TUTS "Hardbody" Unauthorized Changes

[alliez92092]

TUTS "Hardbody" Unauthorized Changes#1

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]

TUTS #2

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]

TUTS #2

Posted: 6/20/14 at 11:23am

"Remember that crazy Towsend University director who changed the ending of Rent at her school??"

It's because she *lived* it.

Twitter @NamoInExile Instagram none

[neonlightsxo]

TUTS #3

Posted: 6/20/14 at 11:24am

So weird. If you don't like the show in its licensed version, don't do it. Simple.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

TUTS #4

Posted: 6/20/14 at 11:34am

This 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)

[Kad]

TUTS #5

Posted: 6/20/14 at 11:55am

I'm surprised a theatre as well-known as TUTS would allow this to occur.

"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."

[GilmoreGirlO2]

TUTS #6

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]

TUTS #7

Posted: 6/20/14 at 12:05pm

The authors should sue immediately.

Updated On: 6/20/14 at 12:05 PM

[Kad]

TUTS #8

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."

[HenryTDobson]

TUTS #9

Posted: 6/20/14 at 12:48pm

While it's (of course) awful to illegally change a show like this, it's incredibly stupid to do it when you KNOW that the authors will be there opening night.

[Hackasaurus_Rex]

TUTS #10

Posted: 6/20/14 at 12:57pm

I 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]

TUTS #11

Posted: 6/20/14 at 12:58pm

I've heard of many productions of A Chorus Line that change the people that make it at the end.

"Observe how bravely I conceal this dreadful dreadful shame I feel."

[WhizzerMarvin]

TUTS #12

Posted: 6/20/14 at 12:59pm

To 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!

[Hackasaurus_Rex]

TUTS #13

Posted: 6/20/14 at 1:06pm

Excellent point, Whizzer!

[Unknown User]

TUTS #14

Posted: 6/20/14 at 1:23pm

Well, the show didn't work on Broadway the way they wrote it. Maybe moving stuff around would help?

[Jordan Catalano]

TUTS #15

Posted: 6/20/14 at 1:25pm

Just because a show fails to find an audience, doesn't mean it doesn't "work". The show worked extremely well the way that it was written.

[tazber]

TUTS #16

Posted: 6/20/14 at 1:31pm

I'm also a fan of the show.

I'm still surprised it didn't fare better on Broadway.

....but the world goes 'round

[Jordan Catalano]

TUTS #17

Posted: 6/20/14 at 1:41pm

I'll always think that one was a true victim to horrible marketing.

[Wilmingtom]

TUTS #19

Posted: 6/20/14 at 1:55pm

It'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]

TUTS #20

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.

[LizzieCurry]

TUTS #21

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

[songanddanceman2]

TUTS #22

Posted: 6/20/14 at 3:56pm

Good on them for pulling the rights, feel bad for the cast though

Namo i love u but we get it already....you don't like Madonna

[CurtainPullDowner]

TUTS #23

Posted: 6/20/14 at 4:20pm

tut, tut....

[Mr. Nowack]

TUTS #24

Posted: 6/20/14 at 4:40pm

Wow, 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.

Keeping BroadwayWorld Illustrated

[Wee Thomas2]

TUTS #25

Posted: 6/20/14 at 4:42pm

You can still by tix to tonight's show on their website through the tickets link, although the front page of their site does not list the show.