I Wanna Be a Producer: How to Make a Killing on Broadway...or Get Killed

by John Breglio

What does a “producer” actually do? How does one travel from that great idea for a show to a smash hit opening night on Broadway? John Breglio cannot guarantee you a hit, but he does take the reader on a fascinating journey behind-the-scenes to where he himself once stood as a child, dreaming about the theatre.

Part memoir, part handbook, I Wanna Be a Producer is a road map to the hows and wherefores, the dos and don'ts of producing a Broadway play, written by a Broadway veteran with more than 40 years of experience. This comprehensive and highly informative book features practical analysis and concepts for the producer – and is filled with entertaining anecdotes from Breglio's illustrious career as a leading theatrical lawyer and producer. Breglio recounts not only his first-hand knowledge of the crucial legal and business issues faced by a producer, but also his experiences behind the scenes with literally hundreds of producers, playwrights, composers, and directors, including such theatre luminaries as Michael Bennett, Joe Papp, Stephen Sondheim, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Patti Lupone, August Wilson, and Mel Brooks. Whether you are a working or aspiring producer, an investor, or are just curious about the backstage reality of the theater, Breglio shares his knowledge and experience of the industry, conveying practical information set against the real-life stories of those who have devoted their lives to the craft.

Genres: Nonfiction, Theatre

320 pages, Hardcover

First published October 5, 2015

Reviews

[Zachary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant insider's guide to Broadway, Mr. Breglio's book balances humorous and insightful anecdotes with practical advice--or information for those who simply want to understand the business of Broadway itself.

[Peter Danish · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Breglio provides clear, concise, no-nonsense information and advice for aspiring and established producers in his new book: "I Wanna Be A Producer." But it's much more than that - it's a love letter to the theater in the form of a cogent business book. His anecdotes alone are worth the price of admission as he welcomes readers into the complex and ever-evolving business of theatrical production, detailing the risks and rewards of every aspect of the industry along the way. But in spite of all the perils and pitfalls, he makes it clear that he'd never give it up for anything in the world! I give it my highest possible recommendation.

[Katie B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book walks you through the beginning steps of putting on a Broadway show all the way through opening night and beyond. Yes,at times the book feels a little heavy on the financial and contractual aspects of the business but it's all stuff a Broadway producer needs to know. Thankfully, there is enough interesting behind the scenes stories from the author who was an entertainment lawyer for almost 4 decades.

A must read for anyone that is interested in becoming a Broadway producer. I would even recommend it to anyone that likes the theater in general.

I won this book in a giveaway and that is my fair and honest review.

[DougInNC · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is far more entertaining than one might expect. It is certainly insightful on the topic of developing a Broadway show and has a good level of detail without always diving into the nitty-gritty. John Breglio's personal experience enlivens the subject matter with interesting and relevant tales.

What this book seeks to accomplish is to help one understand much about the theater that the fan never gets to see. It does that very well. Knowing "how the sausage gets made" is a compelling addition to the enjoyment and appreciation one absorbs from the audience point of view. This is a remarkable business and the outsider has almost no sense of the time it takes to create a show, the costs involved, and the path to profitability. For those topics and many more, this book tells all.

In summary, the message is to take an idea, pretend you can assess whether it has any chance of being a hit show, know that such a judgement is impossible and the likelihood of a show failing is high, prepare to work under great stress, hire good people, raise a large pool of investment capital, manage costs in line with the money you raise, realize others are going to earn a good living off your project before you and your investors ever see a profit, and hold on in the tornado that you help create for a wild ride, hopefully one that lasts a long time.

It is sad and telling that coverage of dramas, or "straight plays" is limited. Breglio relegates them to the minor role that format now has on Broadway while putting the vast majority of his focus on musicals. I wished for a chapter that examined the reasons for the decline of the dramatic art form and a sharing of suggestions for ways to bring it back to prominence.

A shockingly clear message delivered is this: Don't concern yourself with the paying customer! The author tells the aspiring producer, "Above all, neither you nor the creative team should spend time worrying over what will appeal to the audience; rather, you should focus on creating a work of art ..." Plus, "Trying to second-guess your audience ... is anathema to the creative process and can only [muddle the] vision for the show."

The surprising indifference to comprehending what the public wants to see is a jolt. Maybe that approach is too much "business" for the theater business, but the dependency on ticket sales would make it logical that such understanding would improve the chances for success.

I was ultimately surprised that this book was as well-written as it is. It overcame mental hurdles in me including (1) a title that starts with poor English; (2) an author that is a lawyer; (3) a structure that included a Forward, Preface, and Introduction before Chapter 1 finally inked the page, and (4) a fear that it would be a prescriptive, step-by-step, how-to list required to be a producer.

[Mr. Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wonder what the arts industry will be like after #COVID19. Broadway, most regional theatres, and many tour houses are priced well beyond what the average person is able to afford on a regular basis. Even smaller theatres charge a relative premium. The entire arts industry was unsustainable. Add to that collegiate theatre programs charging tens of thousands of dollars, sometimes per semester/quarter, and then dumping graduates into unpaid ”internships” for years. No wonder the #studentdebtcrisis is out of control. I have no solutions. Just my two cents.

[Martin Kilkenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little hard to follow at times (legal stuff) but good stories of famous shows.

[Robert LoBiondo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good and very serious textbook on the pre-Covid world of Broadway producing.

There are some great stories for a theatre historians but it is overall a guide.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as a First Read. It's an interesting memoir and a useful crash course in producing a Broadway play. The book provides a quick rundown of copyright law, contracts, royalties, rights, financing, and other business considerations when producing a play.