The Count Of Monte Cristo concept CD

When I was in London on Thursday I picked up the new Frank Wildhorn "Count Of Monte Cristo" CD at Dress Circle. (I have to admit a guilty pleasure - despite the fact that his musicals can be somewhat "over-the-top", I really like Wildhorn's music in general.) The recording is something of a mixed bag. Some tracks are lackluster and boring but there are a few real gems. (I love "When The World Was Mine", "Pretty Lies", "All This Time" and "The Man I Used To Be".) Thomas Borchert sounds great, Pia Douwes is delightful and Brandi Burkhadt is awesome! (Burkhadt is reminiscent at times of Linda Eder, who for my money has some of the best vocal "chops" around.)

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Updated On: 3/15/09 at 07:55 AM

It's certainly better than "Dracula"! But not as good as "Jekyll" or "Scarlet Pimpernel". I'd really love to hear the full score of "Waiting For The Moon" - apart from wanting to hear Wildhorn's "Jazz Age" music, Scott Fitzgerald is my all time favourite novelist.

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Dunno, but Wildhorn in London?

DO NOT WANT.

No, Don Black is not involved with this show (he co-wrote Dracula with Wildhorn). The Book & Lyrics are by Jack Murphy (a VERY under-rated lyricist - his work on The Civil War, for example, is outstanding).

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The Don Black connection is in respect of a different musical version of "The Count Of Monte Cristo", as written by Michel Legrand. But there is no concept CD of that, unfortunately. And there is still no news as to when, or if, it will get staged. It is still theoretically on the anticipated list, but it was purportedly finished before Marguerite, so that that was given precedence in better times doesn't make one think it's chances are too hopeful now. But at least one song from it was premiered at a Don black birthday celebratory concert last year. So it hasn't necessarily actually been shelved permanently and still probably has more chance than the Wildhorn one. Rather like to see both myself, albeit not together (lol)!

Updated On: 3/16/09 at 08:13 AM

I've not heard anything from Wildhorn's Carmen. Is there a recording available?

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His most anticipated musical, Jekyl And Hyde' failed miserably on tour in the UK and it's West End dates pulled very early into the tour.