Wildhorn's

[philly03]

The new musical "Death Note" by Frank Wildhorn, Jack Murphy and Ivan Menchell has released a promotional recording of the song "Playing His Game" featuring Jeremy Jordan and Jarrod Spector. The new musical, based on the popular comic book series, has a scheduled world premiere in Tokyo for April 2015. The musical will also premiere in Korea in July 2015.


Death Note demo

[Up In One]

The source material has a pretty loyal/fanatical following among 20 somethings and younger it will be interesting to see if the title translates into something Broadway marketable. Could become a Wildhorn proof title.

[Fantod]

Have you seen the original Japanese series or read the novels? I couldn't think of worse source material for musical adaptation.

However, I will see it if they include my favorite line: "I'll take a potato chip... AND EAT IT!!!!!!!!!!!"

[Smeds2]

I am one of the loyal/fanatical following. Not much of an anime person but I adore Death Note; have done for a while. I never imagined it being able to translate well to the stage though, and unfortunately I've never been a fan of Wildhorn's music.
Its a very psychological show, not like most other animes filled with violence; this one does have violence but its not its prime focus. Its focus is the cat-and-mouse plotting between the two rivals Light and L. Light has a notebook that can kill by writing a person's name in it, and L is considered to be the most masterful detective in the world. They end up forming a strange bond as they get closer to one another, even as L begins to suspect Light as being the murderer more and more. Fascinating stuff psychologically, but I wish it could have been done with more subtlety than what Wildhorn is likely to bring to the table.

[RippedMan]

WIldhorn is my guilty pleasure, and I love that song.

[philly03]

I know nothing of the source material (Jack Murphy writing the lyrics seems like an odd choice for this one), but I also really like the song.

[Fantod]

It's about a guy who finds a "magic" notebook on the ground one day in which you can write anybody's name and they will die. Instead of burning it up and leaving it alone, he decides to start killing murderers in this world. There's also this crazy genius named L who is working with the police to find the guy that appears to be magically killing people, who they dub "Kira". There's also issues with the personal life of the main guy, as well as having to deal with the notebook's original owner from another dimension. It's pretty silly, but good fun. And hey, it's Japanese.

[FireFingers]

Love the source material, myself. But I agree with Smeds2, there is a lot going on in the head of characters that will be a real challenge to portray on stage. Ryuk could be an incredible sight on stage if done right. Liking the new track any way.

[Fantod]

Also,

I'll take a potato chip...AND EAT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[philly03]

^ In the original post, I wrote that the lyrics are by Jack Murphy (The Civil War, WONDERLAND, Count of Monte Cristo) and book by Ivan Menchell (Bonnie & Clyde). The musical will be translated into Japanese, and Korean, however.

[JRybka]

It sounds really cool. I always liked Frank Wildhorn. I know he gets bashed and sure some of his lyrics are rediculous but he does do some lush tunes.

[philly03]

Frank has only written lyrics for pop music, some of the tunes in The Civil War, and select words in Jekyll and Victor/Victoria...

[Pauly3]

"Playing His Game" is on youtube and gaining views. A 2nd demo song has been released as well. Music included in a Japanese promotional video is also used in a 3rd video on youtube.


Playing His Game
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mod2RgRfZvw

They're Only Human
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5nB1FtAzhg

Music used in promotional video used in fan video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki4m7oPHLCQ

Additional info on Japanese production
http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2015/01/07/video-death-note-the-musical-japanese-cast-photo-session

[Elfuhbuh]

"They're Only Human" sounds similar to "The Master's Song" from Dracula. ^

[BroadwayBaby6]

Wildhorn will most likely produce an English language concept recording on his own label....He did that for Tears of Heaven (correct me if I got the name wrong).

[philly03]

Ehhh.. That's not entirely true. That project had a different funding team who put a ton of money upfront, with a pop lyricist (Robin Lerner - who among other hit songs wrote Faith Hill's "This Kiss") and it was a return of Frank, Linda Eder and Jeremy Roberts re-joining. Global Vision, in more recent years, seems to be more of Jeremy Roberts's doing, not Frank's.

These recordings are simply demo recordings.

[Overthewall]

"It's Only Human" sounds exactly like "The Writing's on the Wall" from Rudolf!

http://youtu.be/kJpvswRdb0I

[philly03]

New demo released again today featuring Carrie Manolakos.


This is becoming one of my favorite Wildhorn scores. A big improvement over "Tears of Heaven," and although there are some true gems in "ARTUS - Excalibur" (particularly the song "What Makes a King"), I find this score more exciting.
Death Note demo

[Mr Roxy]

It is a shame many of his scores are not commercially available.

Doubt he will ever have another show on Broadway. He will laugh all the way to the bank with the success of his shows overseas.

Cue the brickbats from the Wildhorn haters.

[Starship]

Wonderland was awful, but I've seen worse. I think Wildhorn writes some amazing scores and I wish him the best of luck in h is endeavors.

[Mr Roxy]

To please both sides, make his scores available on CD etc and do not produce them on Broadway. This would satisfy both parties.

[philly03]

Yeah, but Wildhorn needs that Broadway "label" or needs to get high profile artists to record it. It is true that his record sales both here and internationally are incredible, particularly certain songs.

My bet is more on I expect to not see Jack Murphy back on Broadway. Murphy writes some great "pop" songs (he wrote with Wildhorn "Must Be My Lucky Day" which has gotten some more fans thanks to Laura Osnes recording it), but he is easily the biggest offender when it comes to Wildhorn songs being able to be plopped in any show. Ironically, a ton of his lyrics from The Civil War are incredibly moving, maybe he is also not being properly utilized. (He and Wildhorn work well together because they work quickly) I'll give Murphy some credit though - he wrote book/music/lyrics for a new musical a few years ago that had this great number for Linda Eder "Back Where I Belong." Don't know the status of that project.

[Mr Roxy]

He has more unproduced (on Broadway)shows than most composers have ever written.

[philly03]

Two new demos up at the same link. One is performed by fantastic Adrienne Warren, and the other by Eric Anderson.

[grstp]

There is also now a 5th track up here.

I am a fan of the source material, and I did really enjoy the first song and liked the second one, but if this were to ever possibly have a life on Broadway, it would need some fine tuning to fit it towards a more cynical American Audience.


Death Note Tracks