Marc Shaiman responds to Michael John La Chiusa- Page 4

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 2:06pm

Sweeney is based very specifically on Christopher Bond's play of Sweeney Todd that Sondheim saw in London in the early 70s. There had been dozens of Sweeney Todd plays for more than a century in London and none of them interested him. The Bond play was different because it provided underlying motivations for why Sweeney did what he did, unlike the others the just made him a mindless crazed killer. He purchased the rights to Bond's play and Wheeler crafted the book closely based on Bond's original work.

A Little Night Music is based on Ingmar Berman's film "Smiles of a Summer Night." "Passion" is based on Ettore Scola's film "Passione d'Amore." Forum is based on the plays of Plautus. Company is based on a series of unproduced one acts by George Furth (so I guess it technically wasn't based previously existing work, but one could quibble). Merrily, as stated, was based on the Kaufman and Hart play of the same name. Into the Woods is inspired by fairy tales and Bruno Bettleheim's "The Uses of Enchantment." Assassins is based on actual historical figures (as was Bounce). The Frogs is based on Aristophanes' play of the same name.

And none of any of that diminishes the extraordinary achievements of Sondheim or any of his book writers.

Updated On: 8/8/05 at 02:06 PM

[BroadwayBound06]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 2:06pm

Margo, in no way was I saying they are less worthy, they all are incredible shows, fully worthy of their acclaim. But they are not like the ones emerging now.

And JoeKv99 I didn't mean to offend anyone. And never did the words easy escape from my mouth, and I'm sorry if it sounded like that. I Lion King just wasn't my cup of tea, and I am not familiar with Aida so I don't know, but the few songs i've heard i enjoyed.

I'm sorry I didn't mean to start a fight.

And Craig, message well recieved.
Updated On: 8/8/05 at 02:06 PM

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 2:16pm

Much of Sondheim's imagery in 'Sweeney' does come directly from Bond's play and it's also pretty much a scene-for-scene adaptation.

[TheColorOfFlame]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 2:16pm

Excuse me, but:

If a show is the Broadway pinnacle of entertainment and high art, it WILL succeed. Financially and critically.

I don't think I need to list past examples, we are all seasoned enough to be familiar with those perfect blends of heart and brains, shows that ran for years, that thrilled audiences and critics alike.

If a show is really good, it's gonna do well.

This is a fact that Mr. LaChiusa, in regards to his own works, seems terrified to admit.

[pianodan]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 2:18pm

OK, now I'm off-topic.
Robbie: you got it, but it'll only be the first verse/chorus because the 'group' chorus won't be as strong up a step...

LCZ: "And will Peter Mills' PURSUIT OF PERSEPHONE ever come back to life?"
Yes, it certainly will, but you gotta be patient! :) There are song snippets up now (piano/voice only) on Pete's site, http://pcmills.tripod.com ... and there will be a "concert reading" at a major venue in the fall/winter, date TBD.

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 2:20pm

Marc Shaiman - you are a rock star!

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 2:22pm

ok, to lighten things up here...

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?thread=862575&dt=080805021923

[TheEnchantedHunter]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 2:27pm

As always, JohnPopa, you are the lone voice of sanity/reality crying out in the wilderness.


TheEnchantedHunter
Ted Hunter, Cane, NH

[HotelActorBrooklyn]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 2:54pm

I usually just read the message boards to see what others have to say about random theatrical topics..but I was able to read MJL's essay and Marc Shaiman's response. I have to say that I am a huge fan of MJL's "The Wild Party" and "Hairspray" respectively but I really don't think that Mr. La Chiusa should be expressing his clearly passionate views on the topic of the American Musical if he wishes to continue getting his works produced luckily on the Great White Way. I know that in the stage artists' mind, the "green" is the farthest thing from his/her circle of thought but look at the success of Hairspray and the not-success of MJL's shows. That is just dollar wise. Has anyone ever heard the phrase "burning bridges"? How can Mr. LaChuisa accuse and bring down these extremely succefull artists such as Marc Shaiman, Jack O'Brien, Jerry Mitchell, Mel Brooks, ect...? They are all "working" in the theatre and paths are bound to cross at some point. I must have seen the same actor at the last 10 auditions I have went on and after the 3rd run-in, I said to myself , "I am going to work with him one day"! Although I do appreciate criticism and open discussion about the theatre world, I can honestly say that MJL's essay was a little much but I also do appreciate Mr. Shaiman's response. I think everyone should kiss and make up!!

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 3:11pm

I'm sorry but that's spoken like a true actor who's always looking for work. Which I am one. I for one don't agree with "Keep your mouth shut or you will offend someone who can help you". Please, LaChiusa's article has been tilted here because 1 person reponded to it. It really was a general cry for change as opposed to a personal attack on 1 show. I honestly don't think LaChiusa will have hurt his chances of being produced. I really don't think he cares. I don't see what's 'too much' about his critism. You also should consider the readers. It was intended for opera enthusiasts and most opera singers I know, share his views.

