Richard Maltby Jr. is a theatre director and producer, lyricist, and screenwriter. He conceived and directed the only two musical revues to win the Tony Award for Best Musical: Ain't Misbehavin' and Fosse. Other Broadway works include Baby (Director/Lyricist), Blood Knot (Producer), Song and Dance (Director/Co-lyricist), Miss Saigon (Lyricist), Nick & Nora (Lyricist), Ring of Fire (Creator/Director), The Pirate Queen (Writer/Lyricist). Off-Broadway works include Closer Than Ever, and The Story of My Life. He also wrote the screenplay for the film Miss Potter (2007) starring Renée Zellweger and Ewan McGregor.
We talk about all the huge hats he has worn over the years, as well as . . .
- Now what? (What to do when your first show out is a big fat success)
- Why the collaboration process on Miss Saigon was one of the favorites of his career.
- How the revue has morphed into the jukebox musical, and what he thinks of the current lot.
- An old idea for new writers to get attention that still works today.
- What he thinks of the new “style” of musical theater.
This week’s episode is brought to you by theaterextras.com, seat-filling audience development organization that arranges COMPLIMENTARY tickets for its members when a performance or event is in previews, under publicized, expecting the attendance of reviewers or celebrities, or would like the benefits of a full house.
Keep up with me: @KenDavenportBway