Review: Frank Wildhorn and a Trio of Broadway Singers Join BYU for World-Class Entertainment

Tony-nominated composer Frank Wildhorn joined three Broadway vocalists for a night of music at Brigham Young University billed as a celebration of his popular musicals, including THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL, JEKYLL & HYDE, and more. It was a full evening of moving entertainment.

The concert, entitled THIS IS THE MOMENT: THE MUSICALS OF FRANK WILDHORN, was presented in BYU's de Jong Concert Hall as part of its BRAVO! professional performing arts series on Friday, October 30, 2015.

The list of performers included Jackie Burns, who played Elphaba in WICKED on Broadway and was the standby for Idina Menzel in IF/THEN; Norm Lewis, who played Javert in the televised 25th anniversary concert of LES MISERABLES and has starred on Broadway in such varied shows as THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS, SIDE SHOW, and THE LITTLE MERMAID; and Adrienne Warren who starred in BRING IT ON THE MUSICAL and will return to Broadway in SHUFFLE ALONG. They were accompanied by the BYU Symphony Orchestra, directed by Christian Smith, and a BYU musical theatre chorus, directed by Gayle Lockwood, with Wildhorn himself at the piano.

The performances were absolutely sensational, with world-class vocals and acting displayed throughout the evening. To hear so much beautiful music performed so spectacularly, with a full 90-piece orchestra accompaniment and introductions by the composer himself, was a real treat.

Norm Lewis' signature rich tones perfectly complimented "Sarah" from THE CIVIL WAR," "On the Steps of Tomorrow" from RUDOLF, and more.

Jackie Burns gave passionate renditions of "A New Life" from JEKYLL & HYDE and "Gold" from CAMILLE CLAUDEL, among others.

Adrienne Warren gave many stirring performances, but her "When I Look at You" from THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL-- both technically and emotionally captivating--was the high point of the concert.

Her performance of Whitney Houston's hit "Where Do Broken Hearts Go?" was great, but it felt out of place in a concert designed to celebrate the songs of Wildhorn's popular musicals. Other elements of the set list--much of it a repeat of BYU's 2013 FRANK WILDHORN AND FRIENDS concert--felt similarly out of place, with the selections largely focused on Wildhorn's lesser-known titles, rather than on his Broadway hits. While Utah audiences often hear their favorite Wildhorn songs performed by local talent, they rarely, if ever, have the chance to hear them sung with Broadway power and finesse. It was disappointing to see that two of his greatest songs (among the greatest in the musical theatre songbook, period)-- "She Was There" from THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL and "In His Eyes" from JEKYLL & HYDE--were listed in the program but not performed.

Of note, Wildhorn's new musical THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO, which premiered to great acclaim at BYU earlier this year and will receive it's U.S. professional premiere next year at Pioneer Theatre Company, received an enjoyable four-song set.

Throughout the course of the evening, Wildhorn hinted at possible future collaborations with BYU. Any such potential continuation of their partnership would be welcome news--not only for the real-world experiences it provides BYU students, but for the gifts it offers the Utah arts community. Hopefully these types of collaborations will continue, as they are truly special.

For more information about future BRAVO! performances at BYU, and to buy tickets, visit arts.byu.edu.

Photo Credit: L-R Frank Wildhorn, Norm Lewis, Jackie Burns, and Adrienne Warren

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