A Few Questions About Directors...

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).

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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.

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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.

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.

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