A flop. A stinker. Big money-losing, inadvertent-laughter-provoking, critically-bashed and/or audience-disdained fiascos. Turkeys. What is it about them that grabs us? Like the rubberneckers slowing down for a car wreck we buy up all the papers to read with glee the scathingly venomous diatribes and study box office figures, calculating nuts and percentages. And when we hear about these major disasters, we rush to get a glimpse before they're taken from us prematurely -- gotta be able to say, "I was in the audience for closing night of Legs Diamond!" So it was only a matter of time before sites began to crop up on the web dedicated to the (formerly?) abhorred.
Two shows opened this past season which, despite their inability to find an audience and stay open, managed to develop followings cultish enough to continue clamouring to "save the turkeys."
The Capeman, by Paul Simon and Derek Walcott, after heavily reported trials and tribulations, postponements, and directorial and script changes, opened to nearly universal anathema from the press and barely ran. This show, about a young inner city murderer, lost a lot of money. But its pre-opening, non-cast "concept" album by Mr. Simon and a variety of cast and popular performers sold well. So, with the addition of the many fans the show managed to garner, there seems to be a large crowd trying to revive this failure. A kind of "Save the Capeman" website, begins with The Capeman News (the site has no apparent title), reporting on recent events of interest to Capeman devotees (e.g., information about the constantly postponed release of the original cast album). Within the rest of the site you'll find other news, reviews and essays by admirers of the show, fan mail addressed to Paul Simon, a FAQ (frequently asked questions) page with answers to questions like "What is The Capeman about?" and "What's the story about The Capeman closing?," links to home pages devoted to the bigger names from the show (Marc Anthony, Ruben Blades, Ednita Nazario -- oh, and Paul Simon), and some sound clips from the Songs from The Capeman concept album. Finally, of course, there's the "How to Help" page, which lists six ways you can help The Capeman too!
Capeman fans can't afford to miss the page calmly entitled "The Capeman ---A fine show...screw the critics." This page by a student at a professional performing arts school (apparently unaware that the taking of photographs of a show from the audience is illegal), contains a large number of photos taken during curtain calls, outside the stage door of the theatre, and from a variety of other sources. There are also a few reprinted interviews and sound clips.
Also of interest is Warner Bros. Records official "Paul Simon Songs from The Capeman" site, which promotes the original concept album. Here you'll find a number of sound clips -- including a RealVideo of Paul Simon discussing the project, a synopsis, a song list, a short history of the shows development, the album notes, a Paul Simon discography (with obligatory purchase links), and a discussion area for Simon fans.
This article began last week with GobbleGobble.
Continues next week with: Save the Turkeys! - Part 2.
It concludes in two weeks with: Turkey Stew.
Which brings us to our continuing contest (ENDED):
TURKEY-LURKEY
Your humble author is no stranger to turkeys, having been involved
with a number himself. Obviously, I believe that the number of
bomb a person is involved with is not necessarily a reflection
on the person's talent or abilities. So, with that in mind, this
contest calls upon you to test your brain and research skills
to come up with the person involved with the largest number of
flops. Provide the person's name, as well as the complete list
of shows and the person's involvement. By the way, the current
number to beat is 17.
Email your answers to me. In the case of a tie, the earlier submission will win -- unless different people come up with different flop-meisters with the same number of flops. In that case multiple entries may be awarded. As always, although anyone may submit an answer, only Suite101.com members are eligible for the prize, which is Not Since Carrie: Forty Years of Broadway Musical Flops by Ken Mandelbaum. The contest will run for five weeks in total, ending on September 21. Go to it!
C U @ the Theatre!
Originally published at Suite101.com Theatre, 9/1/98
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