TUTS "Hardbody" Unauthorized Changes
TUTS "Hardbody" Unauthorized Changes
#1TUTS "Hardbody" Unauthorized Changes
Posted: 6/20/14 at 11:08am
The artistic director of Houston's Theatre Under the Stars made unauthorized changes to their current production of "Hands on a Hardbody," and Howard Sherman has outlined the circumstances in great detail. A great read, and super infuriating. It is not the job of a director to be a playwright, no matter what.
http://www.hesherman.com/2014/06/20/rebuilding-hardbody-at-a-houston-chop-shop/
dexter3
Featured Actor Joined: 9/13/08
#2TUTS
Posted: 6/20/14 at 11:22am
When will directors learn that not only is it tacky and disrespectful, but it's illegal to change a musical that isn't in the public domain.
Remember that crazy Towson University director who changed the ending of Rent at her school?? This TUTS director seems almost as delusional as her.
http://www.thetowerlight.com/2011/04/%E2%80%98rent%E2%80%99s%E2%80%99-scipt-edits-violate-copyright/
Updated On: 6/20/14 at 11:22 AM
FindingNamo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
neonlightsxo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/08
#4TUTS
Posted: 6/20/14 at 11:34amThis artistic director's arrogance is incredible! I hope the Board of Directors of TUTS have a serious discussion with this person. Shame on TUTS!
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
GilmoreGirlO2
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/13/05
#6TUTS
Posted: 6/20/14 at 12:04pm
I'm surprised a theatre as well-known as TUTS would allow this to occur.
This is my reaction, too. They are well-known enough that many involved should have known that these changes wouldn’t fly under the radar. As this was being rehearsed…did no one, whether on the production team or the cast, question whether they were allowed to implement these changes? They seem pretty extreme (considering the reordering changes the structure of when contestants lose the contest) and it’s hard for me to understand how so many people went along with it (I understand he is the artistic director, but still). Unless he acted like he was going to (or already had) notify the writers.
It’s clear that he thought he was smarter than the authors and didn’t want a to take a chance that they might say no to his ideas before he even got it staged. He was also big-headed enough to believe that his changes were so brilliant that, after seeing it, the authors would forgive and forget (and, perhaps he wished, fall at his feet in gratitude for “fixing” their show).
Adair Haywind
Leading Actor Joined: 4/2/14
#8TUTS
Posted: 6/20/14 at 12:24pm
I think those involved with the show either: A) were not familiar with the show and may not even have known changes occurred, or B) assumed such large changes were cleared.
The artistic director should step down, if this is how he approaches putting on shows. Whether or not the show in question "works" or "is good" is irrelevant.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
#10TUTS
Posted: 6/20/14 at 12:57pmI think it is hilarious/ disheartening that the director feels the the order of the numbers is arbitrary... As if these writers just took all the scenes and songs, put them on index cards, threw them against a wall, and said, "There's the show!." Actually it's more than hilarious, it is frightening that at a place that is supposedly so prestigious there is this level of equal parts ignorance and arrogance toward the writing process. What a tool.
Marlothom
Broadway Star Joined: 4/13/04
#12TUTS
Posted: 6/20/14 at 12:59pmTo be fair, Kyle and Cousin Debbie put all the songs and scenes of Hit List on index cards and moved them around a bulletin board until they found the right order, so it CAN be done that way too!
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco.
Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
Stand-by Joined: 12/31/69
Wilmingtom
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/18/11
#19TUTS
Posted: 6/20/14 at 1:55pmIt's like renting a car. It's someone else's property and you can't paint it orange on a whim. Lumpkin knows better but ego and hubrus often get the best of him. A smart producer approaches the authors before liensing the show to see if there might be any wiggle room in the material. If you license and announce the production before approaching the authors, then you must be prepared to present it as written in the event the authors are not agreeable to your suggestions. Thus it has always been in the theater.
rjm516
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/24/09
#20TUTS
Posted: 6/20/14 at 2:31pm
To comments above, it doesn't matter if a show isn't 'good' as written; that still doesn't give anyone the right to illegally try to 'fix' it.
And, if he is violating contractual obligations and licensing agreements of at least one show, and the Dramatists Guild knows, why isn't he being sued? He's just being reported? Maybe? What would ever keep any other director from doing the same if there is nothing really stopping them? aghhh.
#21TUTS
Posted: 6/20/14 at 3:49pm
Wow. Update on Howard Sherman's blog: cease and desist!
http://www.hesherman.com/2014/06/20/rebuilding-hardbody-at-a-houston-chop-shop/
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
#24TUTS
Posted: 6/20/14 at 4:40pmWow, that is some of the most brazen ignorance of basic licensing procedures I have ever heard! And the snooty attitude when he was apprehended by the authors! Truly shameful. Too bad his poor overseeing had to put the work of all those involved to waste canceling the last few performances. It'll no doubt tarnish the reputation of TUTS as a whole too.
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