Stephen Schwartz isn't crazy about current "Sweeney Todd"- Page 3

[buffyactsing]

Posted: 4/25/06 at 6:55pm

Indeed, if that was the case, leaving was perfectly understandable. But then why did Patti write a letter to him about it?

And the thread wasn't created to bash Schwartz. It just happened anyway...

[withoutlovewithoutU]

Posted: 4/25/06 at 6:59pm

I actually found this kinda funny! I mean I think alot (not all) composers are at least slightly full of themselves, and because of that I tend to not take the things they say/do seriously, but you know what? I think we should just put Sondheim and Schwartz in a celebrity boxing match and let them fight it out! ;D

[buffyactsing]

Posted: 4/25/06 at 7:00pm

Ha, a boxing match between the two would be funny. I would have suggested Webber, but after watching Dueling Pianos on YouTube I'd rather have seen them hug.

Besides, Schwartz isn't picking a fight with Sondheim here, but rather John Doyle.

Ok, tuba vs. cherry picker.

GO!

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 4/25/06 at 7:22pm

are you f***ing kidding me? Who even knows if that poster was really there or if they're just saying that. And if he did leave at intermission then how did Patti Lupone see him leave? Neither story adds up. I hate how people try to be so "I can't believe you guys...blah blah" Come off it.

[morosco]

Posted: 4/25/06 at 7:57pm

"From what I heard, there had been a family emergency.
I understand that he called the company the next morning to apologize and make arrangements to see the show again."

Sh#T! Now I feel guilty again for walking out of WICKED!

[wonderwaiter]

Posted: 4/25/06 at 8:24pm

Don't you all just feel like asses now?

No. Not really.

Updated On: 4/25/06 at 08:24 PM

[thevolleyballer]

Posted: 4/25/06 at 8:47pm

YES! Now I like Stephen Schwartz even more! :)

[jv92]

Posted: 4/25/06 at 9:21pm

Judas, the article could be slightly false, but it clearly stated that he didn't like it and left. There was no mention of a family emergancy in it.
He doesn't seem to like dark things. He didn't like Fosse's version of Pippin, which I think is brilliant. He also turned Wicked, which was a rather dark novel into a show with slight depth in it where they could be real depth in it.

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 4/25/06 at 9:30pm

Depth is scary. Especially...*gasp* for a musical!

[Isabella2]

Posted: 4/25/06 at 11:17pm

okay i take back the thing i said about schwartz not comparing to sondheim, but i still stand by the rest.
Updated On: 4/25/06 at 11:17 PM

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 4/25/06 at 11:22pm

Come on guys... Schwartz isn't very dark, but he's not Jerry Herman. Just let this thread die, it's stupid. We don't know what really happened, but it probably wasn't nearly as awful as we want to believe it was.

[DG]

Posted: 4/25/06 at 11:27pm

edit - deemed not appropriate, and removed so the thread isn't deleted.
Updated On: 4/26/06 at 11:27 PM

[Sparklesss]

Posted: 4/26/06 at 12:12am

from everything i've heard, i dont' think i'd ever want to work with him..

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 4/26/06 at 12:18am

*amused* I'm going to go out on a limb here and assume you are not a working Broadway actor. I am going to climb further out on that tree despite my fear of heights to assert my belief that you are apparently an actor. With that assumption made, are you really in any position to be so picky about who you want to work with based on questionable rumors? Especially Stephen Schwartz, an extremely prominent composer who has had a very successful career. I can't imagine why you wouldn't kill to work with the guy.

I've never heard any other bad stories about him, so I'm curious what else you've heard!

[Carl Magnum]

Posted: 4/26/06 at 12:24am

Schwartz is a self important hack who hasn't written a decent musical since Pippin, and even that would have BLOWN had it not been saved by Fosse. The best move Fosse made was kicking that idiot out of rehearsals for not shutting his mouth. Seriously, his time has passed and he needs to retire. His sh!t is so tired.

Oh and Children of Eden is the biggest piece of shi+ I have ever seen or listened too.

[DG]

Posted: 4/26/06 at 2:20am

Edit - deemed not appropriate, and removed so the thread isn't deleted. Updated On: 4/26/06 at 02:20 AM

[BwayBaby18]

Posted: 4/26/06 at 2:38am

GYPSY1527 - Muscels also loves Brooke Shields and Bombay Dreams, that tells you something about his theatrical tastes..

Frankly Mr. Schwartz can have whatever oppinion he likes. But i feel the same way about Wicked, it was intresting for the first 15 then begged to leave.

I do however find it rude as an active member of the New York Theatre Community he would publicly be vulgar with his comentary. If anything i feel as though he should be supportive. You don't have to like somethign to be supportive of it. It isn't like Sweeney is tring to be better then Wicked or anything, it is trying to be art.

[JamieMcG]

Posted: 4/26/06 at 2:55am

Okay,

So I'm biased as Stephen (Schwartz) is a friend and a colleague, but I like to jump in and say something once in a while..

