this is too much. the only thing that was the least bit likable was the cast. it may be HIS music, but it's a slap in the face to the people involved in the show. let's all cringe in advance for whatever public domain piece he plans on setting to pop music next.
"What could a computer do with a lifetime supply of chocolate? I am now telling the computer exactly what it can do with a lifetime supply of chocolate!"
ok - now I not only dislike his music immensely - but the man himself - what a heartless, insensitive, greedy bast*rd...he should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law if he goes through with it and the Dodgers should have to pay the actors the full amount they would have made doing the recording. Man! - Greed really seems to run this world these days.
"I don't really get the ending,all i can go with is when after several months,Judith saw Pat sang,and later she kissed him on the toilet,after that the story back to where Pat went down from the stage after he'd sung,and he went to the italian lady.I just don't get it,what Judith exatcly meant when he kissed Pat that she had seen,and did Pat end up together with The Italian Lady?Please help me,thank u very much!"
Quote from someone on IMDB in reference to a movie he/she didn't understand. Such grammar!
"Cheap SOB" is how a former cast member of a Wildhorn show described him to me years ago. Anybody that treats his actors in this manner is contemptible.
It's akin to owning a hot bar or resturant and paying your bartenders jack.
"Errico first heard about it from her friend, the Broadway actor Raul Esparza, who was asked by Wildhorn to record the role of Dracula (played by Tom Hewitt in the show), a theater source said.
Esparza, not wanting to take work away from actors in the show, declined."
"Smart! And into all those exotic mystiques -- The Kama Sutra and Chinese techniques. I hear she knows more than seventy-five. Call me tomorrow if you're still alive!"
Wasn't he "in" on the casting sessions? How nonsensical. They were good enough to open and work in his show but not to do the recording? Any wonder why Wildhorn is so reviled?
Casting of the CD has nothing to do with it as Frank himself said that it was too costly to do it with the current cast. Apparently he's trying to save money - and I can only assume that he's hot to get a CD out because he just booked the tour. Otherwise, why not wait the 19 or so weeks and use the Broadway cast (who then would/could do it for peanuts).
Considering all that this cast has gone through, this doesn't sound like a way of "rewarding" them...
"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men" - Willy Wonka
This sounds to me like a really desperate attempt to make the show a cult hit that will be "redeemed" on tour and in regional / amateur productions. Cutting the cast out instead of waiting for the contracts to end for an album to be produced (which I believe was the case for Amour, Melissa Errico's prior flop) is just low, however "pragmatic" a decision Wildhorn looks at it as.
Although this is news is incredibly upsetting to me because of the friendship I've developed with Melissa through e-mails over since I saw the show in previews and then again after opening and, as an aspiring performer, I can only imagine what this must feel like...
I think we need to remember that whether we want to admit it or not, theater is called showBUSINESS for a reason. This is business and in business you do what you have to if you need to turn out some kind of a profit. I don't support Wildhorn. Honestly, I've lost A LOT of respect. But I think this is something we need to consider.
"I know now that theatre saved my life." - Susan Stroman
you can also blame the producers for not backing a cast recording. This definitely is not all frank's fault! The producers have had their hands into dracula way too much and the result a show that flops!
"Judy Garland, Jimmy Dean, You tragedy Queen" ~ Taboo
"Watching a frat boy realize just what he put his d!ck in...ex's getting std's...schadenfruede" ~ Ave Q
"when dangers near, exploit their fear" ~ Reefer Madness the Musical
Regarding Chuck's "JB" guess for Dracula, my guess would be James Barbour. That is only a guess!
I have been in touch with one of the producers of the Dracula CD, who cannot comment at this time, but hopes that people will keep an open mind as to what has taken place.
While I can't take sides on this, I will say there is a lot of logistics and legalities involving this. Here's hoping all those involved can be satisfied and move on. ""
What a bizarre story. Seems kind of pointless, though, because the only reason I would BUY the recording of Dracula would be to hear the original cast (namely Hewitt, Errico, and O'Hara) perform these songs. I haven't heard enough good things about the score by itself to make me want to buy it recorded by a bunch of other people.
And mad props to Raul Esparza for turning it down and informing Melissa Errico. At least someone involved with all this seems to be interested in ethics. (Though, if Esparza HAD recorded it, I would have probably bought it.)
And mad props to Raul Esparza for turning it down and informing Melissa Errico. At least someone involved with all this seems to be interested in ethics. (Though, if Esparza HAD recorded it, I would have probably bought it.)
*nods* That's really quite a move. I read that part and just thought "wow." Probably aren't many people who'd do that, in general. He's got a big heart, that Raul.
His only motivation is money. He doesn't care if the fans buy it or not. He wants it out there to ensure future productions...so he can make money. He won't make money if some kid in Ohio buys this CD...he doesn't care about them. What a jerk. He wrote the flop, accept that fact Frank, and move on. I am sure the novel GREED is in the public domain. Maybe that should be your next project.
Hehe. True, but my own personal lack of ethics when it comes to Raul Esparza is not the question here:) I'd buy a recording of him whistling Rodgers and Hammerstein and think it was brilliant.
As some producer a while back said, when you are spending 8-12 mil on a show, what's another 250-500k for an album? It could be self-produced and distributed by some company. This would take the onus off of trying to sell album rights and the show would retain creative control.
Remember that the authors will make the most out of a show like Dracula, as they did out of Jekyll and Hyde, since they will get royalties out of every production regardless of whether it makes money or not. This includes a tour, regional productions, foreign productions, stock and eventually Little Theatre runs.
Having a recording (any recording) of the score makes reading the show easier for people who are not familiar with the show. In short a cheap recording will benefit the authors and perhaps some other royalty recipients.
It screws the actors and the already screwed producers.
Ain't show biz grand?
"If my life weren't funny, it would just be true. And that would be unacceptable."
--Carrie Fisher