Broadway theaters are dark now – one of the casualties of the coronavirus that has disrupted so much of normal life. The past couple years I’ve connected with New York Broadway producing organizations and people in the “biz,” I thought it would be interesting to share some behind the scenes information. Enjoy! It’s my fervent hope that Broadway, which has so enriched our lives, will come roaring back better than ever.
Broadway producer Jill Furman, who won a Tony Award for Hamilton and In the Heights, talks about how she looks at theater projects.*
I don’t take on too many projects, because every project is a labor of love, and I need to feel passionate about each one. I look for material that is unique and special, but because it is a business, I have to believe the projects can have broad appeal. An aspirational or relatable tale, a singular idea, vision, sound, or fresh take on a story are all elements that speak to me.
Film is more of a director’s medium, whereas theater and tv are more writers’ mediums. Also, producers in television and film get paid at least some of their salaries upfront, whereas theater producers don’t make a dime until a show is actually produced. Theater is more of a research and development business. But at their core, each medium represents different modes of telling stories, and great stories being told in exciting ways are what interest me.
*thanks to CTI’s blog.
