Broadway Biz with Hal Luftig
If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes an army, a peace corps, and a village to birth a Broadway show. Tony and Olivier Award-winning producer Hal Luftig ( Kinky Boots , Plaza Suite, and many more) has had successes, failures, and everything in between.
All Episodes
#25 - What Makes You Human? with Cyndi Lauper
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.
#24 - How Has American Theatre Changed Over the Last Sixty Years? with Jane Greenwood
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.
#23 - What Makes Theatrical Design So Profoundly Moving? with David Rockwell
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.
#22 - How to Lead with "Yes" with Jenny Steingart
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.
#21 - How to Produce Across the Pond with Nick Salmon
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.
#20 - What is it Like to Dream Through Clothes? with Dede Ayite
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.
#19 - Why is the Theatre Industry so Unique? with Nick Scandalios
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.
#18 - How Do You Find the Little Details? with Annaleigh Ashford
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.
#17 - How Can You Be an Arts Hero? with Brooke Ishibashi
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.
#16 - What Are You Willing to Do to Get What You Want? with Lonny Price
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.
#15 - What Makes a Musical Moment? with Nell Benjamin and Larry O'Keefe
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.
#14 - Why is Theatre a Form of Exploration? with Kate Macguire
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.
#13 - How Do You Take a Broadway Show on the Road? with Stephen Lindsay and Brett Sirota
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.
#12 - Is the Musical on the Rise in Korea? with Yoonha Choi
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.
#11 - Is Theatre on the Verge of a Renaissance? with Jeffrey Finn
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.
#10 - How Does Theatre Connect Communities? with Colleen Jennings-Roggensack
Colleen Jennings-Roggensack, arts leader and visionary, is Vice President for Cultural Affairs for Arizona State University and Executive Director of ASU Gammage.
#9 - Why is Theatre More Important Now Than Ever? with Victoria Bailey
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.
#8 - How Does Theatre Become Part of Culture? with Mike Isaacson
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.
#7 - How Do You Market a Broadway Show? with Sandy Block
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.
#6 - How Can We All Start Listening? with Kenny Leon
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.
#5 - What is the Future of Broadway? with Charlotte St. Martin
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.
#4 - What Makes a Story Perfect for Broadway? with Jerry Mitchell
This episode, Hal invites Jerry Mitchell to the podcast. Jerry a two-time Tony Award-winning choreographer and director for Broadway.
#3 - Why are Broadway Tickets So Expensive? with Maggie Brohn
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.
#2 - How Do You Get the Public's Attention? with Rick Miramontez
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.
#1 - Welcome to Broadway Biz! with Dori Berinstein
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.
Sneak Peak! Broadway Biz!
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.
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