Podcast appearances and mentions of hal luftig

A hit like Hamilton can come from nowhere while a sure bet can lose $20 million in a flash. We speak with some of the biggest producers in the game — Sonia Friedman, Jeffrey Seller, Hal Luftig — and learn that there is only one guarantee: the theater owners always win. (Part two of a three-part series.) SOURCES:Debby Buchholz, managing director of La Jolla Playhouse.Sonia Friedman, Broadway producer.Rocco Landesman, Broadway producer, former owner of Jujamcyn Theaters, former chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts.Hal Luftig, Broadway producer.Luis Miranda Jr., political strategist, founding president of the Hispanic Federation, the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance, Viva Broadway, and The Public Theater.Michael Rushton, professor of arts administration at Indiana University.Jeffrey Seller, Broadway producer.Richard Winkler, Broadway producer.Stacy Wolf, professor of theater at Princeton University. RESOURCES:Theater Kid: A Broadway Memoir, by Jeffrey Seller (2025).Relentless: My Story of the Latino Spirit That Is Transforming America, by Luis Miranda Jr. (2024).Beyond Broadway: The Pleasure and Promise of Musical Theatre Across America, by Stacy Wolf (2019)."‘Hamilton' Inc.: The Path to a Billion-Dollar Broadway Show," by Michael Paulson and David Gelles (New York Times, 2016)."On the Performing Arts: The Anatomy of Their Economic Problems," by W.J. Baumol and W.G. Bowen (The American Economic Review, 1965). EXTRAS:“How to Make the Coolest Show on Broadway,” by Freakonomics Radio (2024).“You Can Make a Killing, but Not a Living,” by Freakonomics Radio (2024).

In April of 2012, the very first revival of Evita came to Broadway, having done the same in London six years earlier. And in both productions, the title role featured a relatively unknown actress to Western audiences: Elena Roger. She followed a select few chosen to take on one of the most difficult female roles in musical theater. First, there was Julie Covington, then Elaine Paige, Patti LuPone, and Madonna. Among this group of women, Madonna was the only one to have already been a celebrity when she took on the role. As for the other ladies, it was Evita that introduced them to the world and turned them into stars. Such is the power of this musical, with book and lyrics by Tim Rice and the iconic score by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Whether it's the 2006 West End revival or its subsequent transfer to Broadway in 2012, neither version even lasted a year, a far cry from their respective original productions. So how did this revival differ from those previous productions? And why couldn't it recapture the fame and longevity of the original? In this episode, we'll explore the history of this high-flying adored musical and the factors that led to its Broadway revival. We'll also highlight some challenges this production faced and the impact Evita continues to have on audiences today. Follow on Instagram and listen to Closing Night on your favorite podcast app! --- Closing Night is a production of WINMI Media with Patrick Oliver Jones as host and executive producer. Dan Delgado is the editor and co-producer, not only for this podcast but also for his own movie podcast called The Industry. Blake Stadnik composed the theme music, and Maria Clara Ribeiro is co-producer. Much appreciation goes to Hal Luftig, Christina DeCicco, and Sammi Cannold for their insights as well as the voice talents of our very own Dan Delgado. Click here for the transcript and full list of links and resources used in this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 64 and Wendi and Dfernando's guest interview is writer, comedian, and Lucille Lortel Award nominated actor Kevin Zak.  Born and raised in Buffalo, New York, Kevin discovered his love for performing and took it upon himself to find a way of turning that into a career. While in college he decided to take initiative and started applying for internships.  This led to him heading out to Los Angeles for an internship on the 7th Season of THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW.  Several months in, he received an offer for a performing job he had auditioned for in NYC prior to leaving for Los Angeles.  That offer was to join the cast of the U.S. Tour of the iconic Broadway musical CATS as a swing.  As a swing he covered a large portion of the male roles, including Rum Tum Tugger. After a year touring North America (including Hawaii) with CATS, he segued into various jobs including a year on a Disney Cruise ship playing countless roles in the Disney productions.  His performing career had finally kicked-off.    In 2016, Kevin was nominated for a Lucille Lortel Award as Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical for CLINTON: The Musical. Kevin is creator and co-book writer of BLOODY BLOODY JESSICA FLETCHER, a musical parody of TV series MURDER, SHE WROTE, which is currently being developed by Tony Award winning producer Hal Luftig for the Off-Broadway stage.  Tony Award winner Beth Leavel stars as Jessica Fletcher.HIs other work in the theater: NEUROSIS: The Musical, SILENCE!: The Musical and he most recently was the dance and fight captain (as well as an understudy) in the Broadway musical WAITRESS: The Musical. On television he was seen on the acclaimed HBO Max series THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT. Kevin was recently a featured comedian on the 2021 LOLZ Queer Comedy Festival and was also featured in the Top Ten Comedy Countdown on THE BALD AND THE BEAUTIFUL. Kevin has gained additional attention via his comedic content on his Instagram: @kevinjzak, which covers all realms of pop culture from film, television, music, Broadway to the fashion world. Also on Episode 64, Wendi and Dfernando chat about the arrival of autumn and early holiday decorating at the Covey's; Butters the Cat breaking into Wendi's neighbor's house; and Devo in concert at the YouTube Theater.  On THE RIPE REPORT, there's the 2021 documentary LADY BOSS: The Jackie Collins Story (now on Netflix in the U.S.), and Wendi shares a few of her current favorite TikTok accounts: @popsthedancer, @dolly_broadway, @jayandsharon, and @auntyskates.  Watch Wendi and Dfernando and their Team GENERATION RIPE: Greg Covey, Shelley McLendon and Ponciana Badia on Season 7 Episode 2 of CELEBRITY FAMILY FEUD - now on ABC OnDemand and Hulu and on the GENERATION RIPE website.  Follow us on our Instagram:Wendi McLendon-CoveyDfernando ZarembaGENERATION RIPE... and our guest Kevin Zak, his TikTok, and his Twitter.  Remember to subscribe, rate & leave a review for GENERATION RIPEVisit Dfernando Zaremba's website: dfernandozaremba.com

