News & Notes

DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES - The Most Successful Musical Of 2001

12/12/01 Stella Entertainment Press Release - Stuttgart

Market Leader STELLA Entertainment AG's production of DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES has been seen by more than 600,000 visitors this year and is the most successful German musical of 2001. In addition, the trade magazine Musicals named DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES the distinguished recipient of the 2001 Reader's Choice Award for "Favorite Long-Running Musical."

The numbers speak for themselves! "DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES is the most successful musical in Germany," explains Klaus von der Heyde, Chairman of the Board of STELLA Entertainment AG. "It's a musical that's appealed to a completely new target group and has allowed us to bring a younger demographic of visitors into our theaters."

Since March 31, 2000, when the VAMPIRES began their mischief, crowds of people have found their way to Stuttgart - and more continue to come. On the 12th of December, 2001 the one-millionth visitor experienced DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES live in Stuttgart.

There are big plans in the coming years for Vampires. "The musical is doing so well that we plan to keep it in Stuttgart until at least 2004," said Klaus von der Heyde. In addition to this achievement, DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES is expected to become the first original German-language production to transfer to Broadway, New York in the autumn of next year. German Press Release

Vampires Enlist You!

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Every hour of waiting just enhances our lust…

On October 5, 2001, David Sonenberg, producer of Dance Of The Vampires confirmed that the show would not open in April 2002 as had been initially planned. The tragic events of September 11, 2001 have made it necessary to reschedule. Here is the excerpt from the New York Times:

Delay for 'Vampires'

There is another Broadway postponement to report: "Dance of the Vampires," a musical based on the 1967 Roman Polanski film "The Fearless Vampire Killers," will not be seen this season.

Its producer, David Sonenberg, said yesterday that he had decided to push back the show's opening until next fall. The show, originally scheduled for late April, will instead open on Oct. 24 at the Minskoff Theater.

Mr. Sonenberg said most of the show's creative team, including John Caird, the co-director, was based in London, which caused myriad logistic delays. "We haven't been able to do anything productive since all this happened," he said. "We just realized there was no way to open before the Tony cutoff."

Coming To Broadway October 24, 2002!

Michael Crawford To Dance

NEW YORK (Variety) - Fourteen years after his blood-letting turn in "The Phantom of the Opera,'' actor Michael Crawford returns to Broadway this season in another musical of the macabre, "Dance of the Vampires.''

Based on Roman Polanski's 1967 movie spoof "The Fearless Vampire Killers," the show opens April 11 at the Minskoff Theater. Full Story

Casting Begins and Tentative Opening Dates Announced!

Casting for Dance Of The Vampires will begin September 4th in New York. Rehearsals are slated to start January 7, 2002. According to current plans, the first preview at Broadway's Minskoff Theater will be on March 5th and the show will officially open a month later on April 11th. All this point, all dates remain tentative.

And The Melody's Gonna Make Me Fly…

Steve Barton, Tanz der Vampire’s original Count von Krolock, died July 21, 2001. May he rest without pain, without fear. Godspeed, Steve.

Holy Garbo, Batman!

A long list of varied projects are still in development and making very good progress...they include, among others, Warner’s development of the Steinman/Ives musical Batman. MTV is still slated to produce Wuthering Heights California for next season, and Jim is creating yet another new musical based on the life of Greta Garbo. Greta Garbo The Musical is tentatively scheduled to open in 2002 in Stockholm, Sweden before, hopefully, moving to Berlin, London’s West End and Broadway. The show features a book by Warner Brown. Music will be composed and arranged by Michael Reed and Jim Steinman. The show’s director will be Scott Faris.

A WICKed Tribute!

John Wick, award-winning author and game designer (best known for his work on Legend of the Five Rings and 7th Sea for AEG), is developing a new Role Playing Game called Neverland and inspired by the music of Jim Steinman.

The Windy Cities:

Whistle Down The Wind - UK Tour 2001 - 2002

• Design by PAUL FARNSWORTH
• Lighting by NICK RICHINGS
• Choreography by HENRY METCALFE
• Musical director DAVID STEADMAN
• Produced & directed by BILL KENWRIGHT

The following information was provided by Bill Kenwright Ltd. and is subject to change. Please confirm all details of interest to you directly with the venue. Box office numbers have been provided.

