by Chris Peterson
The other day I realized that I’ve pretty much seen every Frank Wildhorn musical that’s made it to Broadway. Some more than once. Some in different productions. Some with the kind of anticipation that comes from loving his work, and some with the quiet dread of knowing exactly what you’re walking into.
Which feels like the right place to start, because ranking Frank Wildhorn shows isn’t about pretending they’re all the same kind of “good.” It’s about understanding the specific, unapologetic lane he’s always lived in. Big emotions. Big voices. Melodrama without shame. When he hits, he hits. And when he doesn’t, you still walk out humming something.
So here’s my ranking of the Frank Wildhorn musicals that appeared on Broadway, from the bottom up, based purely on my experience sitting in those seats. Note: Sorry Victor/Victoria, I didn’t see that show live and he really only did some additional work on that anyway.
6. Dracula (2004)
Dracula is the Frank Wildhorn show I wanted to love more than I actually did. It feels like it should be a slam dunk. Gothic romance, tortured souls, big emotions, and a composer who thrives on writing music for people in emotional free fall. And there are moments where you catch a glimpse of that show. When the score swells and leans into longing, you can hear Wildhorn doing what he does best. Big, earnest ballads. No winking. No restraint. Just feelings, everywhere.
But for me, the show never quite clicks. Still, I respect the swing. The music has flashes of grandeur, the central romance is treated sincerely, and even when it doesn’t work, it’s never boring. It just doesn’t quite sink its teeth in.