One Producer in the City

Have you got the "nerve" to party?

I have mentioned the brilliant group The Nerve Tank previously in my 10 to watch in 2010 Broadwayworld column and now you have a chance to meet the team!

Below is info on their latest fundraiser event. I'll certainly be there. Will I see you?

These guys are awesome and this will be a great time. Nuff' Said.

Info is below.

Excelsior!

T H E  N E R V E  T A N K

Melanie S. Armer, Chance D. Muehleck: Co-founders

and Prohibition Vodka

Invite you to support our upcoming production of LIVE/FEED

 

PARTY WITH STYLE. WITH FRIENDS. WITH STRANGERS. LIKE IT’S YOUR LAST NIGHT ON EARTH.

 

PARTY WITH NERVE.

 

Friday, April 2

Doors at 7:30 pm

at the Brooklyn Lyceum

 

The recession. Multiple wars. Earthquakes. “The Jersey Shore.” Is it the end of the world, or the beginning of a new one? Either way, we think you need to party. With us. On April 2.

 

Help us fundraise for our new fin de siecle project, LIVE/FEED, and get your groove on in serious ways.

7:30 pm: Open Bar

Performance starts at 8:30

DJ Guy Smith spins through the night

OPEN BAR

Prohibition Vodka, currently in pre-release, will be serving up FREE cocktails from 7:30 – 8:30 pm (or when the still runs dry!) Cash bar throughout the night.

PERFORMANCE

A special sneak preview of LIVE/FEED, plus a selection of some of our favorite past work – performed in the beautifully raw downstairs space of our artistic home.

 

DJ

Guy Smith pulls your dancing strings with a trunkful of awesome 80s hits.

 

All for a mere $20!

 

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

 

The Brooklyn Lyceum

227 4^th Ave. between Union & President

R train to Union St.

 

One last hoorah? Perhaps! Can you afford to miss it?

--

A little inspiration

Yesterday, when this article hit the Times, I was very excited. 

Why?

Producing a musical about issues like this takes guts and determination. It's not an easy sell or an easy process. You hear plenty of other stories about shows that deal with serious issues that never recoup, but you rarely hear about the ones that do.

This also should remind us all of the hard work that goes into a show like this. There were multiple development steps in the show's long road to Broadway and each one was essential.

I think all producers can take a lesson from the pages of Mr. Stone's book in terms of determination and drive. He believed in this show so much and he worked incredibly hard to get it to this place. 

I'm sure this must be as exciting for him as when he realized he had this hit on his hands. 

Congrats Mr. Stone.

I take this as inspiration to find more daring work. What does this inspire you to do? Feel free to comment below.

Excelsior!

Self-Producing and Self-destructing

I was doing a consultation the other day and the topic of self-producing came up. This topic comes up a lot in the business and I'm often asked for my advice when it does. So today I'm going to break down some important things to consider if you want to self-produce. Let's start with what this means:

Self-producing- The creator of the work is also the producer. This person puts the show up and this person also has written the show. Sometimes they star in it and sometimes they direct it. Most often this person raises the money for the show or bank rolls it. This often ends in failure and not because the person is not talented but because a simple truth is not acknowledged:

THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO CAN DO ONE OF THE JOBS BETTER

There is nothing wrong with writing something and having a desire to produce it yourself. I did it a bunch when I first moved to the city, but there is something horribly wrong when you delude yourself into thinking you can do it all. This is often referred to as flying solo. So let's work off of this metaphor for a second:

If you are flying solo and there is no one flying with you, you can only see what's directly in front of you and what's directly behind. If there is something 50 miles ahead, by the time you see it, it's too late. You're likely to crash. Now imagine if you have someone flying ahead of you to alert you of that obstacle, you can plan, change your trajectory and avoid the problem all together, but this requires a really important thing that many self-producing artists lack:

TRUST

This again comes down to your ability to hand some element of your show to someone else. The best lessons I learned about my own writing, I learned when I let someone else direct it. The best lessons I learned in producing was when I worked with a team and learned from the team. There is always a very strong temptation to do it all for yourself because that means that you can be in control of it all. The funny thing is, the more control you try to have and the less trust you give to others, the worse things will get,and eventually the work will drive you nuts. This is self-destructing, NOT self-producing.

So if you are a Self-Producing artist, take a second to ask yourself who is on your team.