• Sept. 14 - 29 Theater Royal, Plymouth - Box Office 01752267222
• Oct. 2 - 13 Kings Theater, Glasgow - Box Office 01412875429
• Oct. 15 - 22 Alhambra, Bradford - Box Office 01274752000
• Oct. 29 - Nov 5 New Theatre, Cardiff - Box Office 02920878889
• Nov. 12 - 19 Hippodrome, Birmingham - Box Office 01216227486
• Nov. 26 - ? To Be Confirmed
• Dec. 3 - 15 Apollo Theatre, Oxford - Box Office 01865244544
• Dec. 17 - Jan. 14 Empire Theatre, Liverpool - Box Office 01517083206
• Jan. 21 - Feb 2 Festival Theatre, Edinburg - Box Office 01315296000
• Feb. 4 - Feb16 Empire Theatre, Sunderland - Box Office 01915142517
• Feb. 18 - 25 Grand Theatre. Wolverhampton - Box Office 01902421447
• March 4 - 11 His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen - Box Office 01224641122
• March 18 - 30 Opera House, Manchester - Box Office 01612422525
• April 1 - 13 Mayflower Theatre, Southampton - Box Office 02380711811
• April 15 - ? To Be Confirmed
• April 22 - ? To Be Confirmed
• April 29 - May 6 Hippodrome, Bristol 01179299444

Vampire State Building

An English language reading of Dance Of The Vampires was held April 27th in New York for the show’s investors. A workshop production will be staged in mid-May for theater owners. The cast for the reading and workshop is as listed below:

• Steve Barton - Count von Krolock (Phantom Of The Opera)
• Sarah Uriarte Berry - Sarah (Les Miserables)
• Max von Essen - Alfred (Jesus Christ Superstar)
• William Youmans - Professor Abronsius (Titanic)
• Tom Alan Robbins - Chagal (The Lion King)
• Bertilla Baker - Rebecca (Titanic)
• Kate Shindle - Magda (Caberet - she is also the former Miss America, 1998)
• Jason Wooten - Herbert (Footloose, also Starmites 2001)
• Ken Jennings - Koukol (Sweeney Todd)

Dance Of The Vampires -

Book by Jim Steinman, David Ives and John Caird as adapted from the German libretto of Michael Kunze.

Music and Lyrics by Jim Steinman

Directed by Jim Steinman & John Caird

Executive Producer is Andrew Braunsberg

Produced by Elizabeth Williams & Anita Waxman

Planned Broadway arrival is early 2002.
Opening Date and Theater To Be Announced.

Brief Notes

Development of Batman - The Musical (Book by Ives, Music/Lyrics by Steinman) for Warner Brothers continues. The show may receive a reading later this summer.

Vampires Begin The Dance Toward Broadway

The reading for U.S. producers and investors of Dance Of The Vampires is planned for the last week of April in New York. John Caird will co-direct with Jim. David Ives (who wrote the book for the upcoming Warner Bros. Steinman/Ives musical - Batman) is now also involved in Dance Of The Vampires as the one of the projects librettists.

Going Batty

Thrilled with the final script (Ives) and score (Steinman) presented to them for Batman The Musical, Warner Bros. Has “green-lighted” the project for a late 2002 arrival in Gotham. Possible directors for the projects are being explored at this time.

A Hell Of A Cover

A Q Magazine special edition - The 100 Best Record Covers Of All Time features the cover art for Bat Out Of Hell. Art by Corben -Concept by Steinman. The write-up is featured on this web site at: 100 Best Covers

Forbidden Fires Burn In Boston

A new Steinman related project is now underway, with Jim's consent, called Forbidden Fire…The Musical Legacy of Jim Steinman. The project is the brainchild of Lisa "Lucky" DesPres, the talent coordinator and artistic director of one of the largest club venues in the Boston, Massachusetts area. Collaborating with Lisa are Angie Winterbottom and Emily DeGraff both longtime and profound Steinmaniacs. The show will be done revue style with Steinman songs serving as both the musical numbers and the emotional premise upon which each of the various scenes is written. Top caliber talent has already been recruited and Gary Cherone (formerly of Extreme / Van Halen and presently with Tribe of Judah) has been confirmed as one of the show's stars. Forbidden Fire plans a Fall 2002 opening in Boston with hopes of moving to New York shortly thereafter. A statement from Lisa follows:

"We're very fortunate to have a muse of such legendary standing as Mr. Steinman. It is our mission to reintroduce his music to the world in a way that allows the fundamental heroism to shine through. Though most (lay-persons) are familiar with a number his songs, they unfortunately don't make the connection. They don't know there is one man behind an epic body of work. We look forward to the resounding "WOW" when the general public realizes that the same man who brought them Paradise By The Dashboard Light, also brought them Total Eclipse and It's All Coming Back to Me Now. It's time for Jim and his music to be appreciated autonomously. In the manner one recognizes a Mozart composition - or on a more contemporary level, those of Leiber and Stohler. Indeed, few contemporary composers have enjoyed such longevity. Let us celebrate the artist who "made" the music as we've celebrated the artists who have performed it."

