No Springtime for Crawford! — Page 2

Just curious.....has anyone who has posted in this thread ever worked with Crawford or are the statements about his ego based on a gossip column (or two?)? "Everyone knows" is seldom the truth. I know people here have read things in gossip columns about other performers and have roundly rejected it. I am honestly wondering why there is the willingness to believe whatever is said about him and not about other stars. It seems that it becomes fashionable to diss certain performers and to revel in their mis-steps. Liza Minnelli gets more than her share of grief, and Bernadette Peters was the brunt of all manner of nasty speculation earlier this year. Neither has done anything so outrageously disgraceful to earn the scorn heaped on them. Nor has Mr. Crawford....he tried something different and it didn't work. Shows fail every year. Why all the glee over DOTV? Why does it matter so much (especially to those who profess no interest in him)?

I do not know Michael Crawford, and my only contact was to have a Playbill signed by him. I cannot speak to his professionalism because I have never worked with him but I am not willing to take the word of a columnist from the Post and his unnamed source either. I can speak to his performance in DOTV because I saw it. I actually liked DOTV but it was as much...or more...because of the sets, costumes, lighting, music and the fabulous cast as it was because of him. I didn't like it more because of him and I likely wouldn't have liked it less without him. Whatever changes he may have made to it did not ruin it for me at all. I do not think the show deserved the scorn heaped on it, and I have to wonder about that too, if those who are writing with such glee of it's demise saw it after it was "frozen" or if they are basing their opinions on previews (which I didn't see so I refrain from commenting on them). Or worse, based simply the gossip that is bandied about regarding it.

I really can't take the comments about his professionalism (or lack of it) seriously from people who haven't worked with him, nor can I take opinions about his talent (or lack of it) seriously from those who haven't seen him perform. And I apply those standards to comments made about every performer.

So, folks...give us the real scoop. What do YOU _really_ know?

And...I suspect I will get the "I'm entitled to my opinions" line back again. And I agree, everyone IS entitled to their opinions. Opinions without knowledge or experience, however, are just plain ignorant rantings and ought to be challenged.

"I saw Michael Crawford in Phantom, and in Dance of the Vampires and enjoyed him in both. I also know several people that have worked with him over the years, and I can tell you for a fact that he's a kind, gratious man who's earned every bit of that press through very hard work. I hope he finds another project soon. "

I agree!!!!!

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Sunfish, I'm not going to quote your entire message but it was carefully thought out and well-balanced. Thank you.

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I'm nearly as ancient as Michael so I'll soon be well past my sell by date!

*chuckle* I think there’s life in the Old Bat yet! Or which do you prefer–a cane or a powerchair?

Please, don’t hit me with that cane or run me over with that powerchair!

D

Updated On: 9/28/03 at 06:34 PM