Riedel on The Great Comet off stage battle
Riedel on The Great Comet off stage battle
10086sunset
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/8/16
#1Riedel on The Great Comet off stage battle
Posted: 10/18/16 at 6:19pm
http://nypost.com/2016/10/18/theres-an-off-stage-war-going-on-at-the-great-comet/
Shame it sounds like the cast is being put in the middle...
brian1973
Leading Actor Joined: 2/1/14
#2Riedel on The Great Comet off stage battle
Posted: 10/18/16 at 6:23pm
Oh dear what a mess. And a bad way to start this shows run on Broadway
#3Riedel on The Great Comet off stage battle
Posted: 10/18/16 at 6:25pm
It's interesting that Josh groban can put his foot down. Is he really more powerful than the producers?
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement
brian1973
Leading Actor Joined: 2/1/14
#5Riedel on The Great Comet off stage battle
Posted: 10/18/16 at 6:27pm
I bet he is. He is the star draw of this (faintly dull sounding) show.
#6Riedel on The Great Comet off stage battle
Posted: 10/18/16 at 6:30pm
The show's been around for a few years. No one thinks it's dull.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#7Riedel on The Great Comet off stage battle
Posted: 10/18/16 at 6:34pm
And while much of this is true, don't put it past Riedel to make a mountain out of a molehill.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#8Riedel on The Great Comet off stage battle
Posted: 10/18/16 at 6:37pm
This sounds like typical Riedel "drip, drip,drip". This surely sounds like a "he said/no not there/me first" concoction; he needs to have people (duh! us) talk about this non drama.
We're going on Wednesday, we have great seats and I'm expecting something quite unusual, but I do hope it delivers.
I Can Has Cheezburger With This?
brian1973
Leading Actor Joined: 2/1/14
#9Riedel on The Great Comet off stage battle
Posted: 10/18/16 at 6:45pm
Kad said: "The show's been around for a few years. No one thinks it's dull.
"Im just saying it SOUNDS dull.. It needs to appeal to more than musical theatre fans if it's to survive and withoutJosh G, it doesn't have much to sell it to the masses. I look forward to seeing it though and hopefully enjoying it.
neonlightsxo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/08
#10Riedel on The Great Comet off stage battle
Posted: 10/18/16 at 7:09pm
I don't have any stake in this or any friends involved, but if the contract does indeed say it has to be billed as "The Ars Nova production of..." then I don't see why this is even a question?
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#11Riedel on The Great Comet off stage battle
Posted: 10/18/16 at 7:10pm
So what, exactly have you heard that sounds dull? The part about it being a sliver of War & Peace? In that case, Les Miz must have sounded dreadful too. And only mega-successes have to reach beyond musical theater fans. (And yes, I'm truly curious about what sounded dull to you.)
It certainly didn't sound dull to all the off broadway audiences previously in NY, nor to the sold out crowds at the ART.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
Cupid Boy2
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/5/13
#12Riedel on The Great Comet off stage battle
Posted: 10/18/16 at 7:24pm
This production making it to Broadway is a huge win for a non-profit like Ars Nova, and it's despicable that they'd be robbed of the credit when it's been contractually promised to them.
If the bit about banning Ars Nova staffers from the theatre is true, that's absolutely ludicrous. Are they afraid they'll act out mid-performance?
#13Riedel on The Great Comet off stage battle
Posted: 10/18/16 at 10:32pm
neonlightsxo said: "I don't have any stake in this or any friends involved, but if the contract does indeed say it has to be billed as "The Ars Nova production of..." then I don't see why this is even a question?
"
In many cases a contract is only as good as the willingness of the parties to abide by it. Of course, Ars Nova can sue and may well win. And the general partner can appeal, etc. By the time the matter is resolved, the attention surrounding the opening of the show, awards, etc., may have passed. Ars Nova could be awarded monetary damages, but that doesn't seem to be what it wants at the moment.
So there's the court of public opinion.
neonlightsxo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/08
RippedMan
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/14/05
#15Riedel on The Great Comet off stage battle
Posted: 10/18/16 at 10:38pm
I don't see why they wouldn't just bill it like that? Are they assuming it's going to somehow hurt the show? Isn't Les Miz RSC? Was it billed as such originally?
#16Riedel on The Great Comet off stage battle
Posted: 10/18/16 at 10:44pm
neonlightsxo said: "Sigh.
