The Capeman

[1] A blend of doo-wop, gospel, and Latin music, it received Tony Award nominations for Best Original Score, Best Orchestrations and Best Scenic Design.

In 2008, Simon and the Spanish Harlem Orchestra performed The Capeman at the Brooklyn Academy of Music with some of the original cast and other well-known artists.

[2] Simon enlisted the help of Derek Walcott, a Nobel Prize-winning author and poet from the West Indies.

Their working relationship was awkward at first: Simon had become unused to this type of creative collaboration, and Walcott initially disliked the show's main character.

"[5] Theatre producer Rocco Landesman responded to Simon's statements: "The idea that you can at a strike rewrite an art form is a little presumptuous.

[3] Some of the high budget was due to Simon's insistence that his musicians participate in all rehearsals with the actors, not a typical practice in Broadway productions.

[citation needed]Significant work was done by director Jerry Zaks, hired in an "unofficial capacity" to help Morris.

[3] He wrote that the historical footage of Agron stole the show, especially young Sal's media statements that his mother could watch him burn.

Compared to Simon's other studio recordings, the album was not a success, peaking at position 42 of the Billboard 200 chart, the lowest of his career.

In the recording, Rivera can be heard acknowledging Simon's presence in the audience, and thanking him for the song on behalf of all Puerto Ricans.

An original cast soundtrack recording was produced featuring 21 tracks, but its release was postponed after the show's failure.

Shortly after the show's closure there were discussions of a Songs of The Capeman national concert tour, but these plans were abandoned.

He wrote, "Years from now, when some savvy producer is scouting old theater material for a scaled-down concert staging, The Capeman should be first on his list.

'"[13] Melillo's production featured the Spanish Harlem Orchestra led by Oscar Hernández, original music director for the Broadway Capeman.

"[14] In August 2010 a heavily revised production of The Capeman ran three shows at Central Park's Delacorte Theater, directed by Diane Paulus.

[18] Even so, Ben Brantley of the New York Times, who said the original Broadway production was "like watching a mortally wounded animal", gave a positive review, focusing on the organic staging outdoors on a rainy night in Central Park.

"Cover" for digital release of The Capeman (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
Poster for the 2010 production of The Capeman in Central Park