TICKET GIVEAWAY TO EDWARD ALBEE’S WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF: Win two tickets to see “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” starring Steppenwolf Theatre members Tracy Letts (author of the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning August: Osage County) and Amy Morton (Tony Award nominee for August: Osage County) who face off as one of the stage’s most notoriously dysfunctional couples. It also stars Carrie Coon and Madison Dirks as the couple caught in the crossfire. It is directed by Pam MacKinnon (Clybourne Park.) .“Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” is playing at the Booth Theater (222 West 45th Street) with an opening date of October 13th, 2012 — exactly 50 years to the day after its original Broadway opening.
The committee selected to choose the play that would be awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1962 picked “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf,” but the trustees of Columbia overruled them, reportedly because of its language and subject matter. No Pulitzer for drama was given that year — one of many theatrical controversies. This leads me to the contest question:
Describe a specific theatrical scandal or controversy past or present that you find most compelling.
Three requirements to win the tickets:
1. Please put your answer in the comments at the bottom of this blog post, because the winner will be chosen through Random.org based on the order of your reply, not its content.
But you must answer the question. Your answer must be specific, an actual controversy or scandal involving the theater in some way. (If you just write something like “High ticket prices,” or make a joke like “so-and-so’s performance is a scandal,” or dwell on salacious couplings that are “theatrical” only in another sense, your entry will not be approved for submission.)
2. Please include in your answer your Twitter name and follow my Twitter feed at @NewYorkTheater so that I can send you a direct message. (If you don’t have a Twitter name, create one. It’s free.)
3. This contest ends Monday, October 15, 2012 at midnight Eastern Time, and I will make the drawing no later than noon the next day. You must respond to my direct message on Twitter within 24 hours or I will choose another winner.
(The tickets are for specific days from now through November 4th, 2012. You have to be in New York City and able to attend one of the designated performances.)
I find the current commotion around “Rebecca” to be absolutely fascinating. The whole phantom investor/con man/general lack of information is a production in and of itself.
Twitter: n2natalie
The Charlotte Rep Angels in America uproar in Charlotte, NC in the 90s.
twitter: @SaraLeonard
The Rebecca intrigue is fascinating, but the recent controversy that really grabbed my attention was Stephen Sondheim’s taking down of the creative team of The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess over their alterations to the original. How someone’s reinterpretation or improvement can be someone else’s desecration is always an issue in the theater landscape but it was compelling to see it play out at this level.
@mlottjr
I found the whole Spiderman controversy incerdibly fascinating. From delays to playing over 100 preview performances, Christopher Tierney’s injury, creative team replacements and especially the whole Julie Taymor lawsuit debacle made it a spectacle of its own before most of the general public had even the chance see the show!
Twitter@bwaygirl828
Have to love Julie Andrews turning down her Tony nomination for V/V, if only for the wonderful use of “egregiously”
When “Blasted” by Sarah Kane premiered at The Royal Court Theatre. It was ’95 and I was 8 so I don’t remember it, nor was I aware, but I’ve learned about it. People were appalled and the critics were harsh and …well, critical! Reactions to In-your-face theatre and all things controversial are so interesting to me. Theatre makers get a rise out of people and they’re upset over it, but isn’t that what its all about!? I love that fifteen years later, its revival was received with more positivism which is even more interesting to me. Same play, same aggressive content, totally different reactions. Love that subjectivity of the theatre!
Cross my fingers, hope to win….
@KCinNYC
I was very intrigued by the James Barbour/underage girl backstage scandal. As I am not a part of the Broadway community, I am always curious as to personal relationships between actors. However, when this was announced, I recall Mr. Barbour leaving Rocky Horror in San Diego. All of the Broadway boards believed his career to be over…apparently the only thing that has blown over was the story. There was no jail time or arrests, which would generally happen otherwise. Today, his voice is well respected and he continues on with concerts and performances as if nothing had happened.
Megan Mullally leaving Lips Together, Teeth Apart abruptly and essentially cancelling the production because the director would not replace one of the other actors.
twitter: @twittingbr
When The Blue Man Group producers were outtraged over other shows with a color theme such as Wicked and Shrek.
