Graymerchant said: "While the director plays a major role in the design, it's worthy to point out that while the director is the captain of the "ship", the producer(s) own the "ship". Producers sometimes push what they want and trump the director & designers.
"
Sometimes, but not if they hire Julie Taymor. Anyone who hasn't been in a coma for the past 20 years knows Miss Taymor will rule your show if you hire her. (See chapter entitled "The Muscle" in William Goldman's THE SEASON.)