Posted: 4/17/21 at 5:48pm
Interesting interplay with some of the public complaints 
Hugh, Sutton, et al
Posted: 4/17/21 at 6:35pm
A source familiar with the calls says Music Man star Hugh Jackman was “very concerned” about the claims, which included on-the-record depictions of physical abuse and “what it would look like moving forward” with Rudin in a visible role. The source says that Jackman never made any ultimatums or threatened to leave the show that is poised to kick off Broadway's return after a debilitating shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic but did express his position that something needed to be done. By contrast, Jackman's co-star Sutton Foster did take a stand and said she would leave the highly anticipated musical if Rudin didn't take a seat, says another knowledgeable source.
Sounds exactly right. Good on Sutton!
Posted: 4/17/21 at 7:05pm
The degree to which The Hollywood Reporter is owning this story really must be embarrassing for other publications.
I am curious about the timeline, and questions it raises about Rudin's role moving forward.
Story comes out. Jackman is "very concerned," but says something needs to be done. Foster just says she'll leave the show if Rudin is still the producer. This doesn't quite fit with the attitude of "apathy" about the revelations in the story, presumably because his behavior is an open secret. But if the leading lady and an established Broadway star is saying she'll walk, wouldn't there be a little more concern?
I'm curious about when all that happened. I assume there have been a bunch of behind-the-scenes discussions about all of this since the story was published. Did Foster issue what sounds like an ultimatum before or after Karen Olivo's announcement that referenced Rudin? Again, I'm curious about the interplay between the tweets and public statements by people not directly involved and behind-the-scenes actions by people who are.
But then there's this line and quote:
"Meanwhile, it remains unclear what Rudin means by 'active participation.' A representative for the producer did not elaborate on the phrase. A number of former staffers dubbed the gesture as hollow. 'This guy’s not stepping aside from anything. Clever try though,' says one alum.
So is the plan to have Rudin be the real producer while others are the public face, similar to a manager who gets thrown out of a baseball game for misbehavior continues to manage the game from the clubhouse by giving instructions to the coaches?
Posted: 4/17/21 at 7:09pm
^ That is exactly the plan. He will hire his own goons to oversee day to day stuff. While staying silent and profiting from it all....
Yeah, it's bullsh*t. I hope no one is actually buying what he's saying.
Posted: 4/17/21 at 8:11pm
I'll just say, I don't think that will happen, because I don't think it will be tolerated by those who demanded that Rudin do what he did. There is too much at stake. If people see Rudin's fingerprints, they will bail, and that will inure to the detriment of everyone. We want all of this to play out in public; it won't. Folks here were condemning Sutton 24 hours ago. Because they don't understand how things are done. When she did what is logically irrelevant. These types of things are not linear; multiple forces are at play, and will continue to be. Do I know this for a fact? No. But it is an educated guess, and to me that has more value than pure speculation. I hope I'm right. And as usual, that stupid onstageblog has no clue. lol
Posted: 4/17/21 at 8:58pm
Perhaps I'm being too cynical, but several former Rudin staffers in the THR story itself say Rudin's statement about withdrawing from 'active participation' in the shows he produces is hollow. "'This guy’s not stepping aside from anything. Clever try though,' says one alum.
It's reasonable to think that former Rudin staffers who were sources for Tatiana Siegel's original piece on Rudin don't believe he won't really be running things regardless of this morning's statement. I don't know if they're right, but the same story describes "apathy" about the revelations in the original story.
I don't know who demanded what. Foster's demands, if accurate, are the most serious - not because she's the biggest draw in The Music Man but because her quitting over this would cast a pall over the revival - a musical that has taken on a lot of importance as the centerpiece of Broadway's reopening.
The Rudin situation creates more uncertainty over that revival, which I can imagine would cause concern not only among the stars of that show but of the big-money people - and even government officials - who have a lot at stake in getting Broadway reopened as smoothly as possible.
I was only curious about the timing. It's not all that important. I just have seen how social media flurries usually work, and I can imagine some high-profile figures feeling some pressure in light of the Twitter commentary of recent days and Karen Olivo's announcement. That might not be correct. Just asking.
Posted: 4/17/21 at 9:21pm
Posted: 4/17/21 at 10:12pm
Scott Rudin = "Donald Trump"
The Broadway Elite = "The GOP"
He's putting $$$$ in people's pockets - that is why no one is saying anything, they stand much to lose if they do.
This reeks of condescension:
“See? He’s trying to be better." Or “Look what speaking out can do.” Or “Is this what you wanted?”
He's "stepping back" from nothing.
Posted: 4/17/21 at 10:37pm
@bear88 I am not as cynical as you. Where things stand with MM is that a lot of people with more at stake than Scott Rudin decided that something needed to be done before this fell apart. (And those people's names have not appeared anywhere.) But even if you think Rudin thinks he will find a way to return to the status quo, or that he can puppet master everything, there are way too many other people and entities that are focused on his every breath. All it will take is one piece of office equiptment flying through the air, or one middle of the night screaming session, and the house of cards would collapse. As skeptical as everyone is, and I understand that, I think this is different. Three days ago, every industry person I spoke to assured me nothing would happen. They were all wrong. We shall see.
@Carlos, there is no monolith called the Broadway elite. The fact is, more people in this business hate Rudin than abide him. Just look around. And the latter group are crazy risk averse when it comes to stuff like this. Hide and watch.
Posted: 4/17/21 at 11:26pm
HogansHero,
I'll bow to your greater knowledge of the dynamics at work here and knowledge of the industry. You were told a few days ago nothing would happen. There isn't a quick consensus on what this press release means. Is it PR cover to placate big-money players (who won't show up in news stories), the stars of his shows, the unions and social media? Is it a real thing that people are too skeptical about because no can believe Rudin will lose the clout he's had for years, as you believe? You make a fair point that there will be more attention paid to any antics by Rudin going forward.
A comment from Matthew Belloni, former editorial director of The Hollywood Reporter, with a dissenting view:
https://twitter.com/MattBelloni/status/1383459898541809667
Posted: 4/18/21 at 12:04am
I think that the main difference is that the clout and cache attached to a Scott Rudin show will no longer be what it was. If he's "stepping back" that means he will have be more in the shadows. This means he won't be making speeches at the Tony's, he won't be the big VIP at opening night parties, he won't be dictating that a playbill HAS to be black and white because, you know, reasons.
For someone who values status symbols, awards, and flattery as much as him, it will be a big deal.
Posted: 4/18/21 at 1:05am
Posted: 4/18/21 at 1:47pm
Sutton Ross said: "Broadway Elite breathe a sigh of relief as Scott Rudin decides to work from home
"
There are very few things in life I am comfortable guaranteeing. But I can guarantee you that the "Broadway Elite" were not texting about Scott Rudin with the guy who runs On Stage Blog.
Posted: 4/18/21 at 2:03pm
Posted: 4/18/21 at 2:09pm
Sutton Ross said: "Yup, it's called a joke. It's funny how so many people can't grasp that."
That didn't come across as a joke to me. Seemed like he was stating a fact: that he was texting with the "Broadway Elites."
Posted: 4/18/21 at 2:11pm
