Saw the "Show business" preview

[Fenchurch]

Posted: 5/11/07 at 3:20pm

Fairly weak pseudo-doc. Too much Riedel, not enough facts. Wasn't impressed with the info (we've heard it all before, and better) and the form was played out as well.

Here's hoping for insightful documentaries about the business in the future.

[keen on kean]

Posted: 5/11/07 at 9:23pm

Why "pseudo-doc"? Apparently Dori received extensive and unprecedented access for the entire period so I assume that what showed up on screen was factual. There was a lot of information that was new to me, especially about the two featured shows that have not survived, namely Caroline or Change and Taboo, neither of which I saw (and now regret missing). I thought the critics were treated somewhat irreverently which was amusing and the parents were treated with tolerant charm which was even more amusing.

[theaterdude87]

Posted: 5/11/07 at 9:33pm

Was the Raul storm out on it?

[theaterdude87]

Posted: 5/11/07 at 9:33pm

Updated On: 5/11/07 at 09:33 PM

[keen on kean]

Posted: 5/12/07 at 10:33am

The "Raul storm out" was not discussed but there was a long camera take on the Post coverage of it.

[Horton]

Posted: 5/12/07 at 11:32am

I have never heard this "Raul storm out" what was the deal with this?

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/12/07 at 1:55pm

During TABOO rehearsals, Raul and Miss Rosie had a creative disagreement, prompting him to walk out. There was even some talk stating that he might not return. He did, eventually.

[Horton]

Posted: 5/12/07 at 2:00pm

what was the fight over?

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/12/07 at 2:16pm

INTERVIEWER: Have you seen Jennifer LeBeau's documentary about the making of TABOO in its finished form? I was surprised that it included footage from your well-publicized walk-off during tech rehearsals.

RAUL: No, I haven't seen it. Some people say I come off great and some say I look like a lunatic. It's weird for me that it's out there.

None of us are at our best. That day, they caught me at the end of my rope. It's difficult knowing that's preserved for posterity. But in the end, I wouldn't work so hard if I didn't care so much. When we were in Rocky Horror, Jarrod Emick would say to me, "Walk through Shubert Alley on your way to work to help remind you of where you are." I took that advice so seriously. It is an incredible blessing to be here and you have to touch base with that all the time. On Broadway, we have a responsibility to be better than the best. It's really disappointing when people come out of a Broadway show and say, "Well, I can see that at home." Audiences should come to Broadway and leave saying, "I have never seen anything like that or anything as good or any actor as good." I know it doesn't always happen, but when it does…



Raúl Esparza & Rosie O'Donnell recreate a stormy moment from TABOO rehearsals for the Gypsy of the Year competition.

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There are many such moments in “Taboo,” when Mr. Esparza and his costars dart out on one limb or another. Yet after closing night, the show’s legacy will likely focus on the backstage sturm und drang, some of which involved Mr. Esparza. He offered a few comments on an incident first reported in October by Michael Riedel in the New York Post. Ms. O’Donnell gave Mr. Esparza a note about taking an exit — generally not done by producers — which prompted him to walk out. Mr. Esparza said that before anyone started talking about the flare-up, the day after it happened, the issue had been settled: “It was cool.”

“I’m very sorry about letting my frayed temper get the best of me,” he said. “We both wanted the same things, but there were too many captains and we couldn’t communicate that. People always argue in tech — this one just became public.”