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Marc Shaiman Marc has been very busy and Im so thankful he took a few minutes out
of his busy schedule to answer a few questions for the site. I dont
really feel that he needs an introduction but hes one incredibly talented
man. I didnt even realize quite how much he has done until I started
noticing his name in movie credits for damn near every movie I watch.
Of course, he also worked on my favorite musical Hairspray. I'm currently writing and adapting the music for a new film called RUMOR HAS IT, starring Jennifer Aniston, Shirley MacLaine and Kevin Costner, directed by Rob Reiner. Scott & I also just finished a writers workshop for and with Martin Short, for a really hysterical new one-man show (with cast) that will hopefully play Broadway next season. On the "CATCH ME IF YOU CAN" front, we had an informal reading about 2 months ago of what we have written so far. It went quite well (knock wood!) and now Scott & I, Terrence McNally (bookwriter), Jack O'Brien (director) and Jerry Mitchell (choreographer) need to gather very soon to discuss what we learned from the reading and to map out our further writing schedule. Many of us involved are quite busy, so it looks like, if all goes well, we would be ready and on Broadway the season after next. Oh, and, of course, the HAIRSPRAY movie and Vegas production, in our spare time! -Can you tell us anything about the different versions of Hairspray being worked on, the Vegas 90 minute show and of course the new movie & how they'll differ from Broadway production? Well, for Vegas we are required for the show to be OVER in EXACTLY 90 minutes, so that means we have to actually create an 80 minute (at most) version to allow for (hopefully!) applause and laughs. It has actually been fun to create this lean, mean machine version of the show. It exists as a separate entity from the "official" Broadway version, and we are confident we are not going to lose what is most important and specific to HAIRSPRAY. It WILL be quite a roller coaster ride, they should supply oxygen at the tables. As far as the movie is concerned, we are right in the middle of developing that, and every day brings new ideas for how to gently massage the story and characters to the big screen. It is a very delicate transformation, and we take it as seriously as you would imagine. I am thinking of changing Tracy into a busty girl in a wheelchair, what do ya think?? -How does it feel to be on the Tony Nominating Committee? It has been fantastic being given the opportunity to see an entire season on Broadway. And FOR FREE!! I take this responsibility very seriously and look forward to the process of making the nominations, I am blissfully unaware of what that day will be like. It is quite a great season and when the bell rings, it will be very hard to make some of the choices. I was depending on bribes making it easier but I've been told that is frowned upon. -What do you consider your greatest personal & professional achievements? I think that is for others to say. I have been so freakishly blessed throughout my life with golden opportunities and getting to mingle with some very special people, that it makes me often think I was either REALLY wonderful in a past life and this is my reward, or perhaps was tortured daily and this life is my payback. -If you could improve one thing about yourself, what would it be and why? My nervous habits. Eating, twisting my hair into tiny knotty buttons (when it hits a certain length), and all the other vices you can name. Including BWW! -If you could change one thing about the world, whether it be act of God [ex: no diseases] or act of law [ex: legalize gay marriage], what would it be and why? Well, after we take care of that pesky world hunger and lack of peace, the rest seems easy, no? -What was your "plan" when you set out to begin your career? Would you advise the aspiring composers/lyricists out there to do the same? If not, what advice would you give them? I had no plan except to be a part of show business. And maybe to have sex before I turned 30. Truthfully, I always feel terrible at offering advice, since everything that ever happened to me after being given the gift of music, words and humor, has been all about fate and luck. And there is no way for others to repeat that EXCEPT to KEEP AT IT, because you truly NEVER KNOW where and when someone is going to be who will end up being a huge part of your life and/or career. -What goes through your mind when you watch a movie or performance that you had a hand in? Well, when a project has come out well, it is quite surreal how you become just another audience watching. I have been lucky enough to have worked on a number of movies that were good enough that after all the work was done, I was actually able to forget all the days and nights and notes and computers and deadlines and recording sessions and drama to get it done and just sit there and enjoy it. I have also, unfortunately, worked on a few films that I never even saw completed because the second I finished mixing the score and delivering it, I did my best to delete the experience from the hard drive of my brain! Now, working with someone like Bette Midler on the other hand is beyond description. Hearing her sing a lyric I wrote and knocking the jokes out of the park is positively orgasmic. And hearing and watching the talent who perform all over in HAIRSPRAY is total joy. -What person(s) have you felt most honored to meet or work with? I have had too blessed a life to even begin to list the folks I have met and worked with who are at the top of their field or incredibly smart and funny. The real honor (and boy does this sound corny) is to be able to have what I work on be seen and heard by audiences. I do not EVER take that for granted. I am very lucky. And the real truth is, I am more humbled to meet a school teacher than any other person I can imagine. What an incredibly noble choice to make with one's life. -What draws you to participate in online message boards such as BWW & All That Chat? For the most part, I started to write in just to correct rumors or gossip that I can, without a doubt, state the truth about. Then, on BWW, I enjoyed frolicking with some of the like minded folks who have a similar sense of humor. But boy, the battles one must go through! Ugh! I am a BIG opponent of the right to anonymity that Internet users adopted as their unalienable right years ago. The old-fashioned version of Internet Message Boards were "Letters To The Editor", which were signed with a name and town unless it involved VERY personal and specific information about ones family or friends. I just wish people would adopt a "would I say this if I was sitting next to this person with a name tag on" attitude. It would certainly (I think) create a more mannered and respectful dialogue. And, of course, as is widely known, I mostly write in so that people can pat my head and compliment me. And my dog. And my cat. -Tell us one thing that is either embarrassing or little known about yourself! Due to my Internet postings, I don't know that there is much about me that isn't already "out there", in cyberspace at least. Hmmm...practically everything about me is embarrassing, I wouldn't know where to start! -Rant. Here's your opportunity to talk about anything you happen to feel passionate about, go for it! Uh.....well.....eerrrr......ok. The Golden Rule, people!! Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You! It's easy! It's impossible to confuse!! It's perfect!! The only people who should NOT follow it are severe masochists!! OUCH! -I usually ask in my interviews for the person to tell a thought or story about certain people or shows that I name but you've worked with so many people and done so much, I don't want to limit you. Can you share some of your favorite stories? I try to tell these stories or anecdotes online when I feel it might offer some advice or encouragement to folks. Any actually interested can Google and Google News me and/or do an extensive search on BWW for the goodies! I NEED TO HAVE A BLOG! Thank you!! You're welcome! --- |