"
You asked how there could still be an issue if the contract is clear. To the best of my ability in a short space, I answered your question. What is the problem?
I don't know you, but a lot of people assume the signatories treat a contract as Holy Writ. But the fact is thousands of lawyers are employed because, in their enthusiasm to reach an agreement, many parties treat contract clauses as mere "suggestions".
#17Riedel on The Great Comet off stage battle
Posted: 10/18/16 at 10:52pm
RippedMan said: "I don't see why they wouldn't just bill it like that? Are they assuming it's going to somehow hurt the show? Isn't Les Miz RSC? Was it billed as such originally?
"
I don't know the parties involved, but looking at the "Producers Page" of the show's website, "HOWARD AND JANET KAGAN" end up with first billing and "ARS NOVA" is buried next to last. So it may be a matter of ego.
#18Riedel on The Great Comet off stage battle
Posted: 10/18/16 at 10:53pm
they could get an injunction but the real cost here is in karma.
pupscotch
Broadway Star Joined: 1/24/16
#19Riedel on The Great Comet off stage battle
Posted: 10/18/16 at 10:58pm
I'm confused as to where Josh Groban "putting his foot down" to record has anything to do with the rest of the article. Isn't it about Ars Nova billing? And then Josh Groban pops up.
neonlightsxo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/08
#20Riedel on The Great Comet off stage battle
Posted: 10/18/16 at 11:00pm
Gaveston, I wasn't arguing with you. My "sigh" was at the Kagans, not at your response. Not sure what they gain by withholding the credit.
#21Riedel on The Great Comet off stage battle
Posted: 10/18/16 at 11:08pm
neonlightsxo said: "Gaveston, I wasn't arguing with you. My "sigh" was at the Kagans, not at your response. Not sure what they gain by withholding the credit.
"
Sorry, neon, I misunderstood. I'm often accused (fairly) of being too pedantic, but I thought my response to you was pretty concise. Bottom line: what the Kagans seem to gain is the most prominent billing among the producers.
theatregoer3
Broadway Star Joined: 3/8/13
#22Riedel on The Great Comet off stage battle
Posted: 10/18/16 at 11:09pm
dramamama611 said: "So what, exactly have you heard that sounds dull? The part about it being a sliver of War & Peace? In that case, Les Miz must have sounded dreadful too. And only mega-successes have to reach beyond musical theater fans. (And yes, I'm truly curious about what sounded dull to you.)
It certainly didn't sound dull to all the off broadway audiences previously in NY, nor to the sold out crowds at the ART."
I just saw it myself and found it to be dull. So did the many people in the mezz who didn't return after intermission.
If he thinks it sounded dull, then let him have his opinion.
As to the Ars Nova issue, they had one of the last bios in the program, mixed in with arbitrary names and unfamiliar producers (cough financiers cough).
#23Riedel on The Great Comet off stage battle
Posted: 10/18/16 at 11:23pm
what i don't understand is why the recording of the OBCR is scheduled for the same day as whatever gala they're talking about, it seems like whoever's in charge should have known the other was happening.
"Contentment, it seems, simply happens. It appears accompanied by no bravos and no tears."
#24Riedel on The Great Comet off stage battle
Posted: 10/18/16 at 11:24pm
No, the Battle of Borodino would NEVER look like paintballl...
chi-town_bwayfangirl
Chorus Member Joined: 4/9/16
#25Riedel on The Great Comet off stage battle
Posted: 10/19/16 at 12:15am
theatregoer3 said: "dramamama611 said: "So what, exactly have you heard that sounds dull? The part about it being a sliver of War & Peace? In that case, Les Miz must have sounded dreadful too."
I just saw it myself and found it to be dull. So did the many people in the mezz who didn't return after intermission.
If he thinks it sounded dull, then let him have his opinion."
Going to see it this weekend and when I tell my friends here in Chicago I'm going to see "Natasha Pierre and the Great comet of 1812", it sounds dreadful (not knowing anything else about it). It's a long and boring title and that makes one think it would be a long and boring show. I don't generally like period pieces (1812), could care less about comets and don't think the connection to War and Peace does it any favors. The only thing I can look forward to is Josh Groban and the staging.
And yes, Les Miserables is a dreadful title. Great show when word of mouth/press gets around, but not something that immediately piques my interest
Just my opinion
