Director David Warren Joins Carrafa for Good Vibrations Rehearsals

Broadway.com has learned that director David Warren has been brought in to work on Good Vibrations, the Beach Boys musical, directed and choreographed by John Carrafa and featuring a book by Richard Dresser. The tuner is currently in previews at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre in preparation for a January 27 opening.

Warren is best known in New York for his direction of plays, including Holiday and Summer and Smoke on Broadway. However he does have some musical theater background. His credits in the genre include William Finn's Romance in Hard Times at the Public Theater and the Barry Manilow musical Harmony at La Jolla Playhouse he was also attached to helm the 2003 pre-Broadway tryout of the tuner, but the planned mounting was cancelled because of lack of funding.

A two-time Tony nominated choreographer, Carrafa is making his Broadway debut as a director with Good Vibrations, which began previews on December 20 after losing its best known cast member, American Idol's Justin Guarini, during rehearsals. Carrafa was originally hired to just choreograph the project but took the reins a year and a half ago and directed the show's public workshop at Vassar College in Summer 2004. As is typical for new musicals, Good Vibrations has been undergoing changes during public performances with Carrafa himself taking to the stage to explain that the show is a work-in-progress. By opening night, some new choreography particularly for the title number and a slightly revised book will be in place. Inside sources say that Warren is primarily assisting Carrafa and the cast with the musical's book scenes.

It is unlikely that Warren will receive official credit for his involvement in the show. Directors and choreographers who come in to insist on shows after rehearsals typically do not receive credit--for instance, Rob Marshall stepped in for original Seussical director Frank Galati after the show's poorly received out-of-town tryout, but received no billing. La Cage aux Folles director Jerry Zaks similarly helped shape The Capeman during its preview period at the Marquis Theatre in 1998. There are exceptions--Brooklyn director Jeff Calhoun did receive a "choreographic consultant" credit for his work on Taboo, which he joined during technical rehearsals.

"John Carrafa is the director, choreographer and co-writer and is totally in charge," a Good Vibrations spokesperson said. "David Warren is a friend of many people involved in the production."