Lisa "Lucky" DesPres

Producer Forbidden Fire

More Bat To Love

On January 30th Legacy, a division of Sony Music, released an "expanded" version of Bat Out Of Hell. This new edition features two additional tracks recorded live at Nassau Coliseum in Hempstead (Long Island), New York in 1978. New tracks include Steinman's adaptation of classical composer Maurice Ravel's "Bolero"( which was used to open the stage show for the original Bat Out Of Hell Tour) and a blistering 15 minute "in-concert" version of the album's title track. Read a well-written review of this release here.

I'm Obsessed With Obsession

MTV announced, as part of it's plan to develop 10 new original movies, "Wuthering Heights." The Emily Bronte classic about obsessive love takes a new spin in a contemporary adaptation based on a screenplay by Jim Steinman and Patricia Louisiana Knop. Jim will be executive producer and compose the original score for the movie. The writers, Max Enscoe and Annie deYoung, are currently working on two horror-thriller scripts (Day The World Ended & The Spider) for HBO and expect their first cinematic release to come in Fall of 2001 with "Wooly Boys." MTV generally spends in excess of 4 million dollars per movie and expects to complete production on "Wuthering Heights" in late 2001 or early 2002.

We'll Miss It, No Matter What

Whistle Down The Wind has closed in London after a successful 2 1/2 year run that spawned the immensely successful single, No Matter What. Collectors will be interested to know that Donny Osmond covers that song on his current release "This Is The Moment."

After a West End run of over two and a half years, the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jim Steinman musical, Whistle Down the Wind, will close at the Aldwych theatre on Saturday Jan 6th 2001.

Andrew Lloyd Webber said, "I am sad to see "Whistle Down the Wind" go, though a two and half year run is pretty good. Although with hindsight I feel I might have been treading water, the show did contain 'No Matter What', my biggest ever Number One hit in the UK, and many other songs of which I am extremely proud. That is why I will return to it."

There is talk about the show possibly changing theaters - (the Aldwych is not one of the many owned by ALW's RUG) - or taking it on tour. It's sad news because the musical is really very beautiful, consistently placed in the Top 10 selling shows of the West End and recouped it's investment.

Let The Revels Begin - Vampires Dance On Broadway

Dance Of The Vampires is scheduled to arrive on Broadway in Fall 2001.

The show will feature book, music and lyrics by Steinman and he'll also be co-directing.

Holy Cow - It's Batman

Work on Batman - The Musical, (a Warners Brothers project), continues. Steinman provides music and lyrics for a David Ives book. It will likely come to Broadway in the 2001-2002 season.

Isn't It Romantic?

Frank Wildhorn is developing a new concept in musical theater. His project is called The Romantics and on it he'll collaborate with a variety of lyricists, including Jim Steinman, Don Black and Stephen Schwartz. Wildhorn describes it as "a multi-layered project about ten couples." (Couples include Adam & Eve, Bonnie & Clyde, and F.Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald). Wildhorn hopes The Romantics will spawn two albums, a television special, material to use in a concert setting and two complete musicals. Wildhorn's wife (Jekyll and Hyde star) Linda Eder, is the female star of the show and will be featured in all female lead parts. Steinman will provide lyrics for the Ladyhawke section of the musical. Ladyhawke is the story of two lovers - cursed to walk through life together, yet endlessly apart. Separated by an evil spell, they alternate between animal (hawk or wolf) and human form - allowed to be together, both as humans, during the brief moments when day turns to night and night turns to day. A total eclipse helps bring an end to black magic that plagues them.

