Profile for tmdonahue

My husband and I published a book in 2010 titled "Stage Money." It's examples are a little out of date, but it's larger descriptions of legal structures and money flows in the professional theater still hold. The book still sells. We were led to research and write the book because we couldn't make sense out of what we read in newspapers and entertainment publications and websites. This is self-promotion but I think the book is still one-of-a-kind. It's a paperback, only 192 pages.

HogansHero said: "The OP seems to have outdone themselves in failing to ask a question to which a useful answer can be provided. Not just what is meant by cheap, but what is meant by clean. And while we're at it, where in the theatre district and what sort of place?If one is going to the Belasco, one is unlikely to want suggestions on 9th in the 50s, and if one wants chikfila [I also agree that is a disgusting place to eat regardless of physical cleanliness], suggestions for Orso hardly fit t...

Because of the pandemic, it's been a long time since I've been to NYC and the theatre. Before the pandemic, I loved both of the late Joe Allen's restaurants, Joe Allen's and Orso. The food at both places is not special, write home to mom, Michelin star but it is always and consistently good and well-priced. Service is good too. I've also had some good meals at Becco.

Until you find a couple geniuses to do it, none of them. How Green Was My Valley? Tales of the South Pacific? Pygmalion? Wicked? (Have you read the novel?) The Ballad of Sweeney Todd? Fun Home ?Somewhat off-topic, a book of children's poems, Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats?More off topic, what about adapting a painting into a musical, ala "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte"?Genius.

This is self-serving, but you might want to look at our book, Stage Money, 2nd Edition. The book looks at the financing of professional theater, both commercial and not-for-profit. It is not a textbook and was written as a general background. We began it because what we read in newspapers and on the internet didn't quite make sense to us. After researching the topic, it does make sense. The 2nd edition was in the publication process when the pandemic hit so it doesn't include anything about t...

I didn't sign an NDA so I think I can write this. I rec'd a prospective on this production. It is non-Equity and the physical production will be downscaled from the original Broadway production.

This is self-serving but if you want to know more about the financial structure of professional theater, I recommend our book Stage Money Second Edition. We wrote it because although we'd been lifelong theater goers, we didn't understand the financial structure of professional theater. The second edition was in publication when the pandemic started and so doesn't have anything to say about that or the future, but it gives a good, quick general background to the jobs, sources of money, risks o...

"It started out like a song" from Merrily We Roll Along.

For my first trip to NYC, I wanted to see "A Chorus Line," which had recently opened and was firmly SRO. My boyfriend--later husband--who had lived earlier in New York for six years, said, send a letter to the BO asking for standing room, include a check and an SASE. Got the ticket! I was in my twenties and healthy so standing wasn't a problem. I remember the first time the periaktoi revolved, showing the mirrors, and the sound design upped the horns...I just about wet my pants. What an excit...

Joe Hardy from "Damn Yankees," a show I love in spite of everything.

A cast album would not reflect her well but for me the best was Tyne Daly. She created a fierce Rose on stage. When she sang "Everything's Coming Up Roses" it was like a premonition of doom.

What's the stop clause?

"Backstage Babble" from Applause. I'm not at all sure, that's just what came to mind. Lyrics stolen from another website that specializes in lyrics:[FIRST NIGHTERS]Ba ba ba ba da bumBa ba ba ba da bumBa dum ba dum ba dumBa dum ba dum ba dumBa da ba da baBa da ba wonderfulBa da ba ba dumMargo was just ba dumBa ba da she's looking mightyBa ba da ba ba ba da baWasn't she ba da daBa da Mr. BenedictBa ba da ba da baBa da ba producerBa ba da ba da baBa la la la love it[EVE]A heeby deeby deeby deeby...

from the second edition of our book, Stage Money:"Theater licensing organizations have awakened to the number of high schools and even elementary schools that stage Broadway musicals and the organizations are making special efforts to market to this niche’s needs. According to the New York Times, in 2012, high schools spent about $300 million on theatrical productions. This figure is from the Educational Theatre Association which also maintains that the potential audience for high school prod...

There is no degree requirement for ANY theater job. But so many folks want to work in theater that the people hiring need some ways to narrow the pool of applicants. A degree is one sign of seriousness, especially from a renowned school. Union membership is aces. Experience with a well-known producing group is another way to stand out. Study with a well-regarded independent coach/teacher is good. Internships can be better than nothing.Otherwise, why would the person hiring choose to interview...

Standing ovations for everything. What do you do when you're really excited?Small lobbies; opening theaters 20 minutes before curtain.Small lavatories with little access for the handicapped. Few theaters with elevators to the mezzanine and balcony.Small chairs. Little leg room.Audience members who arrive late and have little empathy with those already seated and trying to become involved with the show.Musicals with bad sound design that muffles the words to most songs. (Thankfully, this is be...

I saw this revival. Hadn't seen the script earlier. I thought Whoopi was dull and seemed tired. (Perhaps she was tired on the day I saw it.) The scenes with all her musicians were the opposite: alive, observant, involving.

Me, too. I especially liked ending it with Rannells' novelty lyrics to "I Believe."

I agree with VotePeron, Song of Spider-Man is a very interesting book. Here's my two cents: The producers were not experienced Broadway producers and this often is a death-knell. One of the lead producers, Michael Cohl had been very successful with rock arena shows, but that doesn't translate. A similar problem arose years earlier with Via Galactica in 1972, the supposed follow-up to Hair and the first show at the Uris Theater (now the Gershwin), which has the distinction of being the first B...

The original Follies in 1971-1972. I was an undergraduate at Michigan at that time and didn't have the money to go to NYC, but that's the one that got away to me.