The Wildcat

So, it's another quasi-sports entry. Last season, the Miami Dolphins re-introduced a new offensive scheme into the Pro Football playbook that, until then, was more associated with College Football. It's called the Wildcat. Without getting too involved in explanation, it basically consists of a direct snap from the center to the running back with an unbalanced offensive line (Did I lose any of you yet? Stay with me, theatre talk starts soon). It was not a common practice in Pro Football until the Dolphins unearthed it and moved their game in a successful direction. In fact, they went from the worst team in football to a division leader and playoff team within one year. Opponents had to factor in the threat of the Wildcat as they prepared to play the Dolphins. Sometimes, they beat it. Often, they didn't. This season, teams practice their own versions of the Wildcat, even giving it custom names, like the Chargers' Wild Frog or Cowboys' Wild Hog. In short, the Wildcat changed the game.

The analogy begins. A couple of days ago, two producers struck a deal with the Shubert Organization (the largest landlord on Broadway, owning and operating 17 Broadway theaters). Producers Frederick Zollo and Robert Cole entered into a three-year development deal with the Shuberts, which basically states that should they have an interesting property to produce, they will come to the Shuberts first. The Shuberts have the option to jointly produce the project. If they are interested, this would guarantee a Shubert Theatre on Broadway, as well as either an outright investment by the Organization, or advisement without investing (but, still a guaranteed theatre). Plus, now these independent producers have their own sweet office space with the Shubert Organization.

In these times, producers are getting more creative to make sure that shows they believe in can still make it to Broadway. While similar deals have been done in the past (see the article here for details), this particular deal, at this particular time, is definitely "thinking outside the box." And it's a game-changer. This is basically guaranteeing a Broadway home for these producers for the next three years, with this mighty theatrical machine acting as more than just a landlord for the productions. If the Shuberts invest in the show, or even attach their brand as "advisors", they are that much more committed to the show's success. That can only help the project's chances. It's like a how a movie has a better chance at being successful when it's made by a big studio, as opposed to being made independently, because larger studios have distribution deals with movie theaters across the country that guarantee the movie will be played in any number of those particular theaters.

While we're on the subject of Broadway theatre owners, here is another theatrical Wildcat, even though it's now old news for those who follow theatre. But, for those who don't, here's a little rundown. There are, essentially, three major organizations that run the Broadway theaters in New York City: the aforementioned Shubert Organization (17 theaters), The Nederlander Organziation (9 theaters), and Jujamcyn Theatres (5 theaters). Recently, Rocco Landesman stepped down as the president of Jujamcyn in order to head up that little organization called the National Endowment for the Arts. His shoes were filled by vice president and resident producer, Jordan Roth.

Why is this significant? More importantly, why is it a Wildcat move? I'll directly quote the NY Times to set you up: "The other two Broadway stalwarts, the Shubert and the Nederlander organizations, are led by Philip J. Smith, 78, and James M. Nederlander, 87." Then there's new Jujamcyn President, Jordan Roth, 33. That's right, 33. In fact, I believe that he'll be finishing up his work for an MBA at Columbia in May. He now presides over a third of the power structure for Broadway theaters. The next generation is upon us and Mr. Roth will be one of the many to take theatre in New York, and elsewhere, into the future. New ideas, fresh perspectives, and the power to implement them. That's what he brings to the table. This is the guy who produced the revival of "The Rocky Horror Show" on Broadway.....when he was 24! (What were YOU doing at 24?)

The Shubert deal and the hiring of Jordan Roth exemplify the Wildcat. It's part of a grand effort to shake up the system in order to keep the institution of theatre relevant and exciting. Just like the Pro Football Wildcat offensive scheme has critics and fans, I'm sure these decisions will have plenty of both. But, nevertheless, people must acknowledge the changes and play the game accordingly, lest they be left behind....like the Cleveland Browns.