“We’re not going off of precedence,” Threlfall said.
They are, after all, the first American performers to ever be these characters and sing these lyrics in English. The students who snagged the leads described the experience as “terrifying” and “nerve-wracking,” but also as a unique opportunity for growth, which is exactly what this whole experience is for students. And I felt like I needed to yield to what he wanted.” … On that one I had to yield to him (because) the guy created the show and he’s got eight Broadway shows under his belt. “Actually, we agreed on all the characters except for one in terms of what student-actor. “In a lot of ways he really did (have the final say),” said Tim Threlfall, the musical’s director. Wildhorn had a major part of the April 2014 tryouts, handpicking his top choices for actors in the end. “And Monte Cristo has that all over the place.”Īnd with a bigger-than-life plot and music, the BYU producer, director and actors have had their work set out for them. “I’m always attracted to stories of characters where the characters are bigger than life and the events and the situations they are in are bigger than life,” Wildhorn said. A turn of events leads Dantes to his escape, and he proceeds to extract revenge on his enemies. The classic novel written by Alexandre Dumas tells the tale of Edmond Dantes, a merchant sailor who is betrayed by a friend and ends up in prison. “Of course we leapt at that opportunity - who wouldn’t? - and Frank and I went back and forth for a long time and settled on this particular show - he has several - and just got the ball rolling,” Martin said. Martin said there was no hesitation one BYU’s part to do a Frank Wildhorn musical. “The Count of Monte Cristo” musical was having major success in Europe and Asia, so much success that Wildhorn says it is his second most successful show in the last five years, only second to “ Jekyll and Hyde.” “So it kind of made sense and I thought let’s start it (Monte Cristo) here and let’s take a chance and see what happens, and it’s turning into a wonderful adventure.” I love the way it went, and more than that, I loved the way I was treated here,” Wildhorn said. Wildhorn was impressed with the caliber of talent BYU students displayed, which inspired him to work with BYU to bring one of his new musicals to America. Last year, Wildhorn, who is known for composing musicals, including “The Scarlet Pimpernel” and “Bonnie and Clyde,” performed and taught a masters class at BYU. “The music and Dance Theater program has been growing in stature and relevance for many years, and this feels like the culmination of a lot of hard work by our faculty,” said Jeffrey Martin, the creative producer for the musical.
And, it’s the first time Tony-award nominated composer Frank Wildhorn has worked with a university to accomplish this performance.īut BYU students and faculty aren’t sweating the long line of firsts that will come to a head in January when the musical will finally hit stage in the de Jong Concert Hall - instead they are relishing in this once-in-a-lifetime moment. The first time the songs will be sung in English.
It’s the first time “The Count of Monte Cristo” the musical will be performed in America. But it’s been an interesting challenge for me because they are larger than life I feel like I’ve really been able to grow as a vocalist and a performer.” (Photo courtesy BYU Photo) It’s absolutely incredible it’s beautiful. Talking about working with Wildhorn, Robins said, “His music is larger than life. Preston Yates (Edmond Dantes) and Shae Robins (Mercedes) sing a duet during a dress rehearsal for the musical premiere of “The Count of Monte Cristo.” The BYU Department of Theatre and Media Arts has been working with Tony-award nominated composer Frank Wildhorn to bring this musical to the United States for the first time.
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