many of the songs he wrote for Linda Eder's solo albums in the 1990s are leagues better than anything he wrote for the stage"

Loved early albums like "It's Time" and "It's No Secret Anymore". Wonderful songs like "Even Now", "Its Time" and "Vienna" are superior to almost everything he wrote for the stage. I will say I did enjoy a few songs from "Bonny & Clyde" like "Raise A Little Hell" and "This World Will Remember Me".

[ChairinMain]

Posted: 4/4/25 at 7:48pm

mitchern said: "https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Exclusive-Listen-to-49-Speed-of-Sound-From-YOUR-LIE-IN-APRIL-Cast-Album-20250403

Has he written anything recently that's up to the level of his earlier work?

 

Are we saying up to the level of "This is the Moment" and "Someone like you" or up to the level of the rest of Jekyll and Hyde?

[James885]

Posted: 4/4/25 at 7:54pm

I'm a fan of Wildhorn's scores for Scarlet Pimpernel and Bonnie & Clyde. As far as recent-ish stuff, I loved his score for Death Note. 

Updated On: 4/4/25 at 07:54 PM

[GottaGetAGimmick420]

Posted: 1/5/26 at 12:40pm

From this article today (https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Interview-Frank-Wildhorn-on-His-Global-Career-Music-Like-Love-Knows-No-Borders-20260105):

What would you say that you’re most looking forward to audiences hearing of yours in 2026?

You’re going to hear some amazing, huge news soon about Death Note. But Death Note to the next extreme is something I’m really excited about. Last week, Death Note was playing in Tokyo, it's still playing, Seoul, and we did the symphonic version in Taiwan with a 70-piece orchestra that Jason Howland arranged and conducted. And now, I see Death Note as this total international, breaking the glass ceiling of what manga can be musically, around the world. 

[James885]

Posted: 1/5/26 at 1:21pm

Would love to hear the symphonic version of Death Note! It’s one of his best scores IMO.

I said this in another to thread, but I think it’s great that he’s carving out a niche for himself with these manga musical adaptations. Manga has been largely untouched by mainstream western theater creatives but it’s such a booming medium in western culture - especially among Gen Z - that it’s only a matter of time. 

Updated On: 1/5/26 at 01:21 PM

[GottaGetAGimmick420]

Posted: 2/26/26 at 11:41am

Death Note official this summer for 6 weeks at the Barbican 

https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/New-Production-of-DEATH-NOTE-THE-MUSICAL-Will-Premiere-at-the-Barbican-Theatre-20260226