Interesting Info on Dracula

[jayem1968]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 5:44pm

One of my bosses just had lunch with Tom Hewitt's agent. And here's the skinny: the agent saw Dracula in both La Jolla recently in NYC on opening night. His comment was "Wow. They really f***ed that show up".

So there you have it. I saw the show in La Jolla and found much merit in the production - so when I read the reviews in the papers and on this board I was taken aback.

It would be interesting to see the show in NYC to note the changes - but it looks like the show will not be around much longer (no, didn't get any "for sures" on the date). Sigh.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 5:51pm

Sounds like they pulled a J&H on Dracula as well.

[bronxboundexpress]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 6:45pm

How much money do agents make?

[jayem1968]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 11:16pm

Think it is about 10% to 15%.

[CurtainUp2]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 11:53pm

As the virgin bride said on her wedding night... "I find that hard to swallow".
The reviews for the La Jolla production of "Dracula" weren't any better than the current Broadway production. So... what did they f**k up? I didn't see it in La Jolla, but I did see it on Broadway, and IMHO the production was excellent! And by production I mean... sets, costumes, lighting, and effects. IMO the problems were with the book and the lyrics. And I can't imagine that either did anything but improve since La Jolla. How could they have gotten worse? In any event... I still found it to be a fun night of theatre and am looking forward to seeing it again next month.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 11:57pm

I do hope Dracula lurks around for a while, I found it very entertaining.

[rockfenris2005]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 2:18am

I'd like to think I'm a good friend of the lyricist, but I haven't had the courage to confront him since the opening. Also, he didn't appear to have attended the premiere (judging by the photos). He's now working on Brighton Rock, with his lifetime collaborator, so I hope that works out well for him. It was a shame with Dracula.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 7:46am

anywhere to find reviews from la jolla?

[jayem1968]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 12:32pm

I have not seen the New York production - so my comments only relate to published reviews and comments on these boards.

Costumes and Sets: From the pictures I have seen (also provided on the website), the costumes and sets in La Jolla were superior to the New York production. They were more in the "gothic vein" and truly enhanced the production.

Score: the score was very thin in the La Jolla production - but it had much potential. I understand that about "40%" of the music was changed - but the reviews still report "thin, flat, etc."

Too Much Flying: there was only a few instances of flying in the La Jolla production. So the "too much" must have been added for the NYC show.

Terrible staging in NYC - again, I have not seen the NYC production. However, the La Jolla staging was wonderful (in fact, during intermission that was the most mentioned aspect of the show).

Relationship between Dracula and Mina - the NYC critics have repeatedly mentioned the relationship between the two main characters as being cold and lifeless. The actress playing Mina in La Jolla did not have the strongest vocals but the heat between them was electric.

True the critics did not like the La Jolla production (again, mostly due to the score). However, the audiences seemed to love it - I was pretty much expecting the same reaction from New York audiences. Judging from the general consenus on these boards - the show is simply not good. Again, I wonder how many people bashing the show actually have seen it (or are they just expressing an opinion of a friend who has seen the show).

Hopefully, the show will find its audience and I'll get the chance to see it again and compare!

[sabrelady]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 12:34pm

(mad cackles of evil delight)

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 12:37pm

Where is La Jolla? I've been embarrassed to ask.

[jayem1968]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 12:38pm

It's just outside of San Diego (north)

[Corine2]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 12:56pm

You would sit through it twice.
When I saw Dracula, the agony song was blasting in my ears.
(Whenever I see a truly horrid production it goes off,Dracula was in the company of Jackie Mason's musical, Imaginary Friends,
Adult Entertainment)
It takes a lot for me to not like a show.
It is a shame about Dracula. The sets, costumes and talented performers are a great waste.
I love Tom, Melissa and Kelli they just need a better score.
Sad! And I heard they invested 14 million dollars.
AGONY! Updated On: 8/25/04 at 12:56 PM

[umgeoboy]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 12:59pm

show was about 7.5 mill dollars to bring to broadway...

[Corine2]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 1:00pm

Sorry. I stand corrected. My source said 14.

[umgeoboy]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 1:01pm

it's cool most of the published numbers point to about 7.5mill which is surprising due to the complexity of the sets

[uncageg]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 1:13pm

I agree with Mister Matt. They ruined J&H when it got to Broadway. I saw it a few times in Denver before it opened in New York and it was great. I couldn't understand how they could have cut "Bring on the Men" from the show. (I seem to remember them putting it back in somewhere in the middle to the end of the run) It was back in during the tour after it's B'way opening. So sad about Dracula. I hope it hangs on so I can see it in Oct.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 4:31pm

I will give the devil his due. Dizzy Des CAN do spectacle- emotion, intimacy, simplicity these are simply not part of his theatrical vocabulary. ( hee hee hee)

[magruder]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 4:37pm

"Bring on the Men" never went in to the Broadway production at any point.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 4:43pm

Some people are so synical and wish ill on a show. You can not like a show but it seems like people relish on the fact that a show is not doing well. It is worse then a bunch of Bitchy Queens at a S&M bar (stand and model) bitching about someone with 6% body fat instead of 5.

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 8:10pm

We wish ill on a show when the show is bad and cheating people (and the Broadway community) of truly legitimate theatre.