The American Theater Wing interviewed Jordan Roth, President of New York’s Jujamcyn Theaters, and host of Broadway Talks at 92Y. The interview was recorded shortly after the first Broadway Talks event with Liev Schreiber, and begins with a discussion on Roth’s experience with that event; being in front of such a large audience, how the audience (you guys!) responded, and how he became involved with the series.

Jordan Roth interviewed by The American Theater Wing.

The almost hour long interview continued with forthright discussion from Roth on his interest in theater as a child, his time at Princeton where being a performer became “less and less satisfying,” coming out as gay man during this time, and more frank and personal stories about his life and career.

About 13 minutes in, Roth explained how he fell into producing, describing falling in love with concept of a friends show being developed, A Midsummer Night’s Dream “but told through disco hits” in a “work shop type setting on the Lower East Side.”

It was this show, The Donkey Show, that became his first production. 

“It was disco but because of its setting it was garage disco aesthetic, as opposed to 54 disco aesthetic.”

“I’m not sure Ive heard the term garage disco.”

“Well just um, sweatsuit jumpsuit versus gold glitter.”

You can download the interview in mp3 format on The American Theater Wing site.

Jordan Roth and Broadway Talks continues next on May 24 with Sean Hayes. This event will be held at 92YTribeca. Nathan Lane in Conversation with Jordan Roth follows that on June 27 back uptown at 92Y.