I went to Seth Rudetsky's weekly Chatterbox show for the first time today. This is actually surprising, cause I always enjoy his benefit concerts and piano appearances.
The guests were originally supposed to be Jonathan Groff and John Gallagher Jr. of SPRING AWAKENING, but they cancelled due to an impromptu vocal rehearsal. Instead, DREAMGIRLS composer Henry Krieger came as the interviewee.
What news did he share? Quite a lot. We also watched a clip of Gavin Creel singing the DREAMGIRLS title song alongside two other males. That took place recently on the Rosie cruise.
1. He is working on a Broadway musical of THE FLAMINGO KID with lyricist Susan Birkenhead and SPRING AWAKENING director Michael Mayer. He mentioned that workshop readings are in the works and that Santino Fontana, who opened in the role of Matt in the revival of THE FANTASTICKS, will likely take the lead role.
2. The entire creative team of SIDE SHOW has been offered the opportunity to remount the show at San Diego's Old Globe Theatre.
3. Broadway.com Bruce Glikas was said by Krieger to be the first person to think of using Jennifer Hudson as Effie. Rudetsky, however, replied as follows:
"I'm not saying I was resonsible for the movie being made and Jennifer Hudson being cast, but you do the math." (Rudetsky did a benefit concert of DREAMGIRLS in 2001 and also featured Hudson in his HAIR concert in 2004.)
4. Krieger claimed he doesn't care that he didn't win an Oscar for best song. In fact, he said that the decision to push for three songs from the film, rather than one, was done so that they could perform all three on the broadcast. Though this killed their chances at winning, he said that the screen time was more valuable. "I did it intentionally and I have no regrets," Krieger said. "I'm 62. I don't need an Oscar."