Official Kickstarter to get Spring Awakening to perform on the Tonys — Page 10

E. riley said: "HogansHero said: "RW3 said: "I can't wait to see Davenport to try to explain himself for all of this once the announcement of Spring Awakening performing comes out and they haven't reached their Kickstarter goal yet."

If you read this thread, and I know that's a lot to ask of a person, you will learn that the goal will be met, by a last minute wash donation from the funder. That, in fact, is what was intended all along-to subsidize the cost with the misguided contributions of people who have good souls.

Okay...I am one of the dupes. This show changed my daughters life. I am a widow raising kids and really pulled money I didn't have to contribute 100.00. There is so much conjecture on this thread. Perhaps there is producer greed involved but can you really say with certainty? I would really appreciate it if someone could tell me if they KNOW......for certain or if this is just conjecture.

Not just based on producers reputation etc. I have this ( as does my girl all over our FB trying to raise money. She is literally upset that the dollars have stalled) I hope all this negativity is fact based because in the end I really want Deaf West and this beautiful production to have this moment.

"



Believe me when I say that I loved this production. Thought it was really beautiful and changed the way I understood the show. That said, this whole thing does seem fishy, but none of us know for sure what is going on. Like someone previously said, the schedule is set for Tony performances which is why we are all skeptical. My hesitation and skepticism is not to bash or inhibit the show at all.

I also loved this production and I hate so much about this kickstarter and how Davenport and Deaf West have either ignored or very, VERY selectively answered any questions about this on social media.

I've been a fan of Deaf West's work since Big River, but this has really soured a great deal of how I think about them.

That's what's been said more than once in this thread, yes.

elphaba.scares.me said: "Isn't Deaf West one of those LA theatres that doesn't pay its actors any salary? Maybe they should raise some money for that instead.

"

This just inspired my new thought: what is the role of the unions in all of this? (Is there a role of the unions in all of this?) I don't know about Deaf West/L.A. theatres, so I won't speak to that, but Spring Awakening was a Broadway production. Davenport says it's not "fiscally responsible" for the producers to pay for the cast to perform, which is why they're asking the public to pay. Is AEA ok with producers paying their actors in this way? Is IATSE ok with a producer trying to pay crew this way, etc. Whatever unions might be involved here.

eta: I know the whole Kickstarter part is nonsense, they're either performing or not performing, and there's no June 11th deadline to perform on June 12th. I'm just wondering what unions have to say about this kind of advertising/soliciting of money, in order to supposedly be the only way for a producer to pay their members.

Updated On: 5/31/16 at 10:19 AM

@Anakela

What possible basis would a union have to object to the source of funds for a show? Many shows have been financed with stolen money or money amassed via fraud. I can't even imagine what your line of thinking is on this...

Anakela said: "elphaba.scares.me said: "Isn't Deaf West one of those LA theatres that doesn't pay its actors any salary? Maybe they should raise some money for that instead.

"

This just inspired my new thought: what is the role of the unions in all of this? (Is there a role of the unions in all of this?) I don't know about Deaf West/L.A. theatres, so I won't speak to that, but Spring Awakening was a Broadway production. Davenport says it's not "fiscally responsible" for the producers to pay for the cast to perform, which is why they're asking the public to pay. Is AEA ok with producers paying their actors in this way? Is IATSE ok with a producer trying to pay crew this way, etc. Whatever unions might be involved here.

eta: I know the whole Kickstarter part is nonsense, they're either performing or not performing, and there's no June 11th deadline to perform on June 12th. I'm just wondering what unions have to say about this kind of advertising/soliciting of money, in order to supposedly be the only way for a producer to pay their members.



"

How do roundabout and Lincoln center pay their cast and crew? From donations. So I think the unions are fine with it.

Thanks g.d.e.l.g.i. I appreciate your kindness. The truth is seeing this show with my girl more than once was as uplifting for me as it was for my daughter. Anything cynical inside melted away watching those kids. So true and open. They turned me into a pile of goo in that most special way only the theatre can.

So to read this thread. To know this ...it is not a tragedy in the scheme of life but I almost wish I didn't know. It deeply bums out my little heart. Sounds like you produce and maintain your integrity and that's a good thing.Genuine kudos for that. Davenport sounds like a jerk.

I just can't believe anything nefarious about DW or their Artistic Director

D J Kurs though.

This just makes me sad.

Valentina3 said: "$86.7 k... 10 days to go. Doesn't look too good."

It's been expressed in the thread numerous times already, but you do realize a last-minute donor is going to come along to "save the day," right? With these wily fundraising methods, he's not going to let $86,700 slip between his fingers.

Right. I highly doubt he consulted all of them to approve the copy.

There are multiple cast members who are promoting it, though. Multiple. And we all know that they know they're performing. They're probably in rehearsal now. Deaf West is letting this happen, as well as everyone involved with the show. I'm not blaming anyone but Davenport, but the rest of the people involved certainly aren't stupid.

So, post-Muringate, I guess BWW doesn't have to be nice to producers of shows? Only the cast members?

"So, post-Muringate, I guess BWW doesn't have to be nice to producers of shows? Only the cast members?"

That horse is long dead, no sense in continuing to beat it, pal.

playbill-love said: "I just think that like as someone very young, the same age as some of the cast members, I would have a lot of trouble with saying no to someone who is essentially my boss telling me that I will have this excellent once in a lifetime opportunity and it might not happen if I don't promote it enough."

But they must already KNOW they're going to have this opportunity. They're not going to throw this thing together over night once the money "comes in." Nor will they put in all of the work to prep for this performance while fearing their efforts may go to waste. That's just not plausible.

Updated On: 6/1/16 at 06:54 PM