FANGS FOR NOTHING, FRANK - nypost.com- Page 3

[SueleenGay]

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

I got $25 bucks! Anyone want to chip in to get a recording of CARRIE?

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 9:12pm

I agree with Craig that none of this business bodes well for future cast recordings.

[musicalfandukie]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 9:22pm

wow i've lost alot of respect for frank..what an embarrassment to broadway theatre. i feel bad for the cast

Posted: 12/15/04 at 9:47pm

About James Barbour... I'm pretty sure it's him. I'm on his mailing list, and this is part of an email he sent out:

"So, here is what is on the record as of now:

1. FRANKENSTEIN is indeed in the works. I've had meetings with Frank Wildhorn and Greg Boyd about the project and you will all be BLOWN AWAY by the concept. I know I was. From what I've heard of Frank's new music...it's absolutely breathtaking.

2. A TALE OF TWO CITIES looks good too. Everything seems to be in place and I'll have more on that as it develops.

3. There will be a new CD released (hopefully) the first week of January. Can't tell you the title yet but as soon as I can release the info...you'll get it."

Piecing together the already working with Wildhorn fact, it looks like he's on the CD. I would REALLY LOVE a Drac OBC, and I feel like I want to support the cast and not purchase the record, but I LOVE James Barbour and would do anything for that man's voice... Ugh! I'm in a bind!!

I can see why Wildhorn wants James on his team for Frankenstein. Critics ADORE James--I have never seen a bad review about him. But JAMES! C'MON!! Aren't you at all sorry about taking the recording away from the actors? AT ALL?! And who knows? In a couple years, this may be happening to you!

AND how is Wildhorn getting MONEY for Frankenstein?! Answer me that?!

I went to see Dracula today. First act was pretty low-energy, but they got into it by The Modern World. But afterwards... Only Melissa and Tom seem really pleased to see fans. The theater was half-empty (or more... I couldn't see the balcony) and I cheered after most songs and stood up at curtain call for them and Melissa mouthed to me 'You're the best.' Then afterwards she saw me at the door and gave me a big hug and said that she was very thankful. I have to study for a final, but if I have time I'll write up a review for you all--but OMG. Even KELLI, who has ALWAYS STAYED walked right past us all without saying anything. Darren stayed to sign but was not happy. Poor guys...

[Tiny-Toon]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 1:28am

I'm still going to buy this recording!
yay for dracula! ..

[fyffe]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 2:03am

Hello all you FRank Bashers!! DId anyone read the email?? Why is Frank getting the bad rap here. He obviously wanted the cast to do the recording. That is why he shopped around for months for a label. Hello.. Its not his fault that the record companies just aren't interested. Now if it were your music and you wanted it recorded, wouldn't you do it any way you could afford. Especially after you exhausted other mearsures. The cast should understand this. Yes, they should be disappointed, but not with Frank.
kev

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 2:09am

Exactly - I was going to say that. And, not to put down the cast, but I agree with Frank that there are better singers out there to record to music than the cast. I don't think anyone would disagree with me on that for a second.

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 4:27am

"2. A TALE OF TWO CITIES looks good too. Everything seems to be in place and I'll have more on that as it develops."

Oooh you expect to mention T2C and not catch my interest?

Updated On: 1/2/05 at 04:27 AM

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 9:59am

Fyffe - NO - not if it means going against the rules and denying pay that is due the actors in the original cast. He's a low life who has no respect whatsoever for his performers - just another case of EGO getting in the way of good moral conduct and respect for your co-workers.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 10:02am

I disagree. Since when does being a member of an OBC entitle you to record the CD? That's just what usually happens, but it's hardly a RULE.

[Justice]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 10:11am

With the music being so God-awful, who is going to buy the recording anyway? We'll probably see it in the $1.99 used bin of some record store.

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 10:14am

justice - oh no you didn't!LOL...you just said what so many of us have been thinking all along!

