Marc Shaiman on MEMPHIS.... — Page 2

"In COLORED LIGHTS, Kander and Ebb talked about how Harold Prince got all pissy when he saw CHICAGO because he thought it was a direct rip of CABARET. Similarities here. At least Prince didn't have the audacity to threaten a lawsuit...jokingly or otherwise."

I think Hal (who I think is a genius and who I respect more than anyone in the theatre, except for Stephen Sondheim) was going through his important-itis, huge-ego phase after having three tremendous artistic successes with Sondheim and after having Cabaret be the success it was, etc. I don't think he would have sued old frends Kander and Ebb or ex-old friend Fosse. Or maybe he was jealous Chicago was making more money than the equally wonderful Pacific Overtures?

And Prince later had Fosse do some choreography for GRIND, so I'm sure it was a minor kerfuffle at best.

Once again, similarities.

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"And Prince later had Fosse do some choreography for GRIND, so I'm sure it was a minor kerfuffle at best."

And he hired Nicole for Phantom and (I think) sat with Gwen at Phantom's opening night in New York. I think the wound between Fosse and Prince was mended before Fosse passed.

Don't forget the Urinetown folks!

Also, theatrediva and lizzie curry who makes up a fake quote about me in his/her signature"

Yea.

Because my signature quote has nothing to do with you. The quote that I posted in this thread, you actually said.


What an idiot! lol!

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I know this is probably ancient history but what did Marc Shaiman say?

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It was a Marc Shaiman-style mostly joking accusation of plagiarism, likening Memphis to Hairsray. It was a silly throw-away thing to say, and he deleted it before it began to get traction as a story. No big deal. Non-story then, non-story now. What on earth would possess you to seek this out and bump it?

Updated On: 3/26/11 at 07:25 PM

ummm you can INsert "you cant' stop the beat" in the last song of memphis and it almost fits perfectly.

I think it's more about funding and business models. I'm sure Hairspray came up because it was a hit but it's a different take on the same social
Issue. Hairspray is more about aspirations and projection, Memphis about "the cold hard facts that created America." With all the money and talent involved (we're not talking Ed Wood here) quality isn't usually the issue. It's more about personal taste.