Hmmm. Wow... here we go.
"2. Most of the changes that were made to the show by the NY producers were. . .um. . .BETTER! Duh. They are NY producers who know their ****. So, cutting down the original rap in "Wonderland" so as to understand the foreshadowing that G and K is gonna kill Jason later on in the show was SMART. The original version just drags on during the rap, I could't make out anything. I preferred the Cocktail and Top Gun dialogue in the NY production, however, I like that they continute on with the mass by adding "The peace of the lord be with you. .." and when Peter says "Lord I am not worthy" was clever. And the having the chorus confirm "HE is not worthy..."
-- That's (sorry) NY snobbery. To suggest that they knew "better" because they were NY producers? There are talented producers who know what they're doing all over the place. These are the same producers that lost their main backer because of the horrible way they were running their business (and at the same time as 'bare'). The rap in LA was exactly the same as NY (please know facts beforehand) and it was expanded for the recording (some like it, some don't, as with everything in life). And I personally think that it's quite clear what kills Jason.
"4. Regarding the DVD and the whole dispute regarding the LA versus the NY cast: It seems to me that Damon is very VERY proud of his work (and yes, it's an AMAZING piece) so much that he feels that his first original version is the best. Don't get me wrong, it's pretty damn good. I understand that he didn't want to change anything once he started working on the NY production. However, if you really think about it, the NY version is more....MATURE? The changes were very clever, better to understand the story, was more condensed so as to not be too redundant, and STILL kept the same message, if not made it a lot clearer. When watching the DVD I got the feeling that Damon did not really like the NY show and I found it strange that he only thanked the LA cast on the libretto. It reminds me of when I was watching the Jonathn Larson documentary, when he was unwilling to change Rent because he felt his way was the right way and he was unwilling to collaborate. And see how successful Rent became after PROFESSIONALS took it and made it BETTER! I also got a real bad vibe from Damon, he seems to be a big DIVA and a not a nice person. MOSt people know of BARE 'cause of the NY show. "
--First off, many people (hundreds!) had no problem understanding or following the story in LA with the original book. I'm not saying changes weren't necessary, just not as MANY as the NY producers demanded. I think that (at least the way I understand it) is that the LA team felt bullied by the producers that it's "well we're NY producers, we know what is best!" and then the whole thing went belly up because they really didn't have their act together at that time. I know Damon... he's a really nice, sweet guy and not a diva... a bit "larger than life" at times, but not a diva. 'bare' is his baby, and he wants what is best for it. He did not feel (as it is any authors right!) that the NY production was what was best for it. Lets also remember that some of the NY changes DID make it (not many, but some) to the final version. I would say it is unfair of you to throw such a label at him when you don't know him, and have only seen a bit of him in one documentary. He's working his butt off to get this album out, worked just as hard to get it made. Without Damon this album wouldn't exist.
And as for the moving of the title song... again, you'll like it or not. For me, it makes more sense. And it makes it more painful. He takes the drug as a last resort, thinking their is no hope, then reconciles with Peter only for it to be too late. Much more painful, with more emotional impact. But again, that's just my feeling on it.
OK. I'm getting off the soap box now. As you were.
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