If you can't name a single person, then there's a problem.

It's no problem if you want to self-produce, but it is a problem if you do it in a way that causes you to self-destruct.

Trust someone today.

Excelsior!

Take down the "For sale" or "For Lease" sign

Somebody needs to do something and it's not going to be me.

We are in the middle of a time when empty space is everywhere and every time I walk by a building with a sign that says "For sale" or "For lease" it kills me. Why?

That space is sitting there and making no money, costing the owner money, and there are so many possibilities for what it could become.

Chashama does something with open spaces that is pretty cool. They create installations in storefront windows and use space that would normally sit empty which I think is great, but what about all of the non-Chashama spaces?

How many real estate agents and property owners are hurting right now? How many do you think would make a deal if they could get some kind of rent for the spaces that they currently are losing money on?

More importantly, how many new theatre companies are on a desperate search for space right now?

Here's what I propose and again, if you're brave enough to take this on, I applaud you and will sing your praises on this blog. 

• Walk around the city and take down the number in every abandoned store front window.
• Call every one of those numbers and get a person on the phone.
• Find every artist that you can that is looking for space and make a list. Find out how much they'd be willing to pay for an hour of rehearsal space
• Do some math and get even one of these people to meet with you and show them some figures
• Rinse and Repeat
• Become the go-to guy or girl for space.

Whether or not it will work will be up to you. It will depend on your drive and passion and you ignoring the screaming of your lizard brain.

But somebody do it or something smarter. I do not have all the answers, but these ideas are free.

Who knows you may even make some money if you do it right.

Of course if you do this only because you're interested in making money,I'm pretty sure you'll fail.

But that's just me.

So if this is of interest to you, get out there right now and I really hope to see less for sale signs. 

See you in a window!

Excelsior!

Somebody else told me what they're up to!

Loyal blog reader Michael Sgouros took me up on my offer to spread the word about what people are up to. This producer is bringing a very different kind of phantom to the west village. All the details are in the release below. Will it run as long as this phantom? Only time will tell, but it'll be fun to check it out and see!

Excelsior!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information: 212-475-1237

[email protected]

 

A NEW PHANTOM SERENADES THE PLAYERS THEATRE

 

An intimate production based on the original novel by Gaston Leroux

opens April 30th in the West Village

 

The first English translation of Gaston Leroux’s astounding novel The Phantom of the Opera was published in 1911, and since then it has provoked writers around the world to retell the story and to probe the mysterious man behind the mask.  The latest creative team intrigued by the Phantom is Michael Sgouros (composer) and Brenda Bell (book and lyrics), whose new musical opens at the Players Theatre in the West Village on April 30th.

 

When asked how a petite production in the Village would compare to the Broadway version of Phantom, Ms. Bell replied that “Both versions are based on the novel by Gaston Leroux and feature many of the same characters, but the Players Theatre production focuses on the authentic story as Leroux relayed it in his novel and explores the passionate and personal relationships between those characters in greater detail.  Most people have only a vague idea of the true story and that’s what audiences will see at our production, so expect a few surprises.” 

 

The Players Theatre, revamped to under 200 seats to accommodate the viewable pit, offers audience members an intimate experience not possible in a large Broadway house.  “On Broadway you are one of two thousand people, at the Players you’re one of two hundred,” commented Mr. Sgouros.  The size of the house also contributes to the authenticity of the sound.  No amplification -- a subject that has raised much controversy in the theater world -- is used in the production.  The music is played live, in full view of the audience, allowing the acoustic sounds to be heard as they were meant to be without interference or adjustment.

 

The Players Theatre production, set in 1911, features Gaston Leroux as the narrator.  As the curtain opens, Leroux has just completed his novel The Phantom of the Opera and invites the audience to join him as the story unfolds in his mind and on the stage.  A cast of fourteen actors supports the storytelling as the play seamlessly revolves through artistic scenic impressions designed by Lex Liang.  Each week a guest choir is featured, lending a full-bodied punctuation to the musical’s climatic first and second acts.  The production is directed by the playwright, Brenda Bell, working alongside choreographer, Stefanie Smith,

 

“Phantom of the Opera” by Sgouros and Bell begins previews on April 9th and opens at the Players Theatre located at 115 MacDougal Street (between Bleecker and West 3rd) on April 30th for an open-ended run.  Performances are Thursday – Saturday evenings at 7:30p and Thursday and Sunday matinees at 3p.  Tickets range from $45-65 and can be purchased through Theatremania: https://www.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/680235or by calling 212-352-3101 or 1-866-811-4111.  Tickets may also be purchased at the box office which opens at 11a daily.

