IMPORTANT (to me) A Chorus Line cuts question

[mywonderwa11]

Posted: 5/28/05 at 10:14pm

Okay, I need advice, so here's the deal. I am currently in a production of A CHORUS LINE in Texas. Well, the director has made some devastating cuts to the show. She has cut "And..." along with cutting Bobby's monologue down to fit exactly what the movie is like. She has cut "Four Foot Ten" within the Montage. She has cut when Judy sings about seeing the dead body within the Montage. And other little things. Well, we as a cast are not happy about this because the cuts were never justified whatsoever. They were cut because our director "said so." (direct quote) Well, the cast sat down today with the directorial staff and were open about our frustrations and how we've been hurt and scolded by our director, but most importantly we discussed the cuts. We asked for them to be put back in (especially "And...") and explained how "And..." gives pathos to the characters of Val, Richie, and Judy. For those of you who don't know, "And..." shows the true Val and proves that she isn't just some plastic barbie doll, that she was raped and has insecurities. Same goes for Judy and Richie. Our director took what we said entirely wrong and said, "I have a vision and it is without 'And...' and the cuts are staying and I don't have to justify myself, nor am I going to."

Now, my question...SURELY TAMS Whitmark (sp?) would not approve cuts such as those. (they faxed the cuts to them but haven't received a response) It's shady and the cast is desperate. We're miserable as of right now. Some cast members want to write letters to the TAMS and pretty much have them force our director to put the cuts back in to stay true to Michael Bennett's script and dream.

What should I do? Would it be out of line to contact TAMS myself?

Sorry this was so long.

Updated On: 6/6/05 at 10:14 PM

[DayDreamer]

Posted: 5/28/05 at 10:24pm

Wow... that's ridiculous. The ACL I did this spring I had some issues with the director's vision, but after sitting with her and chatting about it, I felt better, and she understood some of my misgivings and made some changes herself. It wound up being a phenomenal experience.

I, personally, don't know what I'd do in your position. Part of me would feel commited to the show and just trudge along, but part of me would feel like walking, especially if I could get most of the cast to go with me.

I know, not an answer. Sorry. I was just appalled by this.

[mywonderwa11]

Posted: 5/28/05 at 10:30pm

No, most of the cast is appalled. The ENTIRE cast stood before our director and explained this and all she had to say was, "I know these character's background stories, you don't have to tell me. But my vision for this show does not include the numbers that I cut and I don't have to justify it. As a director and you as an actor do not have to know my reasons."

It's funny because when rehearsals began she told us that she wanted this production of ACL to be Michael Bennett's dream production and so on...and now it doesn't seem to have done that.

The entire cast is at a loss and just livid as of now.

Updated On: 6/6/05 at 10:30 PM

[cturtle]

Posted: 5/28/05 at 10:31pm

i CAN'T STAND IT when a show is CUT. that should be illegal unless the writers have officially authorized a shortened version.

[mywonderwa11]

Posted: 5/28/05 at 10:48pm

C'mon...what should I do!?!

[Jon]

Posted: 5/28/05 at 10:55pm

It IS ILLEGAL. The standard contract from Tams-Witmark, Music Theatre International or any other agency clearly states that you may not cut or change dialogue or music, you may not add lines or new music, you cannot change characters (as in changing a male role to a female).

The ONLY times they will give you some leeway is on things like shortening sections of dance music. By that i mean trimming a few measures here and there. You cannot, however, eliminate the entire "Small House of Uncle Thomas" ballet from KNG AND I - though many productions have done just that!

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 5/28/05 at 10:55pm

Well, I guess I should be happy that I didn't get cast in it, and got cast in Jesus Christ Superstar. Our show and director look to be going great!!!!!!

I can't believe she cut the 4'10" part out!!!!!! That's Connie big part, and there are no asian references in it, as I know your Connie is not asian(at least I don't think she is). However, is she tall(er), at least tall enough to make you think "there is no way she is 4'10"? I wonder what her motive is, because all she's doing is making it shorter, and you don't get to know some of the characters as well.

