- Title: USA: 20th Century Fox announces plans to turn films into Broadway productions
- Date: 16th July 2013
- Summary: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (FILE) (REUTERS) VARIOUS BROADWAY MARQUEES (5 SHOTS)
- Embargoed: 31st July 2013 13:00
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- Location: Usa
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- Country: USA
- Topics: Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVA939QFHGO5YL8QTL4FJGRYR61H
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- Story Text: Film studio 20th Century Fox has announced plans to add a Broadway division to its brand.
The 78-year-old company is joining forces with veteran Broadway producers Kevin McCollum and film producers John Davis and Tom McGrath to produce nine to twelve stage productions developed from the studios 4,500-title catalog.
The trio will also work with New York Musical Theater Festival (NYMF) executive director and producer Isaac Robert Hurwitz as a consultant.
"Really it's really just the beginning of the process. So, there are already a number of ideas that people have had. And actually since the announcement comes out I've seen many, you know, wish list posted all over the, you know, various sites. And, you know, newspapers and what have you. So, you know, we've got our work cut out for us but it's a good position to be in to have that many options," said Hurwitz who said he joined the talks in March of this year.
For years Disney has dominated Broadway's landscape with the success of "The Lion King" "Mary Poppins" and "Beauty and The Beast". However, Hurwitz said the team will be looking to create a new model of success.
"Broadway is a cottage industry. And the studio, there are a number of studios who are all playing in that world. And I think that as much as we are competition, we are also colleagues. And you know, we will learn a lot from the work that Disney has done as trailer blazers over the past 20 years," he said.
Hurwitz founded the NYMF in 2004 as a way to offer artists an affordable outlet to showcase their work. Over the past ten years several of the festivals productions have gone on secure success off-Broadway and around the world.
When asked if they will be using his platform as a way to test productions Hurwitz didn't turn down the idea.
"We've never discussed any of that. I think the festival is a great platform for new work and we'll see what happens. It all depends on the project and what's right for the piece, you know," he told Reuters.
The NYMF tenth annual event is currently running from July 8-28th. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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