Ken Davenport is a Tony Award-winning Broadway producer whose credits include Once On This Island (Tony Award), Gettin’ the Band Back Together, The Play that Goes Wrong, Groundhog Day (Tony nom), Deaf West's Spring Awakening (Tony nom), Kinky Boots (Tony Award), and more.
He is the founder of TheaterMakersStudio.com, a one-of-a-kind "masterclass" community that provides training and inspiration from Broadway's best to writers, directors, producers and more.
Ken also serves as the Executive Producer for North America for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group.
Upcoming projects include Broadway Vacation, Joy the Musical, My Life In Pink, a revival of The Great White Hope, Harmony: A New Musical written by Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman, a musical based on the life and songs of Neil Diamond, and a musical based on the life of Harry Belafonte.
IOne idea is to make a concept video with acouple of scenes that after a reading gets a good response with actors singing some of their best songs.---Loreen
Thank you! Great interview… John Logan is highly intelligent, so creative and standup gentleman. The fact he’s taken on this enormous and great project.l, the life of Michael Jackson is so commendable. I trust he will do the right thing and portray Michael as who he really was. God bless and thank you… Michael Jackson was an amazing wonderful person and this needs to be shown to the world once and for all. I trust Mr. Logan will make this happen. I also can’t wait for his next Theater project!!! He is one responsible keeping the Theater alive… This has to happen.
This is fascinating. My dear friend, a musical genius, has written a musical. And it’s wonderful. He also has accomplished much in other areas of music; he’s won major awards- but this work is his heart. Listening to Bruce’s story is such an education and in my view, an absolute must to even begin to understand this wonderful but vastly complicated business. Thank you for this.
I am 50 and I too had a crush on Maddie Corman as a youngster seeing her in the movies. The last thing I saw her in was beer league and she still looks amazing.
Thanks for this, Ken and Wendy. I know it is years later, but as a young company, we are still keen on learning to improve at producing and managing productions. The conversation was enjoyable and inspiring. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Broadway is still rascist and offer white guy hundred’s of roles while giving us slave roles, maid roles, and ensemble. It’s not ok. Stop telling us all to “try Hamilton”. Not all black folks rap..
Thank you for sharing thoughts about the joys and challenges of producing. Susan and Randy, you combine experiences, talents, and passions to produce quality entertainment and positive emotional reactions. Theater-goers of the early 1970s, fortunate enough to witness Randy Adams transform into Tevye, are still stirred by his performances. The best Tevye that I have ever seen! Blessing to both of you!
💛 love this discussion. Had to know the mind behind The Ibherirance after just watching scenes. Matthew being involved with Red White and Royal Blue. Love that like me he wrote to hundreds of companies in an industry index and one responded. Passion pays off. Agree with helping others for the sake of it. And despite status and position
The walls are closing in bud. The money laundering operations are drying up. You and I both know this was never about the art but invoices that could launder money into the system.
Come on man, this business has been the same BS for more than 50 years! Producers, directors, above the line talent, etc. are so special and just super busy! Sooooooo many people want to be in their company! Get a grip, the world is heading into a major war! Many of your friends and family won’t make. Here is some free advice, learn some skills that will keep you alive! Three act structure isn’t it. Get water, food, guns, ammo, medicine. The world is going into the fourth turning. I used to work in The Business and woke up 8 years ago when I ran into a college buddy of mine that showed me some numbers. The US is broke and when that happens, the Powers take you to war!
No one cares. People are going to be starving! The entertainment business is a giant money laundering pit so the Ponzi that the Central Banks run can cover up their criminality! Take a look around pal, the United States is broke and soon its people will be broken. No more fantasy and now it is time to turn into the wave of reality!
I would add one to make sure you know what you need to account for in a subsequent scene: 4.) Who NOT now? Too many writers (mostly in committed) simply ask questions that they NEVER answer… or WORSE contradict! Which is why so many series become disconnected and episodic (and actors don’t dare challenge the writers with “why would my character do this… now???) if the answer is to move the plot along or because we have a really cool effect… you’ve already gone down the deep end w/o paddle.
Fantastic interview! Love Logan. In addition to "The Aviator" and the Bond films he wrote, I highly recommend "RKO-281". One of his best-written films.
I use to work in professional theatre in Australia and as a fan of Raul i found this channel! I have now subscribed thx for the broadway news. Chess is my favourite musical
