As a guy that produces a show about the 80s, I know about one-hit wonders all too well.  They get bad reps for being “lucky” and “in the right place at the right time.”

Here’s a fantastic profile of a one-hit-wonder in the producing world.  The difference between Ms. Craymer and Vanilla Ice is that she never wanted a second hit.  She was satisfied enough with the chart-busting monster she developed the old fashioned way – with passion and perseverance (think what you want about the show, but its success demands that we study it).

The article is a incredible outline on how to produce, no matter what you’re working on, whether it’s the Dancing Queen of all jukebox musicals, or a new adaptation of The Tempest set on the moon starring Tickle-Me-Elmo.

The article stresses the importance of:

• Developing relationships with creatives
• Finding a project you’re passionate about
• Understanding the appeal of that project and without trying to make it something that it isn’t
• Being a control freak
• Being prepared for great personal sacrifices
• Bringing work in-house
• Staying true to your vision, despite financial temptation
• Being a control freak again

Alright, enough with the bullet points.  Here’s the article.

Oh, and before you think that I’m up at night reading British papers, this article came to my attention thanks to the surfing-saving e-clipping site, BroadwayStars, founded by a reader.