Why produce one show in a season, when you can produce two?
As you all know, I’m big preacher of diversification in business, which is one of the reasons that, in addition to Godspell, a classic musical revival, I have just signed on to produce Chinglish, a brand new American play.
Chinglish, written by David Henry Hwang, and directed by Leigh Silverman, is coming straight from the Goodman Theatre in Chicago with a suitcase full of r-r-r-rave reviews in tow.
I describe Chinglish as a comedy about American-Chinese business relationships, in and out of the board room, and what gets lost in translation. (Give this a click to get an idea of what I’m talking about.)
Oh, and it’s very, very funny. Or as the Chinese would say . . . oh, who am I kidding, I can’t speak a drop of Chinese. Imagine me roaming the streets of Hong Kong talking about Broadway’s ticketing challenges, or how we can market to young people. Our languages are so different, they’d probably think I was talking about kitty cats that like to ride roller coasters.
And that’s Chinglish.
For those of you wondering the reasons I signed on?
– David Henry Hwang is one of the country’s best living playwrights.
– It’s about a very topical subject.
– It’s a topical subject hasn’t been written about on Broadway.
– Diversification (see above).
– It’s a comedy during a time when the country wants comedy.
– Did you see those reviews?
– I went to see it spent half my time watching the show, and half my time watch the reactions from the audience – and they had a blast.
Chinglish begins previews on October 11th. AMEX cardholders can get tickets here.
See you there. Or as the Chinese would say . . . oh forget it!
(Want a sneak peek? Watch the vid below. Email subscribers click here to see the Chinglish preview.)
(Got a comment? I love ’em, so comment below! Email subscribers, click here, then scroll down, to say what’s on your mind!)
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Had the awesome experience of working with Leigh this summer at New York Stage and Film on another new work; she is a brilliant director! Can’t wait for this to hit NY!!
The show has absolutely been the talk of the town since it opened. Best of luck to you and the show
You go, Ken! I just finished David Merrick’s biography. There were two separate seasons, 1963/64 and 1967/68, when he opened 8 plays! Unbelievable. Of course that also meant that in those years Merrick had 8 different opportunities to drive half of New York’s theater business into a homicidal fury over his outrageous behavior. What a crazy man. But he did produce a lot of plays, some of which were quite good.
Congrats Ken. What a great title–catchy and a wee bit controversial, but printable.
I directed Hwang’s “Yellow Face” in 2008, audiences absolutely loved it. And he is such a lovely guy, came to our opening with his wife. Looking forward to “Chinglish.”
What I meant to say also is– I love your endings to your posts–always clever, here and on the Godspell blog.
Ken, you set the mark for producers who have been around for a long time.
Dear Sir:
I pose three questions:
1) what is/are the largest number of ‘shows’ you have produced in any one season?
2)Would you produce the same number again?
3)Why or why not?
Yours truly,
Bryan David
Playwright & Lyricist
YES. I heard about this when it was in Chicago, and feared I would never see it. Tell me you are bringing Jennifer Lim to Broadway with it!!! When are you announcing the cast?
good blog.. But he did produce a lot of plays, some of which were quite good…. I heard about this when it was in Chicago, and feared I would never see it.
Caught the show here in Chicago and I can’t wait to see how it does on Broadway. I completely loved it!