Until The Very End, I'm There

RUG Denies Whistle Down The Wind Closing Rumors

Rumors have been circulating, (largely started by remarks made by Andrew Lloyd Webber to Variety Magazine while doing press for his current musical, The Beautiful Game) that Whistle Down The Wind may close in January 2001. RUG denies this and is booking through Spring 2001. Whistle Down The Wind continues to do well - 2 1/2 years since opening, it generally ranks in the West End Top 10 and it's almost completely recouped all investment money. The Aldwych Theater, where Whistle is housed, is not one of the many West End theaters owned by RUG/ALW. My hope is that this philosophical and poignant work will continue to be available to audiences for many years to come.

No Matter Where There's Darkness, I Bring My Song To You:

Michael Ball sings No Matter What on his upcoming release "Michael Ball - This Time...It's Personal." The CD is scheduled for released on October 23rd with a video release scheduled to follow.

Forever's Gonna Start Tonight

Pia Douwes, Uwe Kroeger, Viktor Gernot and Marika Lichter teamed to perform four concerts in Vienna last September. The show, called "In Love Again...With Musicals," featured a Pia Douwes and Uwe Kroeger duet on Totale Finsternis (Total Eclipse Of the Heart) from Tanz der Vampire. A live recording release is planned and this number is slated for inclusion. A release date has not yet been announced.

Did You Get To Try Anything New?

In addition to the above, Jim continues to work on a variety of exciting projects. Although it's premature to discuss these "back burner" projects with certainty, they include developing new talent for the Ravenous Records label, developing a screenplay for TV, plus work on an assortment of musicals.

No Way Jose!

Jim Steinman is not involved with Meat Loaf's latest recording endeavor, Fun House.

Restless Records / DAS Label Press Release

23 YEARS AND 37 MILLION RECORDS LATER …

"BAT OUT OF HELL" GOES COUNTRY

Meat Loaf's "Bat Out Of Hell" was released in 1977 and has sold over 37 million copies since. A new spin on the extraordinarily successful rock-opera classic will feature various country artists covering the tunes on "Bat Out Of Nashville." More

On July 26th VH1 plans to air "Meat Loaf: To Hell and Back," a new original movie that tells Meat Loaf's version of his dramatic rise to fame in the 1970s, his subsequent fall as a result of personal and professional problems, and his return to fame after recording the sequel to Bat Out Of Hell in 1993 with Jim Steinman. W. Earl Brown ("There's Something About Mary") stars as Meat Loaf, Dedee Pfeiffer ("For Your Love") as Lesley Aday and Zachary Throne ("Frank Leaves for the Orient") as the Meat's legendary inventor, Jim Steinman. The film is directed by Jim McBride ("Great Balls of Fire," "The Big Easy").

Steinman and most others portrayed in the film, aside from Meat Loaf, were not consulted on the script with regard to accuracy or content.

Stuttgart's Tanz der Vampire stars Kevin Tarte and Barbara Köhler's performance of "Totale Finsternis" on the German TV station ZDF-Sendung on the program "Straße der Lieder" has been rescheduled. They are now tentatively scheduled to appear April 22nd.

The Stuttgart cast of Tanz der Vampire are also scheduled to appear on "Kinderquatsch mit Michael" on April 1st but that date is also subject to change.

Jim's record label, Ravenous, is now associated with the Columbia Records family of music. A variety of projects are being planned.

"Dance Of The Vampires" (Stuttgart, Germany version) opens March 31, 2000 with previews beginning mid/late March. Returning visitors to the show will be pleased to find an extended and re-written Draussen Ist Freiheit/dance sequence. Visit Stella on-line for booking and ticket information.

http://www.musical.de/vampire/de/html/index.html

"Dance Of The Vampires" (United States version) is working toward a Fall 2001 Broadway arrival. Contrary to a report appearing in a New York paper's gossip column, Roman Polanski will not be directing the U.S. production.

Jim continues to prepare "Batman : The Musical" for Warner Bros. with book by David Ives, music and lyrics by Steinman.

Filming is set to begin on VH1's Meat Loaf bio-pic "To Hell And Back." Although an actor has been cast and a role scripted for Steinman, Jim was not involved in script development nor will he assist with production.

A United States release of "The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Plays The Music Of Meat Loaf" is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, April 25, 2000. Orchestral renditions of Bat Out Of Hell, Dead Ringer For Love, You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth, Rock And Roll Dreams Come Through, I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That), Read 'em And Weep, Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad, and Paradise By The Dashboard Light are featured on the 12 track collection. The Royal Philharmonic, one of the premier orchestras in the world, have previously featured the songs of U2, R.E.M Oasis and Madonna.