First off, he was clearly not criticizing Sondheim's work. he has great amounts of respect for his colleague. His complaint was with his personal reaction to this particular production. He is just as much entitled to his opinion as anyone else who has seen a production. He has a responsibility to be tactful, which according to his statements, he was. His criticism of the show was quite pointed and precise. He has a right to his opinion just like anyone else.

Secondly, I believe this issue was resolved as he did indeed have a personal matter to attend to, which is why he left the show at intermission. But I want to raise the point that chances are, he too, paid for his ticket and if he wanted to leave (like any one of us) then that is his right. I've left at intermission for a few shows. I've sat through others I wished I'd left. It's my prerogative as to what I choose to do with my time and shouldn't be anyone else's concern.

Thirdly, the comment that he "hasn't written a decent musical since PIPPIN" is an opinion, which you are entitled to. Unfortunately box office receipts and one of the highest ratios of return on original investments beg to differ.

And finally, it's rare that you find someone so dedicated to his work and to the theatrical community than Stephen Schwartz. Through his ASCAP classes, educating and constantly encouraging new musical theatre writers and his unending support for up-and-coming composers, he has shown some pretty incredible generosity.

[BWIDB Charlie]

Posted: 4/26/06 at 3:46am

Adding my own thoughts to what Jamie said...

I'm amazed that people wonder why "name" professionals don't converse on message boards often, yet there's three pages debating the artistic inclination of a composer who left a show at intermission. It's petty, useless trash like this that hurts the greater whole known as the online community.

Let's try to put things in perspective, okay guys? Does it really matter that the guy left? And how does bringing his work into the pucture make your argument stronger? He has an opinion, in this case somewhat negative, about the production. I'm sure you have your own thoughts about any given show. I think many people would be well served to actually listen to the thoughts of people, those working in the field and everyday fans. You never know, you might look at something from a completely different perspective. Intelligent debate is a luxury we're allowed. Please use it.

Stephen Schwartz has probably done far more for the musical theatre community, and the careers of many of your favorite artists, than many other people. So, whether he had a family emergency, engagement, or the desire to leave, let's ask ourselves if the discussion is worthwhile. If not, let's leave it off the boards. Thanks.

- Charlie Piane
[e-mail]
Updated On: 4/26/06 at 03:46 AM

[Buck]

Posted: 4/26/06 at 6:51am

I have no problems with Mr. Schwartz walking out of a show or even having an opinion about a show he dislikes. He just needs to be careful about mentioning any of the above to someone in the press.

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 4/26/06 at 8:12am

DG you need to back off of Carl because the trash you just shot out of your mouth does not belong on the on-topic board. He was rendering a personal opinion about a musical theatre composer, you were rendering a personal opinion about a fellow poster, stay on-topic.

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 4/26/06 at 8:35am

Jesus, you guys are vicious.
I'm sure that, while he reads this, poor Stephen Scwhartz is literally WEEPING into his Wicked weekly receipts. I hope the poor guy can get over the drubbing you're giving him and somehow write another "hack" show that obviously no one will go see. I mean, who likes Wicked, after all?

Sincerely,
NOT a Wicked Fan.

[DG]

Posted: 4/26/06 at 8:59am

Edit - deemed not appropriate, and removed so the thread won't get deleted. Updated On: 4/26/06 at 08:59 AM

[Pippin]

Posted: 4/26/06 at 11:23am

I can't believe what I've been reading. frankly, it's all rather pathetic. So he didn't like THIS production. others haven't. he said he loved the actual show. why do you think he would have been there in the first place? and who cares if he didn't like it? you don't like shows that others love. and, it's not like he left during "Green Finch and Linnett Bird" he left at intermission when he knew he wouldn't create a ruckus. it's awful how you have all attacked him so hatefully with no regard to his friends who post on here. I would feel so bad if he reads this board and came upon this thread.

also, it's amusing how there is a double standard here. No one attacked LaChiusa when he came down on Marc Shaiman, (which I think was way off base and spiteful) but everyone can't wait to aim the cannons at Schwartz becuase of something he may have said about the grandaddy of modern musical theatre. and in reality, he didn't even aim it towards Sondheim, it was all aimed at Doyle. So all Doyle fans unite; Stephen Schwartz has said something bad about Doyle, so, in fact, he was wounded you, too. let the Doyle defense begin. At least Schwartz is open minded enough to say he didn't like the Sweeney production, but he thinks it could work for Company.

and yes, my name is pippin, and if you think I am posting from a biased point of view. think again. I love Sondheim more than I do Schwartz. And I would never have the decency to blatantly attack any artist who has contributed to the theatre scene with such adamance and dedication, like you all do.

so get over yourselves, and get a life.

Updated On: 4/26/06 at 11:23 AM

[best12bars]

Posted: 4/26/06 at 12:23pm

Very nicely put, Pippin.