False information being posted-please read

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 7/5/08 at 2:11pm

Hey kids!

It's me, Uncle Marc Shaiman. I first posted on this board (and ATC) around 6 years ago, when I read things that just weren't true about HAIRSPRAY, and, since I co-wrote the show, I knew what was true and could point out that there are people who come online and state falsehoods or fantasies as fact. It's become a bit of a pet peeve of mine...

So anyway, I happened to check out the board this morning and saw a thread involving someone I'm working with currently, Aaron Tveit. I Emailed him to ask if he knew someone on a message board was posting info and saying it was coming from the horse's mouth.

He said he was mystified, had just learned of it himself, and wondered how to combat it.

I offered to do what I am doing now, which is simply to remind you guys NOT to believe EVERYTHING you read here or anywhere else online.

He said I could actually quote him. He wrote...

"Wow, these are blatant lies!!

I auditioned for WSS over a month ago and haven't had a callback. I haven't said anything of the sort about me getting it to anyone. And at this point, with the person saying I'm their friend and that I said all this, it just feels like slander to me.

Right before I got your email I wrote a long email to my manager about what to do.

I know a lot of people see these things and hate that they are seeing false information. It'd be one thing if the person heard these things. But when they say its from my mouth? I have no idea who this person is!! And I haven't said any of these things to anyone..."

So on and so forth.

So guys, just wanted to give you all a head's up. I also wanted to post this in a fresh thread, cause I'd rather not give further life to that actual thread, or any thread that actually discusses opinions of any person's talent (since I always think of the actual person you are talking about reading it...or even worse, their mother!). I hope this thread remains as simply a reminder to you guys not to believe everything you read online.

And now, to completely contradict what I just said (ha!), I will offer my own opinion, and that's that Lord knows Aaron would make a beautiful "Tony" in West Side Story as he is making an exciting "Frank Jr." for us at our readings of "CATCH ME IF YOU CAN". May the best gig win!

Happy Fourth,
Marc Shaiman

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 7/5/08 at 2:18pm

Thanks for setting the record straight Marc!

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 7/5/08 at 2:20pm

Thank you for telling us the truth Marc.

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 7/5/08 at 2:20pm

Updated On: 5/3/09 at 02:20 PM

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 7/5/08 at 2:21pm

You or someone else may want to post this or a link to it in the thread in question.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 7/5/08 at 2:23pm

"I'm getting it from Aaron, who is a good friend.... why do you always try to stomp down the WSS casting threads? Do you work for the production team?"

"I doubt Aaron would lie to me."

TooDarnHot apparently posted some false information that was deleted, then proceeded to make another post claiming Aaron and Lea would play Tony and Maria in the West Side Story revival. I don't understand what people hear and why people try to post rumors and polish them as if they were true. TDH claimed he (or she?) knew Aaron and received word from him. I also don't understand why someone who is supposedly a "good friend" of Aaron would try to pass on these silly rumors.

The "official announcement" that was supposed to come soon never came. Go figure. Thanks Marc Shaiman for clearing this up!

Updated On: 7/5/08 at 02:23 PM

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 7/5/08 at 2:25pm

Dear Mr. Marc Shaiman -
I think everyone knows that all posting boards are RIFE with BS, sockpuppets, made up stories, jealousies, and ridiculousness, so why would anyone pay attention, especially if you're a "creator"? I mean, why make it a pet peeve? This is what the doofusses want. Like REAL LIFE - are ya going to worry about everything a "stranger" might say about you? Ignore them. Unless it's something you can sue for! The internet is a bitch, isn't it?? STOP THE RUMORS!!

Updated On: 7/5/08 at 02:25 PM

[PalJoey]

Posted: 7/5/08 at 2:30pm

Thanks for clarifying, Marc.

Aaron Tveit is a talented guy. He doesn't deserve some idiot making up stories about him--and neither does BroadwayWorld.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 7/5/08 at 2:31pm

Oh snap!

[NYC_or_Bust]

Posted: 7/5/08 at 2:34pm

I post this on the WSS revival thread thats caused all this mess as well...


Too Darn Hot.... YOU'VE been SHAIMANED!
( Literally )

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/5/08 at 2:35pm

Marc thanks for setting it straight- that particular poster has a track record of posting made-up stuff and I doubted that he had any inside scoop regarding this show (He's never been right before). I figured we'd have to wait till the official announcements had been made before he got his comeuppance (and by then he'd have vanished into the mist) but sometimes the voice of God rings out and sets a miscreant straight.

Thanks again for being the voice of God.

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 7/5/08 at 2:44pm

Updated On: 5/3/09 at 02:44 PM

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 7/5/08 at 2:46pm

And this is why I love you Marc Shaiman (Well, that and your consistently brilliant scores)

[NYC_or_Bust]

Posted: 7/5/08 at 2:46pm

Agreed lepetite

Reading your post totally made me flash over "The Rumor" from Fiddler...OY!

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 7/5/08 at 2:57pm

Everyone say it with me...BURN!

Just kidding! But if Marc does come back to this thread I just wanna say best wished and good luck with CMIYC. I hope it turns out great and I can't wait for the audition notice. :]

Much Love!

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 7/5/08 at 2:59pm

Thanks for posting, Marc! Welcome back! Stay a while!!

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 7/5/08 at 3:08pm

"Aaron is not allowed to share casting news before it is announced..."

Yet he shared it with you and you go ahead and post it publicly on a message board. Some "friend" you are (regardless of any lies).

[DG]

Posted: 7/5/08 at 3:10pm

Thanks, Marc.

TooDarn - you are truly nuts.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 7/5/08 at 3:14pm

Thanks, Marc, we appreciate your voice of reason.

Also, best wishes to Aaron on getting a callback for this or any other leading roles that come along for him.

[scaryclowns223]

Posted: 7/5/08 at 3:28pm

Thanks Marc!

Its nice to have someone legitimate posting here, because unfortunately, gossip (much like "the beat") can't be stopped.





Ok, that was, officially, the worst hairspray joke ever.
I apologize.

[lakezurich]

Posted: 7/5/08 at 3:30pm

Thanks for setting the record straight.

[Mekroth]

Posted: 7/5/08 at 3:30pm

Marc is BWW's Deus Ex Machina.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 7/5/08 at 3:32pm

I'd have said more of a panacea than a Deus Ex Machina...maybe if he reveals the power to the Ruby Slippers...

[BrianS]

Posted: 7/5/08 at 3:34pm

Posting information on a public website that your "friend" told you in confidence = nuts

Offering to reveal private texts and emails from that person (who happens to be a very nice human being) = batsh*t insane.

[MungoGypsy8232]

Posted: 7/5/08 at 3:46pm

Thanks Marc :)