 

SHOW WEBSITE: http://www.phantommusical.com  

BLOG: http://www.chasingphantoms.com

MICHAEL SGOUROS BROADWAY PERCUSSION ARTICLE: http://web.mac.com/msgouros/Site_6/Welcome.html

 

For more information, photos or press passes call: (212)-475-1237 or email: [email protected]

 

 

A "Space" of their own

In keeping with this week's discussion of generosity, Space on White is doing something incredibly generous with their space. See below for details:

SPACE ON WHITE BLANK CANVAS GIVE AWAY!

Space on White, a new facility in Tribeca, is seeking an innovative, artistic NYC organization to be its resident company. And they hope to find one through a video contest that they are calling "The Blank Canvas Giveaway!"

If you are an artistic, theatre, dance, music or production company looking for a rehearsal and performance "home", enter Space on White's contest by developing a short performance skit on video (1-4 minutes), showcasing your organization's talents and mission while answering Space on White's question: "What could you do with Space on White as your blank canvas?"

Two winners will be chosen:

FIRST PLACE: 80 hours of free space -- a $2,000 value -- at Space on White, as well as a residency, which includes publicity through Space on White, storage space, and more.

SECOND PLACE: 50 hours of free space at Space on White.

Deadline: April 12th, 2010.

FOR MORE INFO VISIT: http://www.spaceonwhite.com/2010/02/06/space-white-blank-canvas-give-away/

Pretty cool right?

Interestingly enough one of the first producers I met in this business when I first moved here has submitted her company and her video. Hannah Wolfe is a dear friend and was one of the first people to produce my plays in a reading series sponsored by her company. This was an act of generosity I have never forgotten.  So below is her video and if you're excited about what her company is doing, pass it on to your friends. Good luck Hannah!

Excelsior!

If you're a playwright, you need to submit to this

In Linchpin Seth Godin discusses the power of gifts and the potency of emotional labor. Giving a gift is something that has been turned into a transaction. The question becomes how much do I owe this person for giving this to me and what is the value of what I have been given. Godin points out that this is not truly a gift. A gift is when you give something so amazing that it can't have a value placed on it and that there is no expectation of return.

Janet Zarecor of Impetuous Theatre Group is giving a gift on her birthday that is inspiring.

Read below for Janet's submission request and if you're a playwright send her something.

I'm even going to submit with all the free time I have ;)

So give a gift today. Info is below.

Excelsior!

Submissions wanted for LAST DAY ON EARTH

Type:

Causes - Fundraiser

Date:	Saturday, April 24, 2010
Time:	12:00pm - 12:30pm
Location:	293 Monroe Street, Apt. 1, Brooklyn, NY 11216

Description

So I hate birthdays. I always have as long as I remember. Not because the year passes and you get older. That I welcome. Youth is wasted often on silly things. I hate them because it tends to be a let down.

As another year approaches, I thought about perhaps just letting it slide and not doing the obligatory bar night. Maybe no one would notice. To run away to another city and avoid it all together. I always work so hard to make it fun, it ends up being a ton of work and I don’t enjoy myself.

This year I think I will do something different. The work I will do anyway, due to a personality handed to me by genes, will be put to good use and I will pull out not only enjoyment but satisfaction as I pee away hard earned dollars with my dearest friends.

Last year, I lost a man. He died at 40. He was one of my first friends in New York. He had been a rock during my divorce. He had guided me through many a dark place. He made me laugh. He made me question everything. He instilled in me to never give up. He pushed all my buttons, to make me better. He gave everything he had to everything he believed in.

He would often text me during his bad trials with chemo that he wanted nothing else than to be at my shows, and that he loved me.

This birthday, I want to give back in his memory. I want to host an evening, perhaps two evenings of short plays with the following theme:

Last Day on Earth.

Interpret that however you want, i.e my last day, your last day, this sheep’s last day, earth kaboom, comedy, drama, whatever.

Just interpret it. Get it to me in a ten minute, properly formatted, piece by April 24, 2010.

All pieces will be read by a committee and then the winners will be announced May 1 for production in NYC June 7, 2010.

