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==Career==
==Career==
Sanders began his career at [[Radio City Music Hall]] in New York, producing artists including Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Whitney Houston, K.D. Lang, Madonna, Bette Midler, Richard Pryor, Lionel Richie, Liza Minelli, Paul Simon, Frank Sinatra, Tina Turner, [[Liberace]], [[Sting (musician)|Sting]], [[Diana Ross]], and [[The Grateful Dead]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/05/05/arts/review-music-a-lifetime-of-joyous-improvising.html|title=Review/Music; A Lifetime Of Joyous Improvising|last=Watrous|first=Peter|date=1992-05-05|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-01-28|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/08/11/arts/review-pop-the-unpredictable-aretha-franklin.html|title=Review/Pop; The Unpredictable Aretha Franklin|last=Pareles|first=Jon|date=1990-08-11|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-01-28|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/05/20/arts/pop-marvin-gaye-sings.html|title=Pop: Marvin Gaye Sings|last=Palmer|first=Robert|date=1983-05-20|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-01-28|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/03/09/arts/concert-bette-midler-performs-at-music-hall.html|title=Concert: Bette Midler Performs at Music Hall|last=Holden|first=Stephen|date=1983-03-09|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-01-28|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/08/17/arts/stage-richard-pryor-live-at-radio-city.html|title=Stage: Richard Pryor Live at Radio City|last=Gussow|first=Mel|date=1983-08-17|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-01-28|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/09/11/arts/the-commodores-bring-soul-to-the-music-hall.html|title=The Commodores Bring Soul to the Music Hall|last=Holden|first=Stephen|date=1981-09-11|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-01-28|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/04/27/arts/concert-simon-s-graceland.html|title=Concert: Simon's 'Graceland'|last=Pareles|first=Jon|date=1987-04-27|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-01-28|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> He was Executive Producer there for 15 years and has been credited with reversing the venue's steady decline after its near-[[bankruptcy]] in 1978. Sanders brought in [[rock concerts]] and popular cultural events including the [[Super Bowl]] halftime show and galas for President [[Bill Clinton]].<ref name=CNYB>{{cite news|author=Miriam Kreinin Souccar|title=Showbiz insider takes the stage with new outfit|publisher=''Crain's New York Business''|date=2002-03-11|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-83765710.html}}</ref>
Sanders began his career at [[Radio City Music Hall]] in New York, producing artists including Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Whitney Houston, K.D. Lang, Madonna, Bette Midler, Richard Pryor, Lionel Richie, Liza Minelli, Paul Simon, Frank Sinatra, Tina Turner, [[Liberace]], [[Sting (musician)|Sting]], [[Diana Ross]], and [[The Grateful Dead]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/05/05/arts/review-music-a-lifetime-of-joyous-improvising.html|title=Review/Music; A Lifetime Of Joyous Improvising|last=Watrous|first=Peter|date=1992-05-05|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-01-28|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/08/11/arts/review-pop-the-unpredictable-aretha-franklin.html|title=Review/Pop; The Unpredictable Aretha Franklin|last=Pareles|first=Jon|date=1990-08-11|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-01-28|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/05/20/arts/pop-marvin-gaye-sings.html|title=Pop: Marvin Gaye Sings|last=Palmer|first=Robert|date=1983-05-20|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-01-28|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/03/09/arts/concert-bette-midler-performs-at-music-hall.html|title=Concert: Bette Midler Performs at Music Hall|last=Holden|first=Stephen|date=1983-03-09|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-01-28|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/08/17/arts/stage-richard-pryor-live-at-radio-city.html|title=Stage: Richard Pryor Live at Radio City|last=Gussow|first=Mel|date=1983-08-17|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-01-28|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/09/11/arts/the-commodores-bring-soul-to-the-music-hall.html|title=The Commodores Bring Soul to the Music Hall|last=Holden|first=Stephen|date=1981-09-11|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-01-28|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/04/27/arts/concert-simon-s-graceland.html|title=Concert: Simon's 'Graceland'|last=Pareles|first=Jon|date=1987-04-27|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-01-28|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> He was Executive Producer there for 15 years and has been credited with reversing the venue's steady decline after its near-[[bankruptcy]] in 1978 and turning it into one of the highest grossing theaters in the world.