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 Luftig). On Broadway, he directed Sunset Boulevard, (starring Glenn Close) Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill, (Starring Audra McDonald) 110 in the Shade, 'Master Harold'... and the Boys, (starring Danny Glover) Sally Marr and Her Escorts (co-written with Joan Rivers and Erin Sanders), Urban Cowboy, and A Class Act (Tony Award nominated book co-written with Linda Kline). West End credits include Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill at the Wyndham’s, as well as Carousel, Sunset Boulevard, Sweeney Todd, and Man of La Mancha, all for the English National Opera. Film and television credits include his film version of the New York Philharmonic’s Sweeney Todd (Emma Thompson and Bryn Terfel), and Company, (Neil Patrick Harris, Stephen Colbert, etc). He also directed the stage and filmed versions of his tribute to Stephen Sondheim, Sondheim: The Birthday Concert! (Emmy Award). Other Philharmonic collaborations include the “Live From Lincoln Center” broadcast of Camelot, Candide, Sweeney Todd (George Hearn and Patti LuPone, Emmy Award), and Sondheim’s Passion (Emmy Award). Additional television credits include Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill for HBO, as well as episodes of “2 Broke Girls,” “Desperate Housewives,” and the upcoming ‘Plan Z.' For his first feature, ‘Master Harold’ ... and the Boys, he received a Best Director Award from the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival. His documentary, Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened premiered at the New York Film Festival and was named one of New York Times’ Top 10 Films of 2016, and his other documentary Hal Prince: The Director’s Life (PBS) was released to critical acclaim as well. With Hal, Lonny has two projects in development, a musical adaptation of the cult-classic film, Scotland, PA, and a new play. Stay tuned for news of these projects as they further develop! For all things Broadway Biz, visit our Instagram @BroadwayBizPodcast or our website broadwaybizpodcast.com. Have a question for Hal or a topic you'd like him to explore? Send Hal an email at broadwaybiz@halluftig.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brandon and Sophie sit down with four-time Tony Award-winning Broadway producer, Hal Luftig and discuss his career being at the helm of iconic shows such as Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Here Lies Love, Children of a Lesser God, and more, while learning about his journey in producing from starting his own company to starting his own podcast.

