LEAP OF FAITH to Close on Broadway Sunday, May 13- Page 3

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 5/8/12 at 5:04pm

humbugfoto, Bonnie & Clyde as well as Lysistrata Jones both got post-closing cast recordings, so it's definitely possible.

[kyl3fong2]

Posted: 5/8/12 at 5:22pm

And this show was nominated over Bonnie & Clyde and GHOST for best musical...WHY?

[Gypsy9]

Posted: 5/8/12 at 5:25pm

bk: Didn't Columbia Records fund the cast album of MY FAIR LADY? If so, is that because they were one of the backers of that show?

[bk]

Posted: 5/8/12 at 5:39pm

Yes, in the Golden Age right up through 2004 record labels ALWAYS paid for the cast recordings. I was asked to come to NY and present a budget to record Amour, with the producers paying. I presented the budget, but they were a little nervous that I hadn't quite begun Kritzerland yet (that would be a year later) and because one of the producers knew the owner of Ghostlight, they asked him for a budget - he gave them one higher than mine (of course), but then was handed mine and that's how that was done. And with that new model, EVERYTHING changed. There have only been a handful of cast albums made in the last eight years that were not paid for by the producers. The labels who release the albums paid for by others only get a distribution fee and do not hold the copyright in the recording.

In the Golden Age, not only did producers pay, but as your example below, they also occasionally invested in the show in order to lock up the cast album rights. These days are very different, as we live in a different world than even a decade ago and cast albums sell a finite number of copies, and usually not enough to ever get the cost back to the producers.

[deltatee]

Posted: 5/8/12 at 5:43pm

Well that was an interesting stint. Kind of a waste of a nomination.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/8/12 at 5:55pm

A waste? What does that mean? It's not the job of the Tony Awards to promote a show, but to honor what they deem to be the best of the year.

[labwyfan]

Posted: 5/8/12 at 5:58pm

dramamma, do you think that's what they did or did most vote for it because they wanted it to succeed since they were somehow connected?

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 5/8/12 at 6:00pm

We enjoyed it and would love a cast album but doubt it will happen.

[tazber]

Posted: 5/8/12 at 6:11pm

Connected?

No, I'm pretty sure they nominated Leap because Ghost and LJ are both horrible horrible shows. Leap obviously isn't great, but it's easily the best of those three.

The truth is that B&C should have been nominated. But that was never going to happen.

Updated On: 5/8/12 at 06:11 PM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/8/12 at 6:14pm

I don't know why they did. It's not like ANYTHING else had a shot of actually winning. (And I dont think that Leap had any chance any way.)

I don't see how any other show would have been less of a "waste"

[roadmixer]

Posted: 5/8/12 at 6:27pm

I wouldn't be surprised if there isn't lobbying involved when the nominating committee is considering nominees. It is human nature to try to gain every advantage. I think that we would be naive to believe that if a show has more connections to established producers that this is not exploited when it comes time to make a decision.

[tazber]

Posted: 5/8/12 at 6:52pm

From Alan Menken's twitter:

Alan Menken ? @AIMenken

LEAP will live on, just not on Broadway. And the need for cast recording(s) is still very much on my agenda.

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 5/8/12 at 7:02pm

It's going to move to New World and pair up with that other piece of trash, Million Dollar Quartet, and sell a two for one sleep in your seat deal with a free pillow thrown in. I hear - if you order early, you get to choose whether it's Raul or Elvis on your pillow.

[bigbelterbaby]

Posted: 5/8/12 at 7:06pm

I bet the Tony nominating committee is pissed. The only reason this show was nominated for Best Musical was to save jobs and help the producers raise ticket sales, and it's still closing early. doh! ah well...they tried.

Updated On: 5/8/12 at 07:06 PM

[thespian geek]

Posted: 5/8/12 at 7:29pm

Maybe they can take their nomination back, lol

[GatorNY]

Posted: 5/8/12 at 7:32pm

I liked it, and I'm glad that I had a chance to see it. I had only ever seen Raul in Chitty, and this was much more enjoyable than that was so long ago. I would have loved to have had a chance to see Louis Hobson go on as Rev. Nightengale. WIshing everyone all the best...thank you all for your hard work and performances.

I'm seeing GHOST on Saturday. As of now, I would have rather have seen Bonnie and Clyde take the 4th nomination. I still have not seen Spiderman though. I am one of the patrons who DID like Lysistrata Jones, and I actually think that was a better "total package" than Leap of Faith.

[Donthatecongratulate]

Posted: 5/8/12 at 8:02pm

Like I said on a previous thread, it was nominated over Ghost & B&C because Ghost's set is too expensive to tour & B&C wouldn't have a big touring audience given the content & over 14 rating.

As Menken hinted, this will probably tour & KILL in the Bible belt. They closed early to save money FOR the cast album which will only help touring ticket sales.

Unfortunately, politics play a huge role in nomination choices. I just feel bad for all of the actors who will be out of work, but that's the way it goes.

[Kalimba]

Posted: 5/8/12 at 8:07pm

My future husband has been in 3 flop shows at this theatre. I think he should avoid the St. James at all costs from now on.

[choitoy]

Posted: 5/8/12 at 8:18pm

I wonder if we should keep an eye on Broadway Record's page...

It seems like they've been picking up all the casualties of this season (B&C, Lysistrata, and now the Nick Jonas How To Succeed...)

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 5/8/12 at 8:54pm

I admit back in the day when I looked forward to the Tonys everyear as my only real connection to what was currently on Broadway, I used to be disappointed when flop shows closed before they could have a proper performance at the Awards--but now that we routinely get 5+ minute highlight clips online, etc, it doesn't seem as important to me...

[Jonwo]

Posted: 5/8/12 at 9:12pm

Alan Menken must be one of the very few composers to have both a hit and a flop in the same season.

[DirectorGP]

Posted: 5/8/12 at 9:19pm

WOW! Saw it Sunday and really enjoyed it... Raul was great and the show was a pleasant surprise. So sad. Bravo Leap of Faith! You done good!

[cordialcherry]

Posted: 5/8/12 at 9:23pm

I was actually surprised to see the closing announcement just because I figured they'd try to stick it out to the Tonys. Last week's gross was dismal though, so at the same time, it was stupid to think so.

[Luscious]

Posted: 5/8/12 at 9:25pm

"It's not the job of the Tony Awards to promote a show, but to honor what they deem to be the best of the year."

If they thought it was one of the best of the year, why didn't they nominate it in any other categories? At least GHOST received 3 nominations. -- Saw GHOST last week and loved it! As did the 3 friends I saw it with. Most fun I've had at the theatre in ages. The fourth slot should have gone to GHOST.

Updated On: 5/8/12 at 09:25 PM

[Matt2]

Posted: 5/8/12 at 11:05pm

People keep saying that LOF was given the fourth slot because it had the best potential on the touring circuit. But if it couldn't find an audience in LA or Broadway, will it really have any potential to find a receptive audience touring across the country? I still don't think Leap of Faith will do any better on tour than shows like Bonnie & Clyde, Ghost or Lysistrata Jones.