Dracula recording

Posted: 12/15/04 at 7:46am

"But because "Dracula" was so poorly received, no record company picked it up.

So Wildhorn decided to record it himself.

And in an effort to keep costs down, he's using performers who are not in the show and therefore do not have to be paid Equity wages."

I have never heard of anything like this. Does anyone know if it's happened before?

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 10:47am

I think this is virgin territory for Equity. It seems like a violation of their rights as actors, though. I know I'd be pissed, so I'm sure I can't buy the "studio recording" (aka cast album) of this show.

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 10:51am

What could Equity say about it? Wildhorn's under no obligation to make a recording at all, let alone one using the same performers that were in the show.

This is about a commerical music recording and has nothing to do with actors.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 10:52am

I agree it's kind of ridiculous - who wants a cast album by people who weren't in the show? - but to play devil's advocate, you know he's not making a cent on this show, but only losing LOTS of cash...that figure about actors receiving a week's salary for every eight hours in the recording studio blows my mind - add up the number of actors in the show with the number of hours to record an album multiplied by their salaries. And who knows how well the cd would sell?

[jczelyph]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 10:55am

It sucks majorly for the actors involved in the production but to be honest, it's all business and Wildhorn really owes them nothing. Perhaps if the show was better received then he would have chosen to use the cast but as it is, he's trying to recoup some of his losses and nobody can blame him for that.

BTW: I'm not particularly a Wildhorn fan, this is just my point of view.

[midtowngym]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 11:04am

Why is he losing money? Is he an investor also? I thought the rich european guy loses all the money.

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 11:05am

This makes me so mad that I can't even find the words to show how disgraceful I believe Frank Wildhorn is to people in this industry.

[jczelyph]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 11:09am

Perhaps he isn't losing money, I really shouldn't claim insight into the financial side of Broadway. But he's probably not making money either, and for some, that's enough of a motive to do morally dubious things.

Redhot: Is this something he does often, or is generally a bit obnoxious to people in the industry?

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 11:13am

I'm sure his contract includes certain fees for his work, but probably the biggest potential chunk would have been from box office, which has turned out to be a bust.

And redhot, this isn't about people. It's about business. He is not breaking any contractual agreements. You can't expect people to lose money hand over fist to be nice to the actors who are employees and are making the salaries that they agreed to. Would your employers lose their own money in order to pay you more?

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 11:13am

jczelyph...if you check out the other thread on this topic (it contains the words FANGS FRANK) you'll get reports from others about how he has mistreated people in the business - I can't say from personal experience - but I dislike his music and now his motivations so immensely that I think I'd better shut up before I say something really awful.

Posted: 12/15/04 at 11:15am

You know, I cannot believe this. CANNOT believe this. I LOVE the show, but I will be first to admit that it would be a piece of CRAP without those actors. They have stood by this show since it opened and WHAT?! now all their hard work has come to nil. I would be SO ANGRY with him. I'm sure they are.

I have lost all respect for Frank Wildhorn and I just hope that James Barbour hears about this and pulls his ass out of Frankenstein before it's too late. I don't want to see yet another amazing actor get treated like this.

WHO DOES THIS?! I feel really, really bad. I emailed Melissa Errico a couple of weeks ago after she got back from her sick leave and this is what she said about the recording:

"My husband and I are having dinner with Frank Wildhorn on next Sunday and I will try to get to the bottom of the cd issue. I believe it will happen, just slowly. Don't fret. Its impossible not to get it made. If i have to beg and scrape I will!"

*I* feel betrayed and I'm only a fan, I don't know what the actors are feeling. Why would they want to show up to work after this?

This is ridiculous. Say all the bad things you want to about Wildhorn now. I'M NOT GOING TO DEFEND HIM ANYMORE.

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 11:18am

He's making money in the sense that the writers' royalties come out of the gross ticket revenue, regardless of whether or not the show ends up returning on its initial investment. That being said, since the show is a big flop, he's not making as much money as he would be if people were actually going to see it.

That doesn't mean he's got zillions of dollars lying around to personally fund and release recordings but he's had a lot of success as a pop songwriter too.

It's an interesting quandry: on one hand I realize Wildhorn is convinced all sorts of 'non-traditional' theater audiences buy his records (which I have a hard time believing given that they have no life anywhere but the Broadway houses and, if he's lucky, at the Miss America pageant) so I can see where he'd think that 'his' audience won't be as concerned with who's on the record. On the other hand, the actual people who will buy this album are devout theater folk who are more likely to be preturbed that Frank found some random studio singers instead of using the cast that had to put over his awful musical night in and night out.

[Craig]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 11:20am

Rathnait

The issue of contracts and rights is the very heart of this issue.

This will be an interesting "issue" to watch since I believe it's the first time a "cast" recording is attempting to be made while the show is still on broadway and NOT with the cast.

It all comes down to two major issues, I believe

1) Who has the rights to record the music at this exact time
2) Whether or not the cd would be promotional or commerical

As I said on the other thread, I can only assume the reason Frank is so hot to get the CD done (and done cheaply) is to have it in time to sell the tour. Otherwise, he could have waited the 19 weeks and probably had the cast do it for next to nothing (and probably less that he is paying any "replacements")


https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?thread=621445&dt=121504095811

Updated On: 12/15/04 at 11:20 AM

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 2:14pm

Here is a statment made by Chuck Wagner as per. Frank Wildhorn.
I have left a voice mail to Chuck concerning this and await a reply. My experience is that if Chuck has printed this, it is a reliable statement. I suggest you read it carefully. It addresses a lot of questions.
http://p210.ezboard.com/fchuckwagneronlinemessageboardfrm2.showMessage?topicID=45.topic&index=3

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.

[morosco]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 2:49pm

Great news! Another log for my fire.

[Loge]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 3:01pm

Gosh, I am so sick of the high-and-mighty wannabes of this world and this board. I found Frank's explanation to those involved with the show to be honest, straightforward, and sincere. I am sure if he could record it with his cast he would. Are you all saying you'd rather have no recording at all than the one he intends to produce? Whatever.

Lastly, to the person that said Dracula sucks - I happen to think two of Broadway's biggest hits (both recent Best Musical winners) suck...so to each his own!