[joeyjoe]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 10:28am

i'd buy it only for the sake of filling out my show CD collection Updated On: 12/16/04 at 10:28 AM

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 10:31am

Of course it's Frank's fault the record labels aren't interested. He sold them his Harold Hill line of BS several times in the past and they took it on the chin time and time again. It's the same reason he had to get foreign producers for 'Dracula,' no one wants to eat his garbage shows anymore. Now he's clearly showing the same respect to his performers that he's shown his investors and his other creative collaborators: none. He's tried to turn Broadway into his own vanity line but now everyone who's lost their hat on him can see him for the untalented schister he's always been.

Frank Wildhorn is only taking care of himself, which is his prerogative, sure: hopefully, next time he writes a show, actors and producers will take note of the way he takes care of his people and give him the same due.

Anyone who buys this record ought to be ashamed of themself.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 10:42am

It's easy for everyone to say things, but we hardly know the ENTIRE story. And I would beg to differ - Frank's shows aren't crap. DRACULA yes, is a crappy score. Frank is responsible for the SCORE and nothing else - if a show sucks, but the music is incredible, he's done his job. I thought THE CIVIL WAR, PIMPERNEL, and even JEKYLL AND HYDE were quite good with amazing music.

[SethDaniels]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 10:43am

I think these quotes from Frank himself say so much.

"Aesthetically, I need to make a recording that will reflect my vision of the music and be a calling card for the score from here out. The producers in Holland wanted to have this recording done by January. I started working towards this goal about six weeks ago and was told that the producers would take the time to talk to the cast and explain what was going on. "

Passing the buck much? The producers have nothing to do with the album, why is it their job to upset their cast with something Frank is doing?

"But, along with the other authors, I must look out for the future of this piece, especially for my kids, and will do whatever I feel necessary to make the most of this copyright"

Frank, who constantly uses source material in public domain making this comment is hysterical. Not only that, but what about the families of the artists involved in his current production. It's one thing to apologize for your behavior, what he is attempting to do, it's another to backhand slap someone in the same letter by making it all about themselves

"Yes, this situation really sucks, and, no matter how you look at it, it's not fair, it's not right, and, given what I think of our show, totally unjustified. But that, as they say, is showbiz."

Same comment. "That's showbiz". Nice way to apologize to your cast. Keep in mind that this email was in lieu of Frank coming to the theater and facing the cast himself after they found out what was going on. NICE. Actually, disgusting if you ask me. And there is always a choice, Frank CHOSE to not put his foot down with the parties involved that he wanted to use the original cast and that the project would either have to wait 19 weeks or that more $$ would have to be invested. He chose not to.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 10:47am

that IS disgusting....wow...

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 10:48am

If you think a composer is simply there to throw done some tunes and that if he's done that he's done his job then you know nothing about musicals, let alone how they are created.

The bottom line is this: you don't screw the people who are there night after night selling your product for you. Sure, you *can* but, well, you'll go to the theater some night and realize there's no one there, onstage or in the house.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 10:50am

Definitely....perhaps that's why his decent shows have flopped in the past - the way he treated people, and the "insiders" certainly knew it. I guess it's just NOW reaching the public. I have lost a lot of respect for him.

[junglered]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 11:00am

Tacky, tacky, tacky.

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 11:03am

junglered - well said.

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 12/17/04 at 9:31am

I'm bumping this back to the top because people need to know this is happening.

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 12/17/04 at 11:04am

and again. Worthless schmuck.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 12/17/04 at 11:11am

happening, indeed. January 27 is what I've been told. Can't wait.

[SethDaniels]

Posted: 12/17/04 at 11:13am

On the drac fan site one of the producers is blabbering on about the recording and defending frank naturally while criticizing the post for innacuracies.

His latest quote "We've been working on this since late October. We are in our final weeks of mixing. We anticipate sending the masters to the plant first week of January. Our plant takes about 2 weeks to manufacture to discs. Add a few days for shipping -- so stepping out on a limb, How about an estimated ship date of Jan 27 - possibly earlier. "

I wonder at what point since late October they knew they were doing this without the cast. I wonder at what point between October and December they were planning on telling the cast. According to franks email to the cast, he said he thought the producers would handle that. Seems to me that in three months you might know that the cast was never informed.