Frank Wildhorn, Leslie Bricusse, Robert Cuccioli, Linda Eder - Jekyll & Hyde - The Musical (1997 Original Broadway Cast)

The one thing you can say about Frank Wildhorn is that he doesn't give up. Like The Scarlet Pimpernel, Jekyll & Hyde , based on R. L. Stevenson's classic depiction of a split personality run amok, went through several rewrites and casts--each show is a work-in-neverending-progress for Wildhorn. This recording immortalizes the show's classic Broadway cast: Robert Cuccioli as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Linda Eder as Lucy, and Christiane Noll as Emma. Appropriately for the show, Wildhorn's score is both tempestuously romantic and unabashedly ominous. While Cuccioli handles both parts with elan, Wildhorn saved his best songs for Lucy and Emma, confirming that he really is the contemporary master of the power ballad. --Elisabeth Vincentelli Amazon.com

Great Broadway production!

Probably Frank Wildhorn's finest achievement; of course it didn't hurt to have his then-wife in the cast. Linda Eder is probably one of the greatest voices of our time! November 30, 2008

porblems!problems!

first, I got the package after almost a month!- postal office lost it, I guess!-but after only 5 days after purchase, collector agency started calling, to recuperate the money, cause what had happened was that the "machine" did not read the credit card info, so that it was not paid for. anyway, I had to pay for it, although I did not receive it.
and, btw, the CD is HORRIBLE! November 30, 2008

Sappy musical

I bought this because I am in a production of it.
The music is swampy and overblown and the singing is loaded with annoying pop-yodelling ornamentations. Despite this, there are a few very nice songs: "His work and nothing more" and a tango Lucy sings. May 2, 2008

Apples and Oranges

As an avid collector of original cast recordings, I have found that few studio casts project the spontaneity and excitement of those who have actually sung the roles on stage. I purchased this recording not even realizing that there was the earler concept album. Then, after reading a number of customer reviews expressing a preference for the latter, I decided to check it out for myself.
To me, first of all, it is a tossup. And, second, the two cannot really be compared, any more than apples and oranges. The 1994, to be sure, includes about twice as much music; but a good bit of it is recitative that does not really lend itself to vocalization. The 1997, however, seems to move the story along much better. Of course, there were some alterations to the story between 1994 and 1997.
I find Robert Cuccioli more convincing than Anthony Wardlow. The transitions between Jekyll and Hyde have greater contrast. Of course, having played the role on stage, these would likely come more easily.
In both cases, the printing of the text in white print on black background made it difficult to follow while listening.
If a listener is really gung-ho for this musical, I would recommend purchasing both recordings. If one is enough, I think the 1997 original cast is the better choice. September 15, 2007

Good, Though One Power Ballad After Another

Frank Wildhorn's "Jekyll & Hyde" tries to be part "Les Miserables", part "Phantom of the Opera" - though not nearly as successfully. The show seemed to take forever to finally reach Broadway, but thankfully exposed a mass audience to Linda Eder's terrific voice. Robert Cuccioli is great as Jekyll/Hyde, but the show really belongs to Ms. Eder.

Overall, the score is quite beautiful (and better than the show as a whole), but probably too many power ballads.

Best tracks include:

Facade
This Is The Moment
Someone Like You
Murder, Murder
Once Upon A Dream
In His Eyes
Dangerous Game August 25, 2007

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