Frank: Much of story is told in dance numbers. There's a lot of dancing in this show, about 6 big dance numbers. Our choreographer is wonderful and has quite a reputation in Philly. It's my first score with big bad and jazz music. The choreography is a major part of this production.
Choreographer Any Blankenbuehler & dancers
PB: Why the title change to Waiting for the Moon?
Jack: Vincent Marini, Lenape's producing artistic director and our artistic director spent about 3 days with me locked in my house and we were trying to figure out what to call this because I didn't feel right calling it Scott & Zelda. So he myself and my wife were having dinner at a nice little restaurant, tossing around ideas. My wife half joking suggested "Waiting For Scott", but we agreed it needed to be more romantic. So Waiting For The Moon is what came out of that dinner. I don't know, maybe it was the scallops! But, I think you will see why by the end of the show. There is a title song also and it's sung by Scott.
Composer Frank Wildhorn and director Vincent Marini
PB: Both of Frank's parents attended the opening and are very charming and proud parents. They told me that you were about 15 years old when you taught yourself to play piano in between football practices. Your mother admitted to me that she actually thought you would become a commercial artist as you "still draw and paints beautifully..."
Frank: I really had no choice, I breathe, I eat, I live to make music...and my father didn't talk to me for a long time! (laughing)
Mr. & Mrs. Sy Wildhorn (Frank's parents)
Jack: But at least you are making a living at it (laughing).
PB: Are they're any plans for a CD for Waiting For The Moon?
Frank: There are always plans for a CD. We're figuring out the logistics on how to do that now.
PB: Speaking about CD's is there any news about the release of the Dracula CD and how is that going in Europe?
Frank: Dracula is in the middle of an incredibly successful, totally sold-out run in St. Gallen, Switzerland. There will be more news on Dracula in Europe and Asia in the weeks to follow. We hope to have the CD out sometime this fall.
PB: You are presenting a second show here at Lenape on Sept.23rd and 24th. Is your cast set for that?
Frank: Yes, I am very, very lucky to have Rob Evan, Michael Lanning, Kate Shindle and Tracy Miller (currently Penny Pingleton in Hairspray on Broadway right now). They're some of my favorite singers working today and I can't wait to put that show together. We start next week.
PB: A busy man as always. Any other project showing signs of readiness?
Frank: 2006 looks to be our busiest yet. We're hoping for a Spring opening of Cyrano in England/London. It is Leslie Bricusse's and my follow-up to Jekyll & Hyde and is being produced by Bill Kenwright. On May 26th, Vienna premieres in Budapest, where it will run for a year before moving to the Rhineman theater in Vienna. It features book & lyrics by Jack Murphy and additional lyrics by Nan Knighton.
On June 20th, the Civil War begins its five-year summer engagement at the rebuilt Majestic Theatre in Gettysburg, PA where it will run from Memorial Day to Labor Day for at least five years. We're so proud to present the show, especially in that environment, and we're looking forward to new recordings, a PBS special, etc. There are two more planned openings in 2006, but you'll have to talk to Gregory Boyd at the Alley Theatre about those.
PB: That is really a full plate for and your collaborators. Frank and Jack, thank you so much for sharing with us and break a leg with Waiting For the Moon. Let's hope another Lenape premiere holds a long and successful run.
photo credits: Lenape PR and James Weiner
