FANGS FOR NOTHING, FRANK - nypost.com

[SethDaniels]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 8:11am

https://www.broadwayworld.com/l.cfm?id=54337

As if Frank needed another reason to dislike him Updated On: 12/15/04 at 08:11 AM

[venticelli]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 8:30am

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.

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 9:00am

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.

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 9:08am

"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.

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 9:19am

I'm guessing Esparza said no to the recording then.

[pab]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 9:21am

That's what it says in the article:

"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."

[Al Dente]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 9:46am

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?

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 9:48am

ah, so it was. you taught me a valuable lesson today, pab.

[Craig]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 9:53am

Al-

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...

[Cadriel]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 9:58am

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.

-Wayne

[SethDaniels]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 12:38pm

Just saw this on Chuck Wagner's website:


Frank's email to the cast

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 12:43pm

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.

Posted: 12/15/04 at 12:45pm

Who is JB at the end of the letter?

[SethDaniels]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 12:47pm

James Barbour?

John Barrowman?

I would guess Barbour given his voice and style.

[umgeoboy]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 12:48pm

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!

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 2:19pm

Sorry for the repeated thread, but I thought it might ward off any further speculation.

""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. ""

[SethDaniels]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 2:29pm

Thanks PB, but the email was already posted

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 2:31pm

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.)

Curious to hear who JB is....hoping its Barbour.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 2:41pm

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.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 2:46pm

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.

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 2:51pm

I think the producers of this show have suffered enough, without having to eat a cast album on top of everything else.

[Jwei123]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 2:55pm

someone's in trouuuuuble!!!!

[SueleenGay]

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

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.)

Well, obviously not YOU!

Updated On: 12/15/04 at 03:01 PM

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 3:05pm

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.

So how about that Frank Wildhorn, hey?

[WOSQ]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 3:08pm

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?