Marc Shaiman responds to Michael John La Chiusa- Page 5

[PalJoey]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 4:25pm

Don't blame me. I only went to see three of his musicals.

And I'll go see the next one too. Maybe I won't be bored this time.

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 4:38pm

Actually LeeFowler, this talk about class and such has me a bit confused. Since when is it classless to talk about work you think should be better. It'd be classless if personal attacks were made which they weren't. Wagner attacked I don't know how many composer. Either way your point doesn't fully hold up because Britten wrote operas and Berlin didn't. I've heard on several occasions in print and in person people like Hal Prince and Stephen Sondheim critique other composers work. For instance, it's no secret that Sondheim is not a fan of the lyrics of Lorenz Hart. He has pointed out what he finds faults in them. I think that's totally valid and that's what LaChiusa did. It has nothing to do with success or failure. Sondheim is one of the most artistcally successful composers of musical theatre.

[robbiej]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 4:39pm

I guess it's always more acceptable to be critical of the dead. They can't fire back!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 4:41pm

Robbie, as soon as I'm dead, you can feel free to agree with Thenardier about me.

[Thenardier]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 4:43pm

I have not yet made a personal attack against you.

You could only be so lucky.

No, just kidding.

[robbiej]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 4:45pm

Child...I'm like Florence...Nobody's side and all!

Mama learned a loooooong time ago that it's best to watch a catfight from the sidelines...preferably holding one of the participant's baby...or earrings, at the very least!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 4:47pm

I love you too, 'Nardie.

If we can't disagree about musicals on broadwayworld--where the hell are we supposed to go?!?

[Thenardier]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 4:48pm

:-/ Shay Stadium

[kidmanboy]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 4:50pm

I think people are too quick to clump shows together, and should instead look at shows individually. There are also different groups of people that different things appeal to. There isn't just one broadway audience giving everything a thumbs up or down. For example, I didn't find Light In the Piazza to move me as much as it moved some others, however it did affect someone and therefore the writers were successful. Every show is going to have someone who likes it and someone who is bored out of their mind.
Personally I am kind of sick of the "musical theater is dead" arguement. There have always been good shows that haven't made it and bad shows that run for years and years. I think writers should be more concerned with creating a piece that does what it sets out to do and uses the theatrical setting to its advantage. That said I highly anticipate both Mr. Shaiman's next work and Mr. LaChiusa's next work

[Hanna from Hamburg]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 4:51pm

Marc is displaying what class is all about. He responded to attacks on his artistry, but didn't bring anyone else into it -- even when someone asked him what he thought of another composer. La Chiusa COULD HAVE made his point about the funding of new projects without bashing other shows / artists that have been successful. It is a shame that getting new works heard is a difficult venture, but unfortunately it's a reality; especially when some of these works will not be embraced by a large segment of the population. Anyone who is successful in reaching a wide audience should NOT be attacked.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 4:52pm

Only a big theatre queen would misspell the name of "Shea Stadium."

[Thenardier]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 4:54pm

actually, there IS a shAY stadium




(I had a counselor that played there.)

Updated On: 8/8/05 at 04:54 PM

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 4:57pm

Yeah, I'm sure you were referring to that "world famous" soccer stadium in Halifax Town, UK when you wrote "Shay" before.

Updated On: 8/8/05 at 04:57 PM

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 4:57pm

Updated On: 8/8/05 at 04:57 PM

[Thenardier]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 4:59pm

carry over from the soccer thread


PLUS, I've always wanted to go abroad.

Updated On: 8/8/05 at 04:59 PM

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 5:07pm

"Not to mention the fact that he was able to get along with just 2 names."

Lee, that statement is more offensive than ANYTHING LaChiusa has said about Shaiman/Wittman.

I am not a fan of LaChiusa's work either - and I admit to be being bored by MARINE CHRISTINE (haven't seen the others). And I think HAIRSPRAY sounds better and better with each passing season. But I know there are people who really love the score to MC (WILD PARTY even more so) just like there are who like Phillip Glass, Charles Ives or other composers I don't care for.

To give him credit, LaChiusa is writing exactly what he wants, even if most people don't like it or are bored by it. He's following his own drummer. And to rag on him because he hasn't had a hit show and is bitter (and yes, he sure sounds that way in his article) would be like an art dealer saying "Hey, Van Gogh - you haven't sold one friggin' canvas! Why don't you get hep and be like Bouguereau and paint some big-eyed kids or big boobed nymphs? THAT'S what the public really loves!"

And Thank you Joey, but I honestly don't think LaChiusa hurts the others because "nobody liked Wild Party" - One could say that about most Sondheim shows, too. "Yeah, yeah, the Musical elite loves them, but they don't make a dime." I don't think one has to do much with the other.

But It's funny...for many years I was bored by a lot of Sondheim too. And paintings by Poussin elicited big yawns from me. Then one day I actually find myself actually liking them - they both got under my skin in positive ways. That's what some art does - sometimes ones first exposure just annoys the sh*t of you. I don't totally understand Sondheim all the time, but now I look at Sodheim and Poussin and pictures and scores that I used to think were cold and overly cerebral I think are now passionate and exciting. Maybe in the future I'll find myself listening to MARIE CHRISTINE and loving it. Or maybe I'll still be bored senseless.

And just maybe, LaChiusa might have a PIAZZA in his future.

Updated On: 8/8/05 at 05:07 PM

[Borstalboy]

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

Well put, Master.

[Thenardier]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 5:14pm

Master - excellent job.

[Thenardier]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 5:14pm

P.S. go listen to WP

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 5:16pm

Definitely well put, Master.

I just honestly think both of these men deserve our respect. They obviously pour their heart and soul into their music. I think it's completely rude and unfair to start knocking LaChiusa because he hasn't had a hit musical. It's obvious to me, that he puts his heart into everything, and I can only wish him success in the future.

I am also so glad that PIAZZA found it's audience. It's a shame LaChiusa's shows didn't find an audience like Piazza did.

[Thenardier]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 5:19pm

I think Idina will be the best thing to happen to his career...

Then again, Mandy and Eartha MADE WP great.

LC definitely knows how to write for his characters and he has been fortunate to get great actors.

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 5:21pm

I really do look foward for SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE..

With, Idina, Marc, and Mary. What a cast!

[gettinhep]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 5:22pm

Are they selling tickets to the Shubert Alley Slapfest?

[WonderBoy]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 5:37pm

While I wholeheartedly agree with what Mr. LaChiusa said in general, I don't think it was necessarily the best way of arguing his statement. While I really love both composers work I find that Mr. Shaiman would have taken the higher road by not publicly responding to him. I feel that Mr. LaChiusa's sting hit home a little to hard for Mr. Shaiman and that is why he felt the need to reply. Childish behavior, foolishness and ego are terrible things but unfortunately they do indeed run rampant in this business. I look forward to both of their new works in the near future.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 5:37pm

Updated On: 8/8/05 at 05:37 PM