I don't understand why they needed Michael Crawford's name anyway. Roman Polanski has more clout than Crawford does, surely. All they had to do was use Polanski's name in connection with the Broadway production. It would have stirred up controversy, to be sure, but remember the public reaction in 2003. Half the audience applauded and the other half remained in their seats when Polanski got the Oscar for "The Pianist". It was a much more controversial marketing prospect than Crawford, some flabby old rich guy who really only had a hit with "Hello, Dolly!" and "The Phantom Of The Opera". I know the artists should have been promoted first and foremost but if they wanted names, Polanski was their guy. They could have even had him direct via satellite or associate director.
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