Frank Wildhorn and Friends- In Concert

Wildhorn is best known as the "pop" composer who brought three shows to Broadway simultaneously with Jekyll & Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel and Civil War. But Wildhorn is a "compulsive composer" in that he can't seem to stop writing music, much to the delight of himself and others, including many of the talented people that he has worked with.

Though some view Wildhorn's work as too "pop" oriented, too bombastic, these opinions hardly affect his passion to write music for theater. With a brand new musical Waiting For The Moon developed within months of the gothic musical Dracula which debuted on Broadway, Wildhorn is churning out enough melodies to keep his lyricists working.

Some amazingly talented people have joined team Wildhorn at one point or another, such as Douglas Sills, Terrence Mann, Christine Andreas, Mark Kudisch, Rachael York and William Michals. All landed principle roles in his romantic, swashbuckling musical Scarlet Pimpernel. Joining forces of talent in Wildhorn's first Broadway musical Jekyll & Hyde were his beautiful ex-wife Linda Eder, who has truly found her way on stages across the country as one of the most powerful voices in concert these days. Also a part of that production was the lovely and talented Christiane Noll, who's calendar is always filled with concerts and delightful stage roles. Both Robert Cuccioli & Robert Evan gained much popularity and exposure and theatrical projects thanks to their composer friend Wildhorn. Evan now tours with the concert version of Jekyll and Hyde, which has taken on a life of its own. The multi talented Tom Hewitt as well as the popular star of Beauty and the Beast Chuck Wagner both starred in a Wildhorn musicals Dracula and Jekyll and Hyde respectively as well.

Frank Wildhorn and Friends is an intimate concert that highlights selected songs from his many works. Choosing as Frank puts it "some of the finest voices in the industry" Mr. Wildhorn once again makes his return to simply play the piano as his talented friends take the stage. He has chosen Robert Evan, deemed "the best singing Jekyll" according to Frank. Joining Rob is his Jekyll co-star, former Miss America, Kate Shindle. From Civil War, baritone Michael Lanning and a borrowed Hairspray favorite Tracy Miller to complete the quartet.

The show opens with Rob Evan's "Into the Fire" from Scarlet Pimpernel which includes everyone joining in. This is followed by a solemn "Please Don't Make Me Love You" and "I Was Born To Love You" both from Dracula. Tracy Miller's sings a sexy "Woman in His Arms" from Wildhorn's Camille Claudell which premiered in Conn. In his softest, deepest voice Michael Lanning delivers "Where's the Girl" from Scarlet Pimpernel and "Northbound Train" from Civil War.

Between songs Frank entertains the audience with short stories about his songs and their beginings. He recalls getting a call to write a song for Whitney Houston which was collaborated with Chuck Jackson, Jesse Jackson's brother and thus was the birth of "Where Do Broken Hearts Go" which Tracy Miller belts out beautifully along with the show's trio as backup.

Of course a Wildhorn concert would not be complete without "This Is The Moment" sung by the best voice for this number, Rob Evan, who jokingly refers to it as "This is my mortgage". Moment was originally cut from Jekyll and Hyde as a song that had no future, as Frank shares with the audience.

Wildhorn wisely gives Evan two more wonderful songs for this evening's show. A first time ever rendition of "Bring Me Giants" from Cyrano, another new musical that is in the making and "I've Got Things to Say" from Waiting For the Moon, both songs shake the rafters of Lenape PAC much to the delight of the audience.

Frank then recalls a special day when Julie Andrews calls him, to his disbelief at first, to ask him to write a song for her. He graciously accepted of course and asked a special favor. His oldest son Justin presently 19, who was a young boy at the time, loved Mary Poppins. Wildhorn put in a request that when they meet could he bring his young son and would Ms. Andrews become Mary Poppins for about 20 min. for him. She also graciously accepts. Frank proceeded to write "Living in the Shadows" which became part of Victor/Victoria on Broadway.

The evening had it's share of rousing numbers from the group including a lively version of "Havana" taken from yet another musical with the same title as well as a finale song from Civil War called "Glory".

Frank Wildhorn and Friends is a mix of wonderful songs sung by glorious voices as well as an intimate evening with a few talented friends.

The song list as it was presented includes:

Into The Fire, Please Don't Make Me Love You, Where's The Girl, Woman In His Arms, This is the Moment, In His Eyes, I've Got Things To Say, Remember, Song & Dance,Bring Me Giants, Living In The Shadows Where Do Broken Hearts Go, Havana, Northbound Train, If I Should Lose My Way, Sarah, Freedom's Child, Even Now, Big Time, Ordinary Man, I Was Born ToLove You, Home Again, Glory, Encore: Anything Can Happen.

Frank Wildhorn and Friends was presented at the Lenape Regional Performing Arts Center, Marlton NJ on Sept. 23 & 24^th. www.sjtheater.com

 

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