Current Cast For The Stuttgart Premiere Of Dance Of The Vampires:

Lead Roles:

• Count von Krolock - Kevin Tarte
• Von Krolock (alternate) - Charles Fornara
• Alfred - Aris Sas
• Alfred (alternate) - Fritz Schmid
• Sarah - Barbara Köhler
• Sarah (alternate) - Christina Koeb
• Professor Abronsius - Werner Bauer
• Chagal - James Sbano
• Rebecca - Anne Welte
• Herbert - Thomas Mülner
• Magda - Maaike Schuurmans
• Koukol - Torsten Flach

Ensemble:

• Raymond Sepe - Understudy Krolock / Chagal
• René Rosenburg - Understudy Alfred / Professor
• Thomas Christ
• Aleks diCapri
• Heinz-G. Schramm
• Isabella Prühs - Understudy Magda
• Juliana Albrecht - Understudy Rebecca
• Kelli Brisbane
• Maike Switzer
• Michaela Kollar

Dance Team:

Damian Kacperski, Akos Tihanyi, Philip Ranson, Bart Sluis, Witalji Kühne, Francseco Abós, Anne Tiger Days, Liane Maynard, Isabella Massé, Virginia Kop, Tiziana Doneda, Nuria Castells

Swings:

• Norbert Kohler - Understudy Alfred / Herbert
• Frank Röbling - Understudy Professor
• Alexander Wengel - Understudy Koukol
• Andrew Hunt - Dance Captain
• Matteo Gastaldo
• Lillemor Spitzer - Understudy Sarah
• Maryanne Kelly - Understudy Magda
• Marion Furtner - Understudy Sarah
• Kathryn Broadribb
• Melanie Gemeiner
• Yvonne Eggen

Tanz der Vampire prepares to open in Stuttgart, Germany

(Previews start March 17th, Opening Night - March 31st, 2000)

Booking Information: http://www.musical.de/vampire/de/html/index.html

Main Character Cast:

• Count von Krolock: Kevin Tarte (alternate): Charles Fornara
• Alfred: Aris Sas (alternate): Fritz Schmid
• Sarah: Barbara Köhler (alternate): Christina Koeb
• Professor Abronsius: Werner Bauer
• Chagal :  James Sbano
• Rebecca: Anne Welte
• Herbert: Thomas Mülner
• Magda:  Maaike Schuurmans
• Koukol: Torsten Flach

On Saturday March 25th, Kevin Tarte and Barbara Köhler (Stuttgart's Krolock and Sarah) will perform "Totale Finsternis" on the German TV station ZDF-Sendung on the program "Straße der Lieder."

NEW YORK MORNING SHOW LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE OVERLOOKED CANDIDATES FOR ROCK HALL

The New York morning team of Steve Mason & Sue Kolinsky who host what they call "The Anti Show" on 102.7 WNEW have launched the online ROCK HALL OVERSIGHT PETITION at the show's website at www.stevemason.com.

The list of overlooked candidates was compiled by Mason, Kolinsky, and callers over a period of weeks. "There were some obvious omissions like Aerosmith and Queen," says Mason, "but there are also some personal favorites." Sue Kolinsky is a big fan of Steely Dan and Laura Nyro, while Mason is a Harry Chapin aficionado and, having grown up in Toledo, has a soft spot for straight ahead rock like 38 Special, REO Speedwagon, and Cheap Trick. Two of the candidates who have clearly earned a place in The Rock Hall, but might not garner support without a public push are Burt Bacharach and Bernie Taupin. "Bacharach's career and influence spans the 60's, 70's, 80's, and 90's," Mason points out. "From his string of hits with Dionne Warwick to his recent collaborations with Elvis Costello, he is a distinctive musical voice that deserves recognition. As for Taupin, it is his lyrics that created hit after hit for Elton John. The Rock Hall is for songwriters as much as it is for performers."

Visitors to the website at www.stevemason.com can vote for as many of the candidates as they believe are deserving of Rock immortality. Mason & Kolinsky will foreward all online petitions to Rock Hall voters, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and to major music publications. Here is a list of all of the candidates on THE MASON & KOLINSKY ROCK HALL OVERSIGHT PETITION.

38 Special, Aerosmith, Burt Bacharach, Harry Chapin, Cheap Trick, Don McLean, Moody Blues, Rush, Laura Nyro, Queen, Stevie Nicks (solo), REO Speedwagon, Jim Steinman (writer/producer), Bernie  Taupin, Steely Dan