Inspiring Culture Moms Interview: Broadway’s Producer Ruth Hendel

Starting this week, I am launching a new weekly blog called INSPIRING CULTURE MOMS. For my first interview, I have chosen Broadway producer extraordinaire, humanitarian and fellow Larchmont resident, Ruth Hendel.

Ruth’s Broadway credits include In the Heights, Passing Strange, Legally Blonde, High Fidelity, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Night Mother, Steel Magnolias, Barefoot in the Park, Metamorphoses, Hamlet, A View From The Bridge (current) and FELA! (current). Her Off-Broadway productions include Altar Boyz, Our Lady of 121st Street, The Exonerated, tick tick..BOOM! and Los Angeles: As Much As You Can. Ruth is on the boards of the LAByrith Theater, The Play Company and the Yale School of Drama Leadership Committee. She is vice-chair of the Eugene O’Neill Theater in Waterford, CT.

In 2006, Ruth was honored with the University of Connecticut School of Fine Arts Alumni award. She has also received the Westchester Jewish Conference Julian Y. Bernstein award for her distinguished service for serving on the library board of the Jewish Theological Seminary. She and her husband have been honored by the Westchester Crohn’s and Colitis foundation and the Westchester Jewish Center, the synagogue to which we both belong.

I first met Ruth a few years ago and was immediately inspired by her. As a fellow mom and theater buff, I had already seen several of her productions, including tick tick..BOOM! and Metamorphoses. I met her at the beginning of my journey as a mom, whilst trying to balance work and motherhood. She is a shining example of someone who has done it all …on her own time.

Here is what Ruth had to tell the Culture Mom Blog about her career, life balance and finding inspiration.

CultureMomBlog: How did you get into producing? What did you do before you became a producer?

After nine years of producing on Broadway, I’m still in disbelief that I do what I do! This former housewife (yikes), mother of three, class mother extraordinaire (!), had a lucky break. I credit my husband, who on a lark arranged that we be associate producers on Jonathan Larson’s …tick, tick, BOOM! Off-Broadway. At the opening night party on Jane Street, I met theater producer Robyn Goodman, who eventually became my mentor.

In October 2001, just weeks after the World Trade Center terrorist attack, Robyn invited us to the off-Broadway production of Mary Zimmerman’s Metamorphoses as a birthday present to my husband. I’ll always remember sitting in the theater, staring at the set, which was a pool of water and experiencing the cathartic strength of the play. It was an emotional time for everyone, and somehow Metamorphoses moved me to act, to assess the importance of life, family, friends, love and bringing peace to the word and making the most of each day. I had heard Metamorphoses was transferring to Broadway. In the theater that night, I turned to my husband and said that i wanted to get involved in bringing the play to more people. It was one of those ‘eureka’ moments.

CultureMomBlog: You’ve worked on some incredible productions. How do you choose your projects?

There are many projects out there. I read a lot of scripts and go to a lot of readings. At times, the production is already mounted and I can see exactly what is in store. Recently, I was in London and at the suggestion of producer Arielle Tepper Madover, I saw John Logan’s new play RED at the Donmar Warehouse. Arielle is the American lead producer bringing in RED to Broadway’s Golden Theater. I was easily impressed with RED — I loved the subject matter (the painter Mark Rothko), the direction, the acting and the classic themes. From London, I called Arielle to say I was “in” as a producer. RED‘s London run ends soon and comes into New York this spring to the perfect sized Golden Theater. Yes, I chose to produce RED— seemingly with just a gut reaction, but I also scrutinize the budget, tried to project if a New York audience will like RED (yes!), and weigh many more factors.

Often, I see projects at theater festivals, Off- Broadway, at regional theaters, or as with RED, in London. But sometimes, a sneak preview is not possible. Last season, I was on the producing team of the revival of Arthur Miller’s All My Sons. I went to the first preview and was thrilled with Simon McBurney’s direction of John Lithgow, Dianne Wiest, Katie Holmes and others. (I hate to say it, but all the “stars” were aligned). This season, I’m excited by Greg Mosher’s A View From The Bridge with Liev Schreiber and Scarlett Johansson. Maybe, I should stick to Miller?

CultureMomBlog: Do you work from home or have an office in the city?

