What a thrill to welcome Cyndi Lauper to the podcast for its first season finale! In their illuminating conversation, Cyndi and Hal speak about her very personal process writing "Not My Father's Son” for Kinky Boots and the importance of her glass ceiling-breaking Tony win for Best Original Score. Cyndi reflects on the roles of women in her family and their influence in shaping her idea of womanhood. Finally, Cyndi shares the creative freedom she feels while writing for Broadway and the...

What an honor to spend some time in conversation with legendary costume designer, Jane Greenwood! Jane and Hal spoke about how she approaches the same show twice, the ethos for design she imparts on her students, and how American theatre has changed over her nearly sixty years in the industry. Jane Greenwood has been designing on Broadway for more than fifty years. Originally from Liverpool, England, Ms. Greenwood was educated at the Central School of Arts and Crafts in London. She began her...

Such an illuminating conversation with David Rockwell today. David shared with Hal the importance of community theater in his childhood, his approach to designing the factory space for Kinky Boots, and why he thinks theater is miraculous. David Rockwell, FAIA, is the founder and President of Rockwell Group, an interdisciplinary architecture and design firm based in New York, with satellite offices in Los Angeles and Madrid, that merges theater, performance and architecture to create...

What a full, and at times bittersweet, conversation with Jenny Steingart today about her life in the arts. Jenny spoke about how her mentor, the late Margo Lion, paved the way for her in producing, what most nourishes her about the arts, and the poignant inspiration behind her founding Arts Nova. Jenny produces theater, film, and television. Recent productions include Freestyle Love Supreme on Broadway, a limited engagement of Sir Patrick Stewart's A Christmas Carol, Tina Fey’s Mean Girls,...

Such a pleasure to sit down with Nick Salmon, who has had an incredible career in theatrical producing and managing. Hal and Nick discuss touring in the UK versus in the US, subscription models, mentoring the next generation of producers. Although Nick’s interest in theatre dates back to his school days, he learned the West End business during his time as a theatrical agent. He also worked on several films including The Go Between and The Railway Children, before returning to theatre. During...

So wonderful to catch up with Dede Ayite, who made her Broadway debut in the 2018 revival of Children of a Lesser God. On the podcast today, Dede and Hal explore how to use design to construct character, how she imparts the value of transformation on her students, and the creative benefit of embracing failure. Dede Ayite is a two time tony nominated costume designer whose Broadway credits include A Soldier’s Play, Slave Play, American Son, and Children of a Lesser God. Select Off-Broadway...

Today’s conversation with friend and collaborator Nick Scandalios is incredibly informative. As a theatre owner and producer, Nick’s expansive understanding of what it takes to put on a show on Broadway and beyond is so valuable. He and Hal talk the history of the Nederlander Organization, Nick’s approach to touring, and what makes the theatre industry so unique. Nick is the Executive Vice President of the Nederlander Organization, one of the largest owners of legitimate theatres in the...

It was an absolute delight to speak with Annaleigh Ashford today on how she constructs a character, her advice for auditioning, and her favorite memories of performing in Legally Blonde. Annaleigh Ashford is a Tony Award-winning actress for theatre, film, and television. Her Broadway credits include: Sunday in the Park With George, You Can’t Take It With You (Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, and Outer Critics Circle Award), Sylvia, Kinky Boots (Clarence Derwent Award, Tony, Drama Desk, Outer...

What an incredible opportunity to speak to Brooke Ishibashi this week and learn about the historic arts advocacy of Be An Arts Hero. The intersectional grassroots campaign champions proportionate relief to the Arts & Culture sector of the American economy. Brooke, the Co-founder and Director of Talent Outreach and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for BAAH, shared the mission, inspiration, and successes for this essential organization born out of the pandemic. A fourth-generation Japanese...

Such a moving conversation with Lonny Price, actor and director, on the podcast this week. Lonny spoke about his life in the theatre beginning in legendary producer Hal Prince’s office, acting in Stephen Sondheim’s “Merrily We Roll Along,” transitioning to directing, and even revealing moments and memories he hasn’t shared before. In the fall of 2019, Lonny directed the world premiere of the Mitnick/Gwon collaboration, SCOTLAND PA., for the Roundabout Theatre (produced in association with Hal...

Such a treat to speak with Nell and Larry, the hilarious duo behind Legally Blonde, the Musical. We spoke about identifying a musical moment, the creative benefits of going away to “Camp Blonde”, and of which Legally Blonde moment they’re most proud. Nell Benjamin is a Laurence Olivier-winning and Tony-nominated composer and lyricist. For Broadway, with Larry, Nell wrote Legally Blonde: The Musical. Also for Broadway, Mean Girls. Off-Broadway, Nell’s credits include: The Explorers Club; Dave...

What a joy to sit down with Kate Maguire this week. As the CEO and Artistic Director of the Berkshire Theatre Group, Kate lends incredible insight to the importance of developing new work and how to balance the artistic and financial needs of any production. Kate and Hal also share their magical first memories in the theatre. Kate Maguire is Artistic Director and CEO of Berkshire Theatre Group (BTG). In 2010, she oversaw the merger of two historic organizations: Berkshire Theatre Festival in...