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/broadway-producer-scott-sanders-sells-firm-to-westfield-malls/|title=Broadway Producer Scott Sanders Sells Firm to Westfield Malls|last=Doty|first=Meriah|date=2016-08-31|website=TheWrap|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-29}}</ref> For Radio City Music Hall Productions, Sanders also produced [[rock concerts]] and popular cultural events outside of the venue including Penn and Teller's NBC special, Don't Try This At Home, and inaugural anniversary gala for President [[Bill Clinton]] and the historic 1993 [[Super Bowl]] halftime show starring [[Michael Jackson]] on NBC.<ref name=CNYB>{{cite news|author=Miriam Kreinin Souccar|title=Showbiz insider takes the stage with new outfit|publisher=''Crain's New York Business''|date=2002-03-11|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-83765710.html}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Of0QAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA296&lpg=PA296&dq=Penn+and+Teller's+NBC+Special,+%22Don't+Try+This+At+Home.%22+Scott+Sanders&source=bl&ots=qqtLOHsu86&sig=ACfU3U2kG-hWGZJni3eJ0QRAmIf9Gr8OtQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwju4avY4ZLgAhWa_YMKHYySBBgQ6AEwB3oECAQQAQ#v=onepage&q=Penn%20and%20Teller's%20NBC%20Special,%20%22Don't%20Try%20This%20At%20Home.%22%20Scott%20Sanders&f=false|title=Television Specials: 5,336 Entertainment Programs, 1936–2012, 2d ed.|last=Terrace|first=Vincent|date=2013-06-06|publisher=McFarland|isbn=9781476612409|language=en}}</ref>


Sanders co-founded<ref name=CNYB/> and became president of Mandalay Television,<ref>[http://www.playbill.com/celebritybuzz/whoswho/biography/15848.html Scott Sanders] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071102141659/http://www.playbill.com/celebritybuzz/whoswho/biography/15848.html |date=2007-11-02 }}. ''[[Playbill]]''. accessed September 29, 2011.</ref> and executive produced six network series, including include ''[[Young Americans (TV series)|Young Americans]]'', starring [[Kate Bosworth]], [[Ian Somerhalder]], [[Katherine Moenning]], and [[Michelle Monaghan]]; ''Cupid'', ''[[Mercy Point]]'', ''[[Rude Awakening (TV series)|Rude Awakening]]'', ''[[Rick Reynolds]]: Only the Truth is Funny'', and ''[[Penn & Teller]]: Don't Try This at Home''. His production company Creative Battery was responsible for solo Broadway shows by [[Elaine Stritch]] and the [[Barry Humphries]] character [[Dame Edna]].<ref>[http://www.ibdb.com/person.php?id=96642 Creative Battery]. [[The Internet Broadway Database]]. accessed September 29, 2011.</ref> Sanders also was [[Executive Producer]] for [[Queen Latifah]]'s [[jazz]] album, ''[[The Dana Owens Album]]'', which received a [[47th Annual Grammy Awards|2005]] [[Grammy Award]] nomination for [[Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album|Best Jazz Vocal Album]]<ref name="SPT"/>
That Super Bowl XXVII halftime show, starring Jackson, raised NBC's halftime rating higher thhan the Super Bowl action before it and is credited with transforming the way the NFL presents its halftime entertaintment. In the years Since, the NFL has, at every single Super Bow, folowed the model that Jackson created in 1993 enlisting big-name, contemporary, broad-appeal artists to perform during halftime in an effort to keep viewers from sraying.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/30/sports/football/30sandomir.html|title=How Michael Jackson Redefined the Super Bowl|last=Sandomir|first=Richard|date=2009-06-29|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-01-29|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/music/news/super-bowl-halftime-top-10-best-and-worst-performances-watch-video-1202683850/|title=The 10 Best (and Two Worst) Super Bowl Halftime Performances (Watch)|last=Trakin|first=Roy|last2=Trakin|first2=Roy|date=2018-02-01|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=2019-01-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2013/02/03/how-michael-jackson-saved-the-super-bowl/|title=How Michael Jackson Saved The Super Bowl|last=Ozanian|first=Mike|website=Forbes|language=en|access-date=2019-01-29}}</ref> He made his first foray into Broadway while still at Radio City, producing An Evening with Harry Connick, Jr. and his Orchestra in 1990. He returned to Braodway as an independent producer in 2002 with Elaine Stritch at Liberty. Other Broadway work includes Dame Edna Back with a Vengeance (2004), The Color Purple (2005), The Pee-wee Herman Show (2010), Evita (2012), After Midnight (2013) and The Color Purple revival (2015). In 1996, Sanders co-founded Mandalay Television, along with Mandalay Entertainment Cairman Peter Guber.