Welcome to Broadway Biz hosted by Hal Luftig! In Hal's very first episode, he chats with his good friend Dori Berinstein, producer extraordinaire and the Co-Founder and CEO of the Broadway Podcast Network. Hal and Dori discuss Dori's path to producing, how she navigates Broadway budgets, and why she loves podcasts. Dori is a four-time Tony-winning Broadway producer (“Fool Moon”, “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest”, “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and “Virgina Woolf”), an Olivier winner (Legally Blonde) and an Emmy-award-winning director, producer and writer of film and television. Dori most recently was Lead Producer on “The PROM” for Broadway, and is the host of her very own podcast "Deep Dive Broadway". For all things Broadway Biz, visit our Instagram @BroadwayBizPodcast or our website broadwaybizpodcast.com. Have a question for Hal or a topic you'd like him to explore? Send Hal an email at broadwaybiz@halluftig.com. A proud member of the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Broadway Biz! a new podcast on the Broadway Podcast Network hosted by Hal Luftig launching on Wednesday, November 18th. Every Wednesday morning, Hal will welcome an industry insider to his show to talk about the business of Broadway. Upcoming guests include: Tony and Emmy Award-winning producer Dori Berinstein, Broadway Press Agent Rick Miramontez (DKC/O&M), general manager Maggie Brohn (Executive Producer, Hamilton), Tony Award-winning Director and Choreographer Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, Pretty Woman, Legally Blonde), Broadway League President Charlotte St. Martin, Tony Award-winning director Kenny Leon (A Raisin in the Sun, Children of a Lesser God), Tony Award-winner Annaleigh Ashford (Kinky Boots, You Can't Take it with You, Sunday in the Park with George), and Tony Award-nominated costume designer Dede Ayite (Slave Play, A Soldier's Play). Follow Hal on Instagram @BroadwayBizPodcast and learn more by visiting BroadwayBizPodcast.com. Subscribe today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After our conversation on the previous episode, Hal Luftig answers the Final Five. He shares his love of teaching and his dream to work with Audra McDonald as well as what he learned from famed Broadway producer Emanuel "Manny" Azenberg. Do you have other ideas for Final Five questions? Let me know at contact.winmipodcast.com. ----------  May this podcast be a resource for you as you discover more ways to pursue a career in this industry and sustain it through the many ups and downs that follow.  For further insights on the topics covered in this episode: https://twitter.com/winmipodcast/  Quotes and unreleased audio clips: https://www.instagram.com/winmipodcast/  WINMI is supported through kind donations of listeners like you: https://ko-fi.com/winmipodcast 

Welcome to a month-long look at previous Broadway seasons...the nominations, the wins, and the losses.  With four Tony Awards to his name, including two as lead producer, and two Olivier Awards, also as lead producer, Hal Luftig knows and thing or two about theatrical success. But he also knows the pitfalls that come and how not every show finds an audience or makes a lot of money.  Today, he shares those insights and more from the heights of success with KINKY BOOTS to his disappointment with the early closing of CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD. He opens up about the lessons he's learned and what keeps him going.  Website: https://www.halluftig.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rialtoguy  Twitter: https://twitter.com/halluftig  Previous guests who have appeared in his productions:  J. Harrison Ghee - KINKY BOOTS Caroline Bowman - KINKY BOOTS and EVITA James Monroe Števko - FIDDLER IN YIDDISH John McGinty - CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD  ----------  Join the WINMI community by following on Instagram or Twitter (@winmipodcast) as well as reaching out to Patrick with any questions or comments: contact.winmipodcast.com   The time and expense needed to bring these guests and conversations to you each week is sometimes challenging but always rewarding. Please consider buying me a coffee to support this work that goes into each episode.