What a detailed conversation today with Stephen Lindsay and Brett Sirota, co-founders of The Road Company. Stephen and Brett lay the groundwork for building and planning a tour and map out their own journeys to becoming bookers. This is an essential conversation for understanding how producing extends beyond Broadway. Stephen has enjoyed over two decades of distributing, producing and presenting touring productions throughout North America. As the co-owner and primary sales agent at The Road...

What an incredible conversation with Korean Producer Yoonha Choi! As head of international producing operations for CJ ENM’s performing arts department, Yoonha has overseen a Korean production of Kinky Boots, which successfully ran during the COVID pandemic. Yoonha also shares how Kinky’s popularity has impacted the musical theatre genre in Korea, what most inspires him to take across oceans, and his biggest hope for the business side of Broadway. CJ ENM is Korea’s leading entertainment...

It was such a treat to sit down with Jeffrey Finn, the Vice President of Theater Producing and Programming at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. As the curator, commissioner, producer and presenter of all aspects of the theater for the "Cadillac" of institutions, he opened a Pandora's box of questions sharing his keen insight on how he communicates with this subscribers and what he's done to adapt their programming during an uncertain time. You'll see why I'm such a fan of...

Colleen Jennings-Roggensack, arts leader and visionary, is Vice President for Cultural Affairs for Arizona State University and Executive Director of ASU Gammage. In this inspiring and warm conversation, Colleen speaks with Hal about the safety measures she’s implementing for ASU’s audiences, the educational and outreach programs she is championing for children and families, and the thing she’s most hoping will change about the theatre in her lifetime. Colleen has artistic, fiscal and...

Victoria Bailey, Executive Director of the Theatre Development Fund (TDF), speaks with Hal about making the arts welcoming for all audiences. She and Hal discuss the beauty of a child’s first visit to Broadway, how producers can support contemporary American playwrights, and the healing power of storytelling. Victoria Bailey has been the executive director of TDF since 2001. The not-for-profit organization is dedicated to bringing the performing arts to everyone. TDF sustains live theatre and...

Mike Isaacson, artistic director and executive producer of the iconic MUNY in St. Louis, shares his producing philosophy. From his beginnings as a theatre critic to the Broadway stage, Mike chats with Hal about his key to success, the importance of giving young artists command of the stage, and what it means to be part of St. Louis’ summer ritual. Mike Isaacson is in his ninth season, and he is only the third person to hold this position in The Muny’s 101-year history. To date, he has...

Today on Broadway Biz, Hal welcomes Sandy Block to the podcast. Sandy is one of the best marking minds in the business, and shares his knowledge on how to identify a show's personality, what kind of artwork catches his attention, and the lessons he and Hal have learned from each other. Sandy Block is Communications Strategist at New York’s Roundabout Theatre Company. In addition, in recent seasons, he served as associate producer and marketing director for Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish at...

In our first episode for 2021, Hal welcomes Kenny Leon to the podcast. During their chat, Kenny shares with Hal how he approached directing the same play for Broadway twice, why he believes the arts are such an important part of education, and the positive ways the pandemic has forced us to be better listeners for each other. Kenny Leon is a Tony and Obie Award-winning and Emmy-nominated Broadway and Television director. Most recently, he directed Lifetime’s Robin Roberts Presents: The...

Today, Hal sits down with Charlotte St. Martin, President of The Broadway League. Charlotte and Hal chat about which program Charlotte’s most proud of starting, what she thinks makes a good producer, and why Broadway shows are so magical. Charlotte came to the Broadway League in 2006 from Loews Hotels, where over three decades she became one of the highest-ranking women in the hospitality industry. Charlotte St Martin was named President of the Broadway League in 2015, where she had been...

This episode, Hal invites Jerry Mitchell to the podcast. Jerry a two-time Tony Award-winning choreographer and director for Broadway. In today’s conversation, Hal and Jerry discuss the beginnings of Broadway Bares, which to date has raised over $20 million for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDs, how to identify a star in the audition room, and what he thinks makes a story perfect for Broadway. Jerry has been involved in over 50 Broadway, Off-Broadway, West End, and touring productions. As a...

This episode, Hal invites Maggie Brohn to the podcast. Maggie is the Executive Producer for Hamilton worldwide and Chief Operating Officer of Adventureland LCC, the lead producer for Hamilton and other Broadway shows. Hal and Maggie break down the roles and responsibilities of a general manager, reveal the story behind Legally Blonde's infamous "party bike", and try to answer that age old question, why are Broadway tickets so expensive? Maggie's other recent productions include Derren Brown:...

This episode, Hal sits down with Rick Miramontez, press guru and President of DKC/O&M, the PR powerhouse for everything Broadway and Off Broadway. Hal and Rick chat Tony parties, strategies for any review, and identifying a show’s best asset.  Rick’s Broadway clients include Hadestown, To Kill a Mockingbird, Ain’t Too Proud, and Dear Evan Hansen. From 2011-2014, O&M Co. executed the most famous press campaign inBroadway history when it represented SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark.   For...