Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ken Davenport on April 15, 2008 at 9:54pm

Hey there! Sure!

It all started back in 19** (dates censored to protect the aging) at Maine State Music Theater where I shared a room and an obsession for Saved By The Bell with my good friend Marc Kessler. Years later, Marc and I performed in Forever Plaid together. We saw how audiences responded to a group of guys singing together so we set out to come up with an original idea based on that theory. After a zillion bad ideas, out of Marc's mouth came . . . "What about a catholic boy band?" Instantly I knew he was on to something, because the idea didn't make sense. It was naturally funny. Comedy is born in contrast, and there was such a natural contrast in his statement, I knew we could mine it for a lotta laughs. Then he went on to say, "The boyz names are Matthew, Marc, Luke and Juan." That's when I knew we definitely had a musical. And when Abraham came along . . . I knew we had a hit. Again, all because of that contrast.

We originally wanted to "boy band-up" the Catholic anthology of music, adding fresh harmonies to "How Great Thou Art", etc. I brought in Gary Adler, who I worked with on the Jekyll and Hyde tour to funk some stuff up. It worked but we realized it wouldn't last for more than 2-3 songs. So Gary asked if he could try something original. He came back with the title song, Something About You and The Calling, all of which are still in the show.

Interestingly enough, the book came after a lot of the songs!

So that's how it started!

P.S. It was 1993.

Permalink Reply by Theresa Lexie on April 16, 2008 at 10:19am

Ken,

I have lots of questions, but first I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to answer them in this thread.

I'll be back with questions..you've been warned.

Thanks again!
Theresa

Permalink Reply by Tyler Phillips on April 16, 2008 at 9:53am

Ken, As the show moved towards the presentation phase when did finances first become a factor and how did you initially approach the "money" aspects of development?

Permalink Reply by Ken Davenport on April 20, 2008 at 1:06pm

Ahh, the money . . . the FUN part. ;-)

To answer the 2nd question 1st, the number of investors we have is less than 40, and that's partly due to some legal restriction. We choose to have a limited offering, which restricts the number of investors, but therefore doesn't require the same legal paperwork as more broad offerings. I like having more investors. It's spreads the risk around. I believe in diversification for my investors, and like to involve them in several projects.

Finances are always an issue, because the moment you decide to do a project, you start spending money. Small things at first, but they all add up. I dipped into my open pocket for a long time, then I got a partner (the incomparable Robyn Goodman), who split expenses with me. Then, when we were prepping for Off-Broadway, we went out and raised the rest of the money.

Permalink Reply by Tyler Phillips on April 20, 2008 at 9:05pm

Is the venue usually just an expenditure or sometimes do they become an investor too?

I noticed you said "my investors" in a very real way a producer is a kind of CEO. Is it difficult to separate the creator-you from the producer-you or what is good for the show is usually good for the investors?

Permalink Reply by Ken Davenport on April 27, 2008 at 12:33am

Sometimes the theater does participate as an investor . . . either by investing cash, giving rent breaks in exchange for cash or a credit, etc. Sometimes a theater will play the guarantor of bonds and deposits with unions, etc. And sometimes the theater does not. It varies.

Yes, the Producer is like a CEO and CFO as well. It's hard to separate the creative and the administrative, without a doubt. But if you believe in yourself and can get your investors to believe it you, then you're all set . . . as long as your product is fantastic. If you build it, they will come. Great product is where it's "at".

Permalink Reply by Tyler Phillips on May 1, 2008 at 6:17pm

What are the big bills (one time and/or reoccurring) that end up on the Producer's desk at startup?

Permalink Reply by Ken Davenport on May 17, 2008 at 3:57pm

Oooooh, the big bills!

The biggest expense when producing a show is the same as YOUR biggest: Rent! Your theater bill is the big one.

The other big ones are the advertising . . . and then adding all the salaries together or your Payroll Expense.

Permalink Reply by Nate on October 17, 2008 at 2:24am

I'd like to echo this question... Ken? ;)