Having met Jana Robbins as a performer, I was gobsmacked to find out that she is also a producer. Along with Hal Luftig, they both brought a new revival of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF in Yiddish. It has received major accolades and recognition. I adore Janna, and it was a pleasure to meet the famed Hal Luftig. Please enjoy my conversation with these fabulous and thoughtful winners . More about Fiddler on the Roof: http://fiddlernyc.com/ More about the Podcast: http://keithpricecurtaincall.com

The Most Beautiful Thing in the World! For our season two finale, we're tackling the 2013 Tony Award-winning Kinky Boots. We'll find out how the show, based on true events, developed from a little-known British independent film to an unlikely Tony-winning smash hit, now in its fifth year on Broadway.  Featuring director Jerry Mitchell, composer Cyndi Lauper, book writer Harvey Fierstein, actors Billy Porter, Stark Sands, Annaleigh Ashford and Ellyn Marsh, and producers Daryl Roth and Hal Luftig. 

Leading IM Creative Successfully IM Creative was named one of the fastest-growing privately-held companies by Inc. magazine in both 2015 and 2016. Today Scott Ihrig and Shannon Morrison talk about working together as a gay couple, the risk/reward proposition of owning a business and their take on digital versus analog life. Who is IM Creative? ‘Being together matters.’ This is the philosophy upon which IM Creative was founded. It also applies to the strong relationship between CEO and founder Scott and Chief Creative Officer Shannon, whose complementary skill makes them fabulous partners in both life and business. Scott and Shannon explain how having a successful company allows them to support the causes they believe in and the importance of retirement planning in the LGBTQ community. Listen and learn how IM Creative’s company values inform their business decisions and the daily habits that help Scott and Shannon improve personally and professionally. Scott spent two years as a lawyer before shifting to a career producing shows for the Radio City Rockettes. In 2000, he stopped working for other people and founded Ihrig Productions. Shannon studied theatre and psychology at Yale and then went to grad school at NYU where he earned an MFA in Musical Theatre Writing. Shannon spent three years as an associate with Hal Luftig, working on Broadway productions like Legally Blonde, Movin’ Out and Thoroughly Modern Millie. In 2007, Scott and Shannon met through an online dating site. Six months into their relationship, Scott was producing a corporate event for a pharmaceutical company and Shannon came along as a production assistant. They quickly realized that Shannon’s theatre background and creativity was a big value-add for the company that balanced Scott’s business acumen and ability to execute on ideas. Together they rebranded the company as IM Creative and have since expanded to include offices in New York, San Francisco, Charlotte and Columbus, Ohio. Their risk has paid off, and their experience and knowledge will benefit you. Find out more: https://debtfreeguys.com/im-creative-leaders-talk-love-business-gay-couple/

Everything today is thoroughly Hal....Luftig, that is! Four time Tony Award winning producer Hal Luftig swings by Shetler Studios to look back on his career of hits including Thoroughly Modern Millie, Legally Blonde, and Kinky Boots. Hal pulls back the curtain on his career, including how Sutton Foster landed the role of a lifetime, what it is like to create a Tony Award campaign , and why Legally Blonde made its MTV debut before it was closed on Broadway. Also, Hal shines the spotlight on Jerry Mitchell, Sutton Foster, and Cyndi Lauper! Become a sponsor of Behind The Curtain and get early access to interviews, private playlists, and advance knowledge of future guests so you can ask the legends your own questions. Go to patreon.com and search Behind The Curtain: http://bit.ly/2i7nWC4