[pab]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 3:37pm

I am so tired of this "original musical" argument.

I never saw the movie version of "Hairspray" and I never saw the movie version of "The Light In The Piazza" but I did see both musicals on Broadway and I enjoyed the hell out of each of them. As a matter of fact I've seen "Hairspray" three times because after seeing it first time I decided that friends of mind should see it as well so the next two times I went, I took people with me.

I go to the theatre to be entertained and that could mean to laugh or to cry or to be provoked. I don't care about the genesis of the piece as long as it's done well. It could have been created by Satan for all I care.

I recently saw "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" and throughly enjoyed it. I own the DVD of this movie and I had seen that a few times but I was totally entertained the evening that I saw this show on Broadway and I'm sure that I will see it again.

I think that there is a bit of snobbery involve in this "original musical" argument. Somehow it's more "pure" if it's written from scratch? What kind of bullsh*t is that? Who is supposed to decide for me what I should go and see see? "Hairspray" works because it's a good and entertaining show and it's still doing good business because people want to see it.

I don't care if it originated as a play, movie, novel, short story or newspaper article. If it's enjoyable and entertaining people will go and see it and I don't need someone trying to tell me if I should be enjoying it.

Yes, there are musicals out there that I don't particularly enjoy but that's a matter of my personal taste and everyone's taste is going to be different when it comes to any kind of entertainment.

[WindyCityActor]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 3:37pm

I know, it's rather bad form to ask.....

But does any one have a copy of the "Opera News" article that they can forward to me?

I don't to comment until I've read it.

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 3:39pm

send over that guy in your icon, and I'll personally hand it to him!

(the article, the article!!)

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 3:40pm

ummm there's a link connected in the first couple of posts, I think anyway...

[Hanna from Hamburg]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 3:41pm

http://www.metoperafamily.org/operanews/issue/article.aspx?id=1261&issueID=50

[WindyCityActor]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 3:52pm

Well....to be honest....Michael John La Chiusa sounds very arrogant and pissed off, and looking for a fight. So if he gets a huge bitch-slap from whomever, he shouldn't be surpised.

I agree about his comments rearding Mamma Mia, and all those juke box muscials...but whole piece seemed to be about raising a stink.

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 4:04pm

oh no!! does this mean your icon isn't coming over to get a hard copy??

(of the article, the article!!)

[PalJoey]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 4:04pm

This argument would be a little more exciting if I could honestly say I had ever liked a Michael John La Chiusa musical.

But I was annoyed by First Lady Suite, bored by Marie Christine and angered by The Wild Party.

So game and match to Shaiman, who consistently entertains.

MasterLCZ--you know I respect your taste, but I think that MJLC hurts the cause of getting new "serious" works produced by boring his audiences so much. Producers look at the work of the emerging writers you mention and say, "Why should I produce THAT? No one wanted to see The Wild Party."

I suggest Mr. LaChiusa rent Preston Sturges's film "Sullivan's Travels" and read S. N. Behrman's play "No Time for Comedy." Both are about pretentious writers. Both are COMEDIES. And both would make excellent, timely musicals.

But you know what? I'd rather see the Shaiman/Wittman versions than the LaChiusa versions.

[Thenardier]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 4:10pm

Too bad MJLC never criticized the work.

Would it mean more or less if he were an outsider?

He never said, "Hairsrpay sucks big time."

And Marc never criticized LaChiusa's shows in his comments.

I suggest you follow Marc's lead and (not) do the same!

Updated On: 8/8/05 at 04:10 PM

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 4:11pm

"As always, JohnPopa, you are the lone voice of sanity/reality crying out in the wilderness."

I am? That's probably a scary proposition for most everyone else but thanks!

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 4:11pm

Just because YOU don't like it PalJoey, doesn't mean everyone's bored.

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 4:12pm

Well, just because YOU like it, doesn't mean everyone else isn't bored, either.

[Thenardier]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 4:16pm

HELLO!

OK!

I like how the level of this "debate" just dropped thanks to PalJoey.

LaChiusa's never said anything about a show being good/bad...neither did Marc....

You missed the point of the article by saying that LC's work is boring, etc.

And I never saw it live, but I quite enjoy listening to the "boring" CD of Marie Christine. And, to be a hypocrite for a minute, I can listen to that way more than Hairspray.

(Sorry, Marc, I still love Hairspray...And I gotta see Darlene! She was Miss Gardner! ::sigh::)

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 4:18pm

Umm when did I ever say that Johnpopa?

[leefowler]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 4:22pm

Correct me if I'm wrong, but my guess is that Benjamin Britten had too much class than to attack Irving Berlin, or others who wrote hit songs at the same time he was writing modern English Operas. God, if Mahler could love Johann Strauss, you'd think Chuisa could muster a little affection for Shaiman.

Of course, Britten was quite a bit more successful than Mr. La Chuisa, so he had less of an axe to grind. Not to mention the fact that he was able to get along with just 2 names.