One thing is for sure, I can't wait to see your show. It's going to be my first time to see the "real" Chorus Line(perhaps was going to be my first time now). I've just seen the movie version.

Anyways, there is still time for something to happened, but I hope that it doesn't go wrong and they cancel the show, or something.

If nothing else, just ride it out, A Chorus Line is a great show and will still be great despite those cuts. And what weird cuts they are(I would have thought maybe Greg's part about erections would be taken out, if anything was to be).
Updated On: 5/28/05 at 10:55 PM

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 5/28/05 at 10:56pm

It's Memorial Day weekend, but I might try and CALL TAMS Tuesday and see what they say. There's absolutely NO reason for those cuts and your director is an idiot.

[dancinfan]

Posted: 5/28/05 at 11:02pm

Definitely contact TAMS yourself. Nothing wrong with that. However, be prepared to do what your director tells you to do. As an actor, there is a point at which you have to do your best with what you have left. It is possible that the audiences and critics will respond poorly to the production, and that is the director's (and the producer's) problem. But they will hopefully respond well to what you give them, which is your professional, passionate all.

[mywonderwa11]

Posted: 5/28/05 at 11:04pm

Margo, if you called TAMS that would be great. And MTVMANN, you get to work with John Priddy as a director...he was our music director for CABARET. Have fun with him, haha. Who are you in JCS?

Oh, and how do I go about contacting TAMS?

Updated On: 6/6/05 at 11:04 PM

[EternalJayJay]

Posted: 5/28/05 at 11:21pm

Wow. Your director sounds like a moron. I am so sorry that this is turning out to be such a rotten experience.

I would definitely contact Tams-Whitmark about the HIGHLY illegal cuts being made to your show.

If that doesn't do anything, I would get the other actors in the show (since they are just as angry as you are) to "strike." Don't show up to rehearsals until an agreement is made by the director that the show will be done in it's entirety. She can't very well do the show without a cast and will (most likely) take out the cuts.

I hope that helped. Keep us all informed as to what happens.

[mywonderwa11]

Posted: 5/29/05 at 12:34am

We've discussed walking, but we all want that to be a last resort. But seeing as how our director won't listen to reason and it's either her way or no way...I don't know. This is definitely the worst experience I've ever had in a show before.

[DayDreamer]

Posted: 5/29/05 at 3:26am

I've been simmering on this all night. Thanks a lot! :-P

What to do? Well... you're an actor. You grow with each experience. Some are fantastic, some are terrible. Some are ludicrous. (this one is the latter) Too bad your first experience with the show would have to be this way. I am grateful that my first experience with it was great, we got all the backgrounds as to the meanings of the numbers, the dances, the reasons for everything, and I hate it when an actor doesn't get to experience that. That was one of the things that bothered me from the most recent production I was in. But I digress....

My point is, so she's a terrible director. You're gonna have that. People are still going to pay to see your show. Newbies might like it, people who know it will be apalled. But YOU have to put your best foot forward, and do the best job you can. Because the audience is for whom you're doing this. You all did a great thing by letting her know how you felt about the production. (I can't respect a director that completely ignores her/his actor's instincts.) Now be an actor, do what the director wants as best as you can. Be proud to be on stage... give the audience a reason to clap for you during the finale. And learn from this experience for the one day when YOU might be directing a show and an actor comes up to you with his/her concerns.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 5/29/05 at 3:53am

you need to tell her that what she is doing is illegal. it doesn't matter if a song doesn't fit into a directors vision for the show, unless the licensing agreement clearly states that alternate versions for songs and scenes are available and can be used, (as I am in RAGTIME and the script we have been given has alternate scenes and author's preferred scenes clearly marked and listed) unless she has permission from the authors or the licensing company to change things she has ABSOLUTELY NO RIGHT to remove or add any mterial. not only is it illegal, the theater company can get in trouble and as an actor you have the responsibility to remind her of this, (even though she should know, but it seems sometimes that directors can read all those "illegal activity" rules and still truly believe in their hearts that it doesn't apply to them because they have a "vision"...) and you also have a responsibility to yourself as a moral human being not to take part in any illegal activity and report it to the proper copyright holders, in this case, Tams-Whitmark. Updated On: 5/29/05 at 03:53 AM