Kristin Caskey is a producer. Along with Hal Luftig and Mike Isaacson, she received a Tony Award for her producing work on Urinetown. She has also produced One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Legally Blonde, Bring It On: The Musical, and Fun Home. I’ve known Kristin since the Millie days, when I was a Company Manger, and she was a first time lead Producer.  As the President of Fox Theatricals, she’s produced a ton since then, including Legally Blonde, Caroline, or Change, Bring It On, and more. I was so thrilled when she agreed to jump on the ol’ podcast so she could talk about her career since Millie, as well as . . . How she saw huge potential in Fun Home when so many (including myself) were scared by its subject matter. Why relationships with Authors are such important things for Producers to develop. For once and for all . . . is there a “road-block” of Tony Award voters? What she wishes she knew about Broadway Producing when she started that she knows now. Do you want to be a producer?  And are you not in NY (just like she wasn’t when she started)?  Here’s what you should do. Keep up with me: @KenDavenportBway www.theproducersperspective.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hal Luftig started his career Off-Broadway working in some of New York's most storied and venerable theaters. There, he created fertile ground for up-and-coming talents like Eric Bogosian and Charles Busch, in shows like Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll and The Lady in Question. Soon, Hal began to produce on Broadway, as well. His shows have included Ariel Dorfman's Death & the Maiden, George Wolf's Jelly's Last Jam, Tony Kushner's Angels in America, the 20th Anniversary production of Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart at the Public Theater, the unexpurgated revival of The Diary of Anne Frank, Twyla Tharp and Billy Joel's Movin' Out, the work of comic geniuses like Whoopi Goldberg & Kathy Najimi, and Tony Award-winning new musicals like Thoroughly Modern Millie, as well as revivals of delightful classics like Rodgers & Hammerstein's The King and I and Irving Berlin's Annie Get Your Gun. The artists whose work he has produced have themselves moved on to win their own awards and run important institutions.Hal has gone on to be one of the leading producers in New York and around the globe. He has won four Tony Awards, including two as lead producer, and two Olivier Award, also as lead producer. Hal has seen all sides of the business, having worked his way up from working in an Off Broadway Theater, and subsequently producing Off Broadway shows, until he started producing big Broadway ones. And now he’s going to tell you all his secrets, including . . . What he believes modern Producers need to know to succeed. How Audra McDonald is helping him cross something off his bucket list. The wise words his therapist of a husband has told him that keeps him going through the tough times. The secret to campaigning for a Best Musical Tony Award.   Keep up with me: @KenDavenportBway www.theproducersperspective.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Thoroughly Modern Millie"'s creative and production team -- choreographer Rob Ashford, general manager Nina Lannan, producer Hal Luftig, director Michael Mayer, book writer/lyricist Dick Scanlan and composer Jeanine Tesori -- discuss the Tony Award winning musical's journey to Broadway; obtaining the rights to the 1967 Universal Pictures film written by Richard Morris and starring Julie Andrews; years of development in workshops and readings; how the production team came together, including Rob Ashford's choreographer audition; the mixture of existing songs and new Tesori compositions; the advantages and disadvantages of mounting the show in partnership with La Jolla Playhouse; the many producers involved, including road presenters; the decision and budgetary considerations in opening on Broadway with a rigious preview period versus a second out-of-town tryout.

Thoroughly Modern Millie's creative and production team -- Tony Award-winning choreographer Rob Ashford (for Thoroughly Modern Millie), general manager Nina Lannan, producer Hal Luftig (Tony Awards for Annie Get Your Gun and Thoroughly Modern Millie), Tony Award winning-director Michael Mayer (for Spring Awakening), book writer/lyricist Dick Scanlan and composer Jeanine Tesori -- discuss the Tony Award winning musical's journey to Broadway; obtaining the rights to the 1967 Universal Pictures film written by Richard Morris and starring Julie Andrews; years of development in workshops and readings; how the production team came together, including Rob Ashford's choreographer audition; the mixture of existing songs and new Tesori compositions; the advantages and disadvantages of mounting the show in partnership with La Jolla Playhouse; the many producers involved, including road presenters; the decision and budgetary considerations in opening on Broadway with a rigious preview period versus a second out-of-town tryout.