The Capeman

[Broadwayballerina]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 6:07pm

I saw this musical mentioned in another thread and I had completely forgotten about it. When it came out I was about 12 and a classmate of mine (a 13 year old girl) named amanda vacharat was in it. Did anyone see it or have a playbill from it? I'd be very interested in hearing why it was such a flop. post or PM me please!

[bronxboundexpress]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 6:20pm

What show?

[Broadwayballerina]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 6:25pm

The Capeman...ran from Jan, 1998- march 1998...based on music by simon and garfunkel I think??

[bronxboundexpress]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 6:34pm

There was a musical about Paul Simon?

[Sunfish]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 9:25pm

It wasn't about Paul Simon, it was BY Paul Simon. Garfunkel was not involved. I didn't see it and don't know much about it, but I think the central character was a real-life convicted murderer, his life circumstances and the controversy surrounding his conviction? or something like that.

But yeah, six years ago....gone and forgotten. Except there were some who said it was the "worst show since....." at the time.

[bronxboundexpress]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 9:32pm

Did it suck? I've never heard of it.

[Sunfish]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 9:38pm

"Suck" is a personal assessment. It had it's defenders and devoted fans. Overall, it was not well-thought-of. I didn't see it, so I can't pass judgement, since I am a defender and devoted fan of OTHER shows that got raw treatment, in my opinion.

A lot of people say it was terrible, if you want to go by that.

[bronxboundexpress]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 9:41pm

I never go by other people! That is why I am seeing DRACULA on Saturday with a more open mind than most posters here had! lol

[bethafoot]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 11:16pm

Ok, it was written by Paul Simon, starred Marc Anthony and Ruben Blades. It was about a murder committed in the 1950's by a teenager who was a member of a gang called the Vampires. He was known as the Capeman. It was a good idea for a musical I heard, but I never got the chance to see it despite my being a huge fan of both Paul Simon and Marc Anthony. Apparently it had it's issues with script tho, but the music to it was awesome, in my opinion. You can get the concept abum in stores still, I think, but I don't know how to get ahold of anything else from it.

[BWayBoy88]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 11:29pm

I have heard the concept CD. There are some good songs on it.

[theaterfan194]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 11:36pm

http://www.talkinbroadway.com/talkin/cape1.html weird article about santeria and the capeman

[rockfenris2005]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 2:52am

My friend is Paul Simon's neighbour. I should ask him about it

[Gothampc]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 8:32am

I saw this musical and it just didn't quite work. First it was too much of a downer. Way too depressing for a musical that was supposed to be about redemption of a person. They used two different actors to play the lead and there were points where it got a bit too surreal. Finally, the book was just boring in the second act. Once the crime was committed, the show lost its momentum and became an uninteresting psychological study of an imprisoned murderer.

I think the musical would have worked if the show built up to the murder and then ended there, not trying to explore and explain the later years of the lead character.

[Barihunk]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 9:02am

This show had a great pedigree: A book by Nobel laureate Derek Wolcott, staging by Mark Morris (who's work was tweaked by an uncredited Jerry Zaks during previews) and of course, a score by Paul Simon. When I saw it about a month into previews (it previewed almost two months before opening 59 previews - 68 perfs!) it was just a mess. The first act was bad enough but then the second act was just about enough to numb the senses. While many blame the subject matter (which certainly didn't help) I also felt Simon's music to be extremely monotonous. Everything was on one level. There were no emotional highs or lows - it was the musical equivalent of a Xanex cocktail with an Ativan chaser. The cast was game (I remember an effective solo for Agron's mother) and Bob Crowley's designs were fantastic (I remember a great fire-escape scene with perspective similar to the Hairspray "Tracy in bed" opening). All in all it was an admirable attempt that just didn't prove gripping enough on stage.

My most vivid memory though came at intermission when I loudly announced to my date "If we are staying for the second act, I need a drink. I think we are witnessing this season's "Carrie"." As I turned around who is sitting behind us (in the last orchestra row) but Mr. Simon and Mr. Zaks. Ouch.

[BWayBoy88]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 2:28pm

HaHa