[Unknown User]

Posted: 5/29/05 at 4:06am

I think Margo meant that you yourself should call.
But I agree with the gang. This could be your best theatre story you tell your friends in the future! But as an actor, our job is to tell the story with the tools we are given: script, music, lines, and direction. I wouldn't be in any way insubordinate but I would make a phone call to Tams Witmark and share your concerns with them.
I don't know how professional a production this is, but I would never strike or walk out. That will give you (or the cast) a bad name. Be the bigger person while while doing what you can (calling Tams). I would also suggest that maybe 1 person from the group calls as opposed to everyone. If they get bombarded with calls about this one production, it could be viewed as cast mutiny for some other reason and you want to stick to the issue at hand.
Good Luck!
-david

[mywonderwa11]

Posted: 5/29/05 at 11:03am

Oh, I don't think we would ever walk...we all want to do the show, but we want to do it in its entirety.

How do i get a hold of TAMS?

[magruder]

Posted: 5/29/05 at 11:23am

The Bennett estate is very protective of A Chorus Line. Perhaps a letter or email to attorney John Breglio would do the trick?

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 5/29/05 at 11:26am

Not sure of the number, but definately call and report this. Have all your information in line to tell them: where the cuts are being made, HAVE PAGE NUMBERS TO REFER TO, and provide them with your director's contact info. They'll kick her in shape.

[Jon]

Posted: 5/29/05 at 11:49am

umm... try this:




Tams-Witmark

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 5/29/05 at 4:28pm

Mywonderwa11 -

Give us e-mail and we'll "educate" the director! LOL!!

Since my paper sends me to cover a lot of community theatre productions and often I see directors get carried away with their own "interpretations." But usually they do not re-write scripts and limit their trims to those dictated by the rights holders.

IF I reviewed the production you describe not only would I describe this in the review, I would first contact the president of the group producing the show and failing to get any satisfaction there, I would alert the rights holders. (Similarly I have happily turned over names, addresses and e-mails of people video taping shows and selling the videos.)

Your director sounds like exactly the kind of person I woukld NOT want to see directing community theatre.

[Ebonic_Singer]

Posted: 5/29/05 at 4:34pm

That's absolutely ridiculous. Those songs are integral parts of the show, they are crucial to character development and to the show in its entirety.

[GERVANILLAPOP]

Posted: 6/5/05 at 6:04pm

I almost didn't respond to this whole thread -- infact I am sure the people reading this who actually "know" skipped right over it and gave it no other thought -- BUT SINCE I AM PERSONALLY INVOLVED -- let me at least make a couple of comments until I can later take the useless time to justify this whole debate --

1) WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW ALL THE FACTS - STAY OUT OF IT
2) If you undergo a project and COMMIT to something - an adult follows through - when the project is under the direction of someone else, you have COMMITTED to do the project as DIRECTED by THAT person...
3) When you are hired to direct -- then you can have vision on a project...
4) NAME CALLING AND THROWING STONES -- childish!

thats all for now -

Oh and so you know, this is GERALD (not afraid to use my real name) who plays GREG -- and Larry is played by DUSTIN -- and I might ask these questions - Dustin why are you even concerned with a part of something you wouldn't even have been in anyway (your character doesn't sing in or play any part of 'And'?) GROW UP!

[Popular]

Posted: 6/5/05 at 6:15pm

WOW! Guess not everybody in the cast feels the same afterall.
I don't really have an opinion, just writing to tell you to just make the best of it. Everyone needs to have at least one "horror story" - maybe this is yours.

[Jon]

Posted: 6/5/05 at 6:15pm

GERALD - are you saying an "adult" is someone who honors a commitment to stay involved in a project that he knows is UNETHICAL and ILLEGAL???

What if the "director's vision" included having the actors all strip down and perform "Hello Twelve, Hello Thirteen" in the nude? Would that be OK?

[sabrelady]

Posted: 6/5/05 at 6:16pm

ME YOWWER! (HISS SNAP!!!)