Tony Winner Marc Shaiman Comments on 'Twittergate'

It was brought to BroadwayWorld.com's attention on Wednesday via a shocking amount of emails to our "Twitter Watch" inbox, that one of the more than 200 Broadway-related Tweeters that we were picking up the feed of, was a casting director, Daryl Eisenberg, who was 'tweeting' during auditions with her take on some of the performers (mentioning none by name) with live comments, both good and bad, after they'd auditioned. 

EVERYONE is talking about this story including The New York Times which ran an article this morning on what is now being labeled as 'Twittergate', you can read the Times feature by clicking here.

In relation to The New York Times Arts Beat essay on the matter, Tony Award-winning composer Marc Shaiman voiced his view on the ever evolving subject in the comments section of the article.

Shaiman stated that:

When I read about it (as it was happening..what a world!) I Googled her to get her number, called and left a message. She returned the call and I told her what I HOPE anyone else with a show to cast would, which was that I was appalled and that I would never employ a casting agency that allowed that behavior (at that point, it was unclear to me if it was her or an associate doing the twittering).

To undercut the confidence of actors at this most vulnerable moment is not just mean, but for a casting director, rather insane. A casting director should nurture and build confidence. She did her employer no favors.

What a world! What a world!

- Marc Shaiman

Eisenberg herself spoke with BroadwayWorld.com yesterday morning in an interview available by clicking here. Noted casting professional Paul Russell gave his view on the controversy via his blog which you can read by going here. Backstage.com has weighed in as well here. 

We checked in with an Equity Spokesperson on the subject, and yesterday they released the news that "Billy Butler, Producer and composer of GAY BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN, has scheduled a second EPA for the NYMF production." This is the show that was the subject of much consternation among Equity members. BroadwayWorld.com has learned that Daryl Eisenberg Casting will conduct the AEA requested second EPA.

The subject remains a hot topic on BroadwayWorld.com's message boards as well. 

Marc Shaiman has earned five Academy Award nominations, a Tony Award and a Grammy Award for his work on the musical Hairspray, and an Emmy Award for co-writing Billy Crystal's Academy Award hosting performances. His film credits include Broadcast News, Beaches, When Harry Met Sally..., City Slickers, The Addams Family, Sister Act, Sleepless In Seattle, A Few Good Men, The American President, The First Wives Club, George of the Jungle, In & Out, Patch Adams, South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, Team America: World Police and HBO's From the Earth to the Moon, and 61*. He frequently works on films by Billy Crystal, Rob Reiner, and Trey Parker, and has also appeared on screen in many of these films. He also wrote the viral media sensation PROP 8 THE MUSICAL which became a massive hit on FunnyOrDie.com and received a live Broadway premiere on Monday, February 23rd, 2009 at the Gershwin Theatre as a special part of the "Defying Inequality- The Broadway Concert, A Celebrity Benefit for Equal Rights." 

Shaiman is currently in the midst of the out of town production of his new musical CATCH ME IF YOU CAN which is being presented at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre. 

Adapted from the screenplay by Jeff Nathanson and the book written by Frank Abagnale Jr. and Stan Redding, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, the world premiere musical based on the hit DreamWorks film boasts a book by four-time Tony Award-winner Terrence McNally, who joins forces with the collaborative team behind the hit musical Hairspray, including five-time Tony Award-winning director Jack O'Brien, Tony Award-winning choreographer Jerry Mitchell, and Tony Award-winning composing team Marc Shaiman (music & lyrics) and Scott Wittman (lyrics). The show has a limited three-week engagement playing through August 16, 2009.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.