Monday, May 25, 2015

Broadway Budgets: Cost of Broadway Marketing & Advertising

Today, in response to a reader’s question, we’re going to talk about marketing and advertising costs for a Broadway musical! Just having the Broadway brand and a great new Broadw…

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Musical Moment Interview Series: Larry O’Keefe Part 2

In part two of our interview with Larry O’Keefe he talks about working with his wife, writer/lyricist, Nell Benjamin, his words of wisdom for writers and an update on what’s next…

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A Musical Moment: “Lucky Guy” Willard Beckham

I had the pleasure this week of talking with Willard Beckham, the writer, director and producer of the new Off-Broadway musical comedy, Lucky Guy. He’s proof that if you follow your dream …

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Inspiration from an Icon: Legendary Lyricist, Don Black

I had the great pleasure of having dinner recently with the legendary British lyricist, Don Black. Besides being known for some of musical theater’s most eloquent and memorable lyrics in s…

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Breaking the Rules of Social Media: Making Musicals

We’re going to break some social media rules today. If you’ve ever had to market a new musical you know that there are subtle and not so subtle ways to get the word out and social media …

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Apply Now! Current New Musical Development Opportunities

Happy 2012! This year, consider making it your New Year’s resolution to submit the new musical in your life to a new works festival or development opportunity. I’ve listed below a handfu…

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To Pick A Winning Musical, Follow Your Heart

At Sardi’s last week I ran across a much maligned theater columnist who, though quick to skewer the latest Broadway offerings, also knows more about about theater than just about anyone I�…

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“Don’t Stop Believing” In New Jukebox Musicals

The controversial subject of Broadway jukebox musicals came under hot debate at dinner with some musical theater colleagues in Washington, DC last week. Personally, I enjoy a well made jukeb…

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Could Broadway’s David Merrick be successful in 2011?

WWDMD (or What Would David Merrick Do?) I can confidently say that every producer colleague of mine has an admiration often bordering on obsession for this notorious producer. In addition to…

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5 Ways to Get Noticed by a Theater Company

In the business of making musicals, whether you’re a new writer, director, producer or actor this is a business where it pays to “know people.” And some of the most important peopl…

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Romancing The New Musical Option Process

I’m optioning a new musical right now and I’m learning quickly that there are some unfortunate realities about the option process that every new musical must overcome. Just so everyone�…

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Musical Moment: An Interview With Casting Director, Michael Cassara

Make Musicals had an exciting and enlightening conversation this afternoon with Michael Cassara, a Casting Director based in New York City. Dedicated to developing and fostering the growth o…

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Big Three Musical Theater Myths — Debunked

A few weeks back we discussed the myth that you have to be in NYC to have a successful musical and I hope we were effective in debunking it for you. Musical theater is the business of show, …

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Musical Theatre Festival: The Top 3 Priorities For Writers

It’s 19 days until Village Theatre’s Festival of New Musicals and if YOUR show was part of this year’s festival, you’d likely be doing several things in the next few days: - Staying …

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Sneak Peek Inside A Musical Theater Festival: Part 1

Starting today, I’ll be spending a month in Seattle and though we all know that the Northwest is the ideal place to enjoy the summer, I’ll be there on official Make Musicals business. I�…

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Musical Moment Interview Series: Artist Manager, Bruce Miller

Several readers have asked about artist MANAGERS…what they do, how they differ from an agent, why you need one, and how you get one. Manager extraordinaire, Bruce Miller, with an impre…

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Embrace Your Musical Theatre Fearlessness

I’ve had a really good month. The festival I was producing went off without a hitch, I signed on as a major producer for a new Broadway show, and am in option talks for another new musical…

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Learn to Speak Razzle Dazzle in 3 easy steps

If you’ve ever seen the musical Chicago (and if you’re reading this blog, you better have!) you’ll remember Billy Flynn’s famous number, Razzle Dazzle. It’s one of my favorite show…

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Reaching Musical Theater Producers: How to Make your Best Pitch

I hear from a lot of musical theater writers who are interested in participating in one of my new works programs. This is great news, since I’m always interested in knowing about new music…

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Personal Training in Musical Theater: You Better Work!

Now that summer is approaching, I’m starting my annual get-in-shape-for-summer workout routine. Here’s how it works. I plan out some sort of exercise that I’ll do for an hour every day…

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Banking On Bank Robbers With Broadway’s Bonnie & Clyde

I’ve had a thrilling few weeks! Those of you who follow me on social media already know but for the rest of you…I’ve come on board as an above the title producer of the new Broadwa…

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How to interpret Broadway Grosses

Every Monday, my friends at the Broadway League publish the weekly Broadway grosses. Since this can feel a bit like a interpreting a foreign language to those that don’t speak finance,…

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Ripped from the Headlines: How to avoid a musical lawsuit

I don’t know about you, but as I read the crazy things going on in the news these days or in days gone by, I frequently think, “wow, this would make a great musical.” For better or wor…

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4 Reasons To Keep Your New Born Musical Out of NYC

Whether or not you live in NYC you probably dream of getting your musical on its feet in the city that never sleeps. However,  when your musical is still in its infancy, don’t discount th…

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Making Musicals: 7 Reasons to Quit (and how to get over it)

There are times when the mountain you need to climb to reach your dream of making musicals can seem impossible. When you begin to focus on all of the things that are not within your control …

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Broadway (League) Bound

Next week I’ll be attending The Broadway League’s Annual Spring Road Conference. That’s where Broadway producers and road presenters (i.e. the folks in the various cities around the co…

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Being “Committed,” Not Crazy In Musical Theater

I’ve seen several new musicals in development this week and, as is to be expected, the quality of the shows was all over the board. However, what was consistently excellent at each and eve…

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Communication 101: Toeing the “Party Line”

One of the most delicate things about mounting a new musical is who gets a say in the development of the show. Whether spoken or unspoken there are rules about who gets to speak and you had …

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Where there’s a will there’s Broad-way

Though everyone agrees long distance romantic relationships seldom work, the same is not true for musical theater collaborations.  In fact, though you may think you can’t write, produ…

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Letting Go of Your Broadway Baby

A writer friend called me excitedly last week to share the news that a producer was interested in his new musical. He and his writing partner were thrilled! What writing team isn’t anxious…

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What Your Musical Can Learn From Presidential Politics

As the presidential primaries heat up, I can’t help but see similarities between a president’s path to the White House and a musical’s path to Broadway. In presidential politics, it’…

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All that Chat

2023-2024 BROADWAY SEASON
May 30, 2023: Grey House - Lyceum Theatre
Jun 26, 2023: Just For Us - Hudson Theatre
Jul 24, 2023: The Cottage - Hayes Theater
Nov 16, 2023: Spamalot - St. James Theatre
Dec 18, 2023: Appropriate - Hayes Theater
Mar 07, 2024: Doubt - Todd Haimes Theatre
Apr 14, 2024: Lempicka - Longacre Theatre
Apr 17, 2024: The Wiz - Marquis Theatre
Apr 18, 2024: Suffs - Music Box Theatre
Apr 25, 2024: Mother Play - Hayes Theater
Jun 10, 2024: The Drama Desk Awards