What about the director? The reason Michael Crawford was so accomplished and brilliant in "The Phantom Of The Opera" was because he had a no nonsense director like Harold Prince. "Dance Of The Vampires" would have done better with Hal or someone with his work ethic in charge. John Rando, an inexperienced director working with the likes of Michael Crawford, doesn't solve the equation.
What about the producers? Cameron Mackintosh told Michael from day one that he wasn't the star of "The Phantom Of The Opera", even though it was a major role, similar to Count Von Krolock in "Tanz Der Vampire". The producers of "Dance Of The Vampires" more or less made out that the show would make or break on the strength of Michael's involvement. Big mistake.
It slightly bothers me how he always gets the finger (like the executive producer and main star always get the finger in movies gone wrong) when there were so many other contributory factors. John Rando, the incompetent hack producers, whoever thought the comedy would work with the original concept and Steinman's vast epic score, the Minskoff Theater which made the sound mix sound like soup, etc. etc.
I blame Michael Crawford, certainly, but I also blame a lot of others.
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