When I started out, I set up a home office, learned to use a computer, perfect writing a business letter and not sign it with XO. Then on a part-time basis, I hired a young theater person, Lauren Weigel, to help me with my ceaseless paper work. Eventually, Lauren got a full time job, as Managing Director of the Play Company, which is a not-for-profit theater company specializing in unusual and relevant international plays. It just so happened that The Play Company was moving to a new office space in the city (right in the theater district!) and was looking to rent a small office in their suite. You might say, I followed Lauren to the city. I love my office and my PlayCo office mates! I have a five to ten minute walk to advertising meetings, the theaters, etc.! Best, I attended Lauren’s wedding not long ago!

CultureMomBlog: You’ve worked with some very famous celebrities. Do you have any special memories to share?

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My favorite celebrity story is the first “meet and greet” of A Raisin in the Sun starring Sean Combs (P.Diddy or Puff Daddy).

Sean came over to me and said: “Thank you for having confidence in me. I really appreciate it.” He was new at stage acting, he worked tirelessly and he did just great!

CultureMomBlog: Many moms go into business because it helps them balance home and work life, and be a more involved parent. Did you find that as well?

By the time I started working outside the home, my three children were grown. My youngest was in high school and I had more free time. For me, the timing was right. I was ready to do something for myself, get out of the kitchen and explore. If the opportunity to get into producing had presented itself earlier, I probably would not have been able to do it. I was a hands-on mom, my husband traveled for work and getting each kid to their respective soccer games on a week-end, was more than I could handle at the time.

CultureMomBlog: What is a typical day like?

A typical day:
I barely get my head off the pillow… because I went to a theater opening the night before.
I make oatmeal with blueberries, flax seeds, cinnamon and green tea.
Shower, throw on my Legally Blonde sweatpants, an old LAByrinth Theater Company tee shirt, a Hamlet sweatshirt and my brand new FELA! knit hat.
I put on my sunglasses and take a walk in my neighborhood or trek over to the Larchmont Manor Park.
Alas, I perk up.
Change clothes. Lipstick.
Then off to my office!
Big greetings for my off and on assistants Lauren “Tolly” Worsham and Yonatan Sagiv!
Hi to Play Company!
Sit for a minute; Chat!
Start daily Emails and telephoning.
Dash off to an advertising meeting.
Back to the office.
More Emails and telephoning.
Have lunch with another producer to discuss upcoming project.
Back to the office.
(Call potential investors!)
Go to a reading of a new play.
Back to the office.
Read scripts, budgets, sign papers, send out checks.
(Call potential investors!)
Meet with young theater person new to NYC.
Speak with Paul Stovall about his new play.
Speak with Paul Scott Goodman about his new musical.
Go to a board meeting for not-for-profit theater company.
Dinner with my husband for 1/2 hour.
Go to theater to see our show FELA!!!!!

CultureMomBlog: Tell us more about how your husband has supported you through your venture.

He has been supportive in many ways. The theater bug now has him too and he is a lead producer with me on FELA! on Broadway.

CultureMomBlog: What is the biggest challenge you face as a producer?

The downturn of the economy has made it more difficult to produce theater in New York. Also, the cost of mounting shows has become prohibitive.

CultureMomBlog: What do you love most about what you do?

I love to put my creative touch into picking a show and following it through to full production. Every show is different! I enjoy the camaraderie of my producing teams and watching the talents of the designers, the cast and crew. It’s a very creative environment.

CultureMomBlog: What advice do you have for moms who want to return to the workforce?

If you want to get into theater, start by getting involved in a not-for-profit theater company. I am on the boards of several non-profit theater companies in New York. If you watch closely what they do, you’ll learn a lot and fast! They need volunteers and not just financial support. If you are interested in jumping into Broadway, invest! Commercial producers are always looking for new investors. That’s how I got my start and I’m ready to help someone else join the party.

CultureMomBlog: What are you working on?

FELA! on Broadway is my personal baby. We have been working on the musical for over 6 years and to finally see it come to Broadway is a dream come true for my husband and me. FELA!’s director/choreographer Bill T. Jones has done a phenomenal job and the show is better than we could have ever fathomed.

Please join the Culture Mom Blog next week for another installment of our new column, INSPIRING CULTURE MOMS.

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