@connieb27
Patti Lupone originated the role of Norma Desmond in the London production of Sunset Blvd. She was under the understanding that she would eventually reprise the role of Norma Desmond on Brodway. In the interim however, Glenn Close opened the show in Los Angeles to great acclaim. Andrew Lloyd Webber then decided that when they brought over the entire cast from Los Angeles to Broadway it would be Glenn Close playing the role of Norma Desmond on Broadway instead of Patti Lupone. I remember it turned into a big legal move between Patti Lupone and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Mr. Lloyd Webber said that it was the co-producers that pressured him into making the change of Lupone to Close. I remember seeing the production six times on broadway it was fantastic with the different Norma Desmonds Elaine Page, Betty Buckley, the Fabulous Karen Mason who was Ms. Close understudy. To date that is one of my favorite shows that ever graced the broadway stage.
@noisefunk
The brouhaha surrounding the mismanagement of Grey Gardens and its subsequent closing was highly interesting at the time. It was very odd that the show was selling out every performance, breaking box office records for the Kerr, and the producers pulled the plug (there were all sorts of theories as to why).
Something that I think is scandalous is last year’s Tony Award nominations announcement — when the Nominating Committee decided to nominate LEAP OF FAITH over GHOST or SPIDER-MAN: TURN OFF THE DARK. LEAP OF FAITH was universally unliked by crtiics, yet still seemed to somehow earn its one and only nomination for Best Musical. Both GHOST and SPIDER-MAN: TURN OFF THE DARK received better reviews and word of mouth, yet somehow did not make the cut.
@andrew_hartman
Sushi-gate!!! Jeremy Piven quitting the Broadway production SPEED-THE-PLOW halfway into the run because of “mercury poisoning”?? Come on, dude, just admit you couldn’t handle it.
The “Rebecca” scandal has been incredibly interesting to watch and we’re actually studying it in one of my classes. What’s been most curious has been the reaction of the cast and creative team. No one seems upset AT Sprecher.
@JillWoodwardSM
The recent drama between Clybourne Park playwright Bruce Norris and producer Scott Rudin was pretty fun. Rudin refused to produce Clybourne on Broadway after Norris dropped out of the pilot for The Corrections. I think the fact that Norris was essentially sabotaging his performance as a means of getting out of his contract was crazy and maybe a tad brilliant.
@KyleMFox
The feud between Arthur Laurents and Sam Mendes during previews of the Bernadette Peters “Gypsy” revival. One of the nastiest incidences in recent memory. And, if I recall correctly, italmost derailed the production in previews.
@JBentz
Definitely the Rebecca controversy. There’s something new every day, and I can’t get enough! @AshleyRaeBK
Though I certainly wasn’t alive to watch it unfold, I love that Mr. Feeny of Boy Meets World (…aka William Daniels) refused his Featured Actor Tony nom for 1776 because he felt so strongly that he belonged in the Leading Actor category. True or no, bold move against the Tony committee! @brynnsays
Definitely the Patti LuPone / Andrew Lloyd Webber debacle around Sunset Blvd. Reading her side in her recent memoir was fascinating!
@EricSchwartz11
I’m going way back the origins of Musical Theater, the Gilbert and Sullivan operettas of the 1880s. After twelve hugely successful collaborations at Richard D’Oyle Carte’s Savoy Theater, it all came crashing to a halt when D’Oyle Carte sent Gilbert a bill for replacing the carpets in the lobby of the theater, which had apparently been ruined by the excessive foot traffic created by the huge audience turnout for THE GONDOLIERS. Gilbert refused to pay, leading to a legal battle. Sullivan sided with D’Oyly Carte and a vicious arguement ensued between the collaborators, whose relationship had always been contentious. After a four-year period without working with each other, they re-united for two more musicals, but the magic was gone and neither was a success. After that, they never spoke to each other again. The “Carpet Quarrel” was it was dubbed by the press, was the deciding factor that destroyed one of the most successful artistic partnerships in history.
my twitter is @IntheroleofTed
I find the “Rebecca” scandal intriguing with the phantom dead investors and anonymous emails. @mymusicboxes
The Spider-Man scandal was especially interesting to me because I was able to see the first version
I love the whole Patti / Webber controversy. Her opinions were so well dictated in her memoir, and the Patti sass that we all know and love was oozing from every page… Especially the chapters on Sunset Blvd.
Twitter: @sarahkleist
With the whole revival of “Annie,” I can’t help but think of the Joanna Pacitti contraversy, getting fired during out of town tryouts and replaced by her understudy after the auditions being televised. I remember watching it, being close to her age and just feeling crushed.