All entries should be emailed to [email protected]

If you know writer friends who would like to contribute, please pass this along.

All proceeds of the evening will be donated to the What Would Billy Do? Foundation.

For more information on this charity: http://www.wwbdf.org/

INVITE EVERYONE WHO MIGHT WANT TO WRITE FOR THIS!!!

Let's do an experiment...

Recently I have been fascinated with how the internet has been responsible for incredible shifts in power and market share and what's most fascinating to me of all is the concept that with the right platform a small fraction can institute a paradigm shift.

So I want to do an experiment and I hope those of you reading this will join me, because I feel it will be informative for all of us. I want to see if the Theatre blogging community, readers and bloggers alike, can cause something beyond ourselves to happen, just by building buzz. I'm going to give it a week and see what happens and carefully collect the data. All the info on the experiment is below. Get those goggles on. This should be fun.

We're going to take fellow blogger Leonard Jacobs of The Clyde Fitch Report and see if we can make the same thing happen for him that happened for Betty White:

Some Facebook fans felt Betty White should host Saturday Night Live. In one month, a million folks signed a petition- Now the 88-year old start will co host SNL on May 8th

So we're going to do the same type of campaign. Here's how:

1) Visit WNET’s Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/wnet-thirteen.

2) Click on “Become a Fan” up top.

3) Paste a message onto WNET’s wall using one of the options below.

Option 1: Why does WNET “Need to Know” Leonard Jacobs? Because he's an especially fine culture reporter with great on-camera chops. Watch his media reel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxLwLwy9j7I.

Option 2: How could WNET “Need to Know” Leonard Jacobs? Easy -- visit his website, The Clyde Fitch Report, at www.clydefitch.com.

Option 3:When should WNET “Need to Know” Leonard Jacobs? When he's representing liberals at Fox News -- on the live-streaming show "The Strategy Room."

Option 4: What does WNET “Need to Know” about Leonard Jacobs? That he's a smart, savvy culture reporter, writer and editor. He’s what “Need to Know” is all about.

Now here's the REALLY important part: Only paste once and see if you can get others to paste. If you paste multiple times yourself, it's just spamming and that doesn't teach us anything.

So there you have it. Will we make any significant shift? I'll check in with Leonard throughout the month and see.

The other very interesting part of this experiment for me is all about how many of us can be spurred into action when the benefit is for someone other than ourselves?

Are we willing to give the kind of gifts that Godin talks about in Linchpin and are we willing to expend the emotional labor when we don't expressly benefit?

Does unbridled generosity pay off when using an internet platform?

Tune in for the findings!

Excelsior!

The thing about luck...

In honor of St. Patrick's day, I thought it would be good to discuss the role of luck in our business as I see it.

It's very easy to see the success of one producer or another and claim that luck was the main thing involved. After all if they hadn't been lucky enough to happen upon that TONY winning musical nothing would have worked out right?

I don't really think that's the case. I think that luck is a very prominent factor in our business, but like the four leaf clover in a field, it's often something we don't recognize enough.

It's easy to say that a show came in at the wrong time or that we had an unlucky break in terms of the weather being horrendous on that all important day of the backer's audition, but that wrong timing situation may have gave us access to knowledge that we would have missed if we never had to close the show and the fact that the backer's audition was more sparsely attended gave us a chance to have a personal connection with the few backers who did brave the storm.

In my opinion we have luck every day in our business, it's just a matter of being able to recognize it and then jump on it. Opportunities are presented to us everyday and the closer we look, the more four leaf clovers there are in each of the situations we get involved with. It's really just a matter of looking hard enough.

So today in your business, look for the four leaf clovers and don't be surprised if they are hiding amongst some bad situations.

And let's face it, there's no better day to look than today.

Excelsior!

Are we creating "Drive by" Theatre?

Seth Godin has an interest blog post today about the culture the internet has created. 

It got me thinking about our current theatre models and what we do to get people to pay attention to our art.

Our economic model dictates that we need to fill all of our seats in order to make the money we need, so the argument is that we need the thing that wows our audience and gets even more people in those seats, but in our marketing of our shows, are we creating a click-through, two second culture?

How well do you know your audience and how many deep meaningful connections has your company made?

When we're filling the houses are we doing it in a way that will make people come back for our next show or are we just giving them some wow for now and waiting for them to move on to the next thing?

What are your thoughts?

Excelsior!