A Few Questions About Directors...

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 1/19/10 at 9:27pm

Sorry if these have already been asked. Search turned up nothing.

1. Do musical and play directors earn royalties if the show runs long after they have stopped working on it?
2. How much does a high-profile director of a Broadway musical make per show, on average? Does someone like Joe Mantello, helming a high-cost high-production value show like Wicked or 9 to 5 make more than someone like Michael Grief who takes on Next to Normal or Michael Mayer on American Idiot?

[binau]

Posted: 1/19/10 at 9:34pm

3. What about high-profile international replica shows, e.g. WICKED and PHANTOM - does Joe Mantello and Harold Prince direct each and every production? (Joe Mantello is given directing credits on the Wicked Australia website).

[CapnHook]

Posted: 1/19/10 at 9:38pm

I don't know about specific cases, but I do know that when a "duplicate" production of a show is produced (ie tour or sit-down production), then either the director themself goes to stage it OR an asst director or stage manager will do it. Mostly, according to my experience, it is the director that comes.

If you think about it, all the "directing" is done. The show is blocked and it's all on paper. As is the "acting" although the acting can vary.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/20/10 at 5:24am

The director's job is SO much more than just blocking. I can't just pick up someone else's script that has their blocking and expect MY production to turn out the same way as THAT director's production (professional or not). It's about bringing the actors on a journey to figure out the motivation, character and story telling so that it is symbiotic.


But to address the questions above, the only one I can add to: yes, the original directors continue to receive paychecks as long as the production runs. And they should in the same way that most if not all of the other creative team gets paid.

[steveshack]

Posted: 1/20/10 at 7:24am

The director of a New York production also gets a share of royalties from all subsequent productions, depending on his contract.

[noplain]

Posted: 1/20/10 at 7:52am

3. This depends on the production. For Wicked in Australia Lisa Leguillou actually did the physical direction in the country - if Joe Mantello came down and did some work I'm not sure - but Leguillou (who I believe was AD on Broadway?) is credited as "Australian Director" and she was the person who received the credit with a Helpmann nomination (and win), which the producers had to specifically enter her in for consideration (ie, it wasn't a decision of LPA, it was the show's own choice). I believe the Melbourne production of Jersey Boys brought original director Des MacAnuff. I believe if they don't use the original director, they'll typically use an AD or someone else very close to the directorial role in a former production.

[iflip4musicals]

Posted: 1/20/10 at 8:07am

2. My guess is that they do get paid more once they are more high-profile. I think that they take into considerations Tony (or other award) wins as well. I know awards/nominations factor into actors paychecks.

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 1/20/10 at 8:56am

All of that is in the contract, and of course, a more high-profile director can get more in negotiations. It's all about who wants/needs it more.