Determining the Developmental Path
One of the producing issues that I’m thinking about is, what do we do when things are more or less back to normal?
Specifically, I’ve been thinking about where to have the world premiere of the shows that Rhymes Over Beats will be producing.
Two questions go into making this decision:
- How much does it cost to mount a production?
- Where is the audience for the production?
The most expensive location for producing theater is of course Broadway, followed by off-Broadway, major regional theaters and foreign productions. So unless we have developed a show with a regional theater, this means our world premiere will be off-Broadway.
Our Next Production
Our next musical in the pipeline is being created by the legendary rapper Masta Ace. He discussed the process in an interview you can watch on YouTube. Right now he’s finishing up the book and the lyrics.
Even though he is originally from Brooklyn, his fan base is primarily in Europe where he regularly tours (when not shut down by a pandemic). Our plan at present is to have the world premiere in London, hopefully on the West End, the British equivalent of Broadway. A production that opens in the West End takes about half the cost as one that opens on Broadway.
Our West End opening would be followed by a European tour, where his fans can experience the next stage in his development as a hip hop artist: as a hip hop playwright. After the tour we would then come back to the United States.
Until Then…
We are all frustrated by the situation we are in. We want to put on shows as much as you want to see them.
We hope and pray this will happen soon.
Be safe!