<ref name=CNYB/> <ref>[http://www.playbill.com/celebritybuzz/whoswho/biography/15848.html Scott Sanders] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071102141659/http://www.playbill.com/celebritybuzz/whoswho/biography/15848.html |date=2007-11-02 }}. ''[[Playbill]]''. accessed September 29, 2011.</ref> and executive produced six network series, including include ''[[Young Americans (TV series)|Young Americans]]'', Cupid, Mercy Point, and Rude Awakening. In 2001, Sanders launched Creative Battery, multimedia production company in parternership with AEG presents, which was responsible for solo Broadway shows by [[Elaine Stritch]] and the [[Barry Humphries]] character [[Dame Edna]].<ref>[http://www.ibdb.com/person.php?id=96642 Creative Battery]. [[The Internet Broadway Database]]. accessed September 29, 2011.</ref> While at Creative Battery, Sanders also served [[Executive Producer]] for [[Queen Latifah]]'s [[jazz]] album, ''[[The Dana Owens Album]]'', which received a [[47th Annual Grammy Awards|2005]] [[Grammy Award]] nomination for [[Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album|Best Jazz Vocal Album]]<ref name="SPT"/>


In 2007 he founded Scott Sanders Productions, a film and theatrical production company based in New York City.<ref>[http://www.scottsandersproductions.com Scott Sanders Productions]</ref> with funding for theatrical ventures from a private equity group which includes New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, Roy Furman, and Jim Fantaci. On the film side, Scott Sanders Productions entered into a five-year first-look feature deal with Disney.<ref>Zachary Pincus-Roth, [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/106702.html "'Color Purple' Producer Sanders Partners with Disney on Film and Theatre Company"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706141324/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/106702.html|date=2008-07-06}}. ''Playbill'', March 21, 2007.</ref> In August 2012, the company signed a subsequent five-year deal with Sony Pictures Entertainment to develop and produce live versions of Song films.<ref>Andrew Gans, [https://web.archive.org/web/20120901075115/http://playbill.com/news/article/169348-Scott-Sanders-Theatrical-Productions-Will-Develop-Produce-Stage-Versions-of-Sony-Pictures-Films "Scott Sanders Theatrical Productions will Develop/Produce Stage Versions of Sony Pictures Films"]. ''Playbill''. Aug. 23, 2012.</ref> Sanders and [[Ahmet Zappa]] co-produced a film written and directed by [[Peter Hedges]], ''[[The Odd Life of Timothy Green]]'', released by [[Walt Disney Pictures]] on August 15, 2012.<ref>Kit, Borys. [https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE55A0MB20090611 "Hedges on tap for Zappa's 'Odd' movie idea"]. [[Reuters]]. June 11, 2009</ref>
In 2007 he founded Scott Sanders Productions, a film and theatrical production company based in New York City.<ref>[http://www.scottsandersproductions.com Scott Sanders Productions]</ref>

In 2010 Sanders produced the theatrical production of ''[[The Pee-wee Herman Show]]'' starring [[Paul Reubens]], first in Los Angeles and then in New York.<ref>Dave Itzkoff. [http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/20/i-meant-to-do-that-the-pee-wee-herman-show-coming-to-broadway/?pagemode=print "I Meant to Do That: 'The Pee-wee Herman Show' Coming to Broadway"]. ''The New York Times''. May 20, 2010</ref> Sanders is a lead producer on the first revival production of ''[[Evita (musical)|Evita]]'' based on the life of Argentine first lady [[Eva Peron]], staged in 2012, and starring [[Ricky Martin]] and [[Elena Roger]].<ref>Patrick Healy. [http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/09/ricky-martin-elena-roger-set-to-join-evita-revival/?scp=1&sq=evita&st=cse "Ricky Martin, Elena Roger Set to Join 'Evita' Revival"]. ''The New York Times''. June 9, 2010</ref> Sanders and [[Ahmet Zappa]] co-produced a film written and directed by [[Peter Hedges]], ''[[The Odd Life of Timothy Green]]'', released by [[Walt Disney Pictures]] on August 15, 2012.<ref>Kit, Borys. [https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE55A0MB20090611 "Hedges on tap for Zappa's 'Odd' movie idea"]. [[Reuters]]. June 11, 2009</ref>


Sanders is currently in pre-production of a muscial film adaptaion of Lin-manuel Mirandas and Quiara Hudes Tony Award-winning musical In The Heights.
Sanders is currently in pre-production of a muscial film adaptaion of Lin-manuel Mirandas and Quiara Hudes Tony Award-winning musical In The Heights.
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In August 2012 [[Sony Pictures Entertainment]] and Sanders agreed to mount stage productions of Sony films and announced that [[Tootsie]], the 1982 comedy starring [[Dustin Hoffman]], would be the first project.<ref>Patrick Healy.[http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/23/sony-