@alanaenchanted
I would have to say the unfortunate drama between Julie Taymor and the Spiderman team.
@colton_childs
I loved reading about John Lahr’s lawsuit against Elaine Stritch for failing to pay him royalties every time she performed Elaine Stritch At Liberty. The case didn’t go to court, I don’t think, but the notion that Lahr had somehow gained legal ownership of Stritch’s life story by helping her write that one show was fascinating.
@mattweinstock
All that went down with THE ACT–from Scorsese’s ineptitude at stage directing (he used to videotape rehearsals, go home, and edit the footage) to his coke-addled affair with Liza at a time when both were married to other people.
@tygawolf
The various firings, delays, and rewrites surrounding The Freaking Out of Stephanie Blake in 1967—so delectably chronicled by William Goldman in The Season.
@rachelysanders
Probably the Spiderman ordeal because it’s one of the rare instances where that kind of drama made it to national news because of the injuries.
@beeingmissstar
I think that the Rebecca scandal could be the basis for a Broadway show of its own. A major investor dies, the emails, the phony investors, fraud- that is a show I would go see.
In regards to the Roundabout Theater Company’s “Pal Joey” productions a few years back:
Right after reviews came out upon opening not really loving Christian Hoff’s performance in the leading role, he swiftly left the production due to a “minor” foot injury and his understudy, Matt Risch took over. I remember people being very surprised by this, especially when Hoff was seen running around the city at events and galas several days later.
@bdevit
Featherbrained “Kate” @featherbrained on Twitter.
My favorite of all time, because Patti Lupone is the diva to end all divas, is the Sunset Boulevard fiasco. I know it’s already been mentioned here but it interest was recently renewed because of her recent memoir. Also, Close, Lupone, and Dunaway are a very powerful cast of characters. I can only imagine the things said by all.
-Kate F.
Sondheim vs. Porgy and Bess. It was interesting to see how one man could influence a production of a show.
@bridg4491
The recent Dracula that opened at the Little Shubert had a fascinating scandal- from what I read, the producers ran out of money and so couldn’t pay the design staff, and as such, the design staff recused their intellectual property in the show. There were several performances that went forward without costumes, and I believe, without the fight choreograph as well. Though some of this could obviously have been hyperbole!
I’m on board with the Patti LuPone / Andrew Lloyd Webber debacle around Sunset Blvd. It’s the stuff legends are made of.
@richardethomas
I thought the Spider-Man issues were fascinating, mostly because it was the dollars that were center-stage there, not people. Creative differences happen, but not on the scale of 65 million dollars.
@RyanCBrinson
Hi, I’m @DGottesfeld.
I have to say the current scandal involving ” Rebecca” is so interesting because of ” life following art” . Today’s NYT article about the arrests deepens the story. Also, I’m a big DuMaurier fan, so I had been following the story before it became a scandal!
@landwarsinasia here!
Call me old fashioned, but I will bring up the riots at the original performance of Victor Hugo’s “Hernani” any chance given.
I thought the scandal involving Jonathan Pryce being cast as the biracial engineer in Miss Saigon intriguing. I just read David Henry Hwang’s Yellow-Face and did not know that he was one of the protesters against having a white man portray an asian role. So often is this the case in movies and plays that asians are automatically put into a stereotype.
I know a lot of people are saying this, but I really can’t think of a better answer! The whole Rebecca ordeal is the most scandalous thing I’ve ever heard, especially with Mark Hotton’s arrest. Faking investors and their deaths (from malaria?!) is just crazy to me.
@Clairvoyant94
Rebecca scandal is at the forefront. Could not have written that into the script of smash and had it be believable
Julie Taymor getting fired from Spiderman! That was crazy…I generally like her and I felt like the whole thing was sleazy.
Twitter: @ForumTheatreNYC
Rebecca scandal really is fascinating. So wanted to see that show
@itssaralou
Thanks for your replies! I have sent a Direct Message on Twitter to the person picked by a random drawing at Random.org, and will wait 24 hours before picking somebody else.
Brynn Cox (Brynnsays) has won the tickets to “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” on Broadway. Random.org picked 18. Hers was the 18th answer. It was also an interesting choice of controversy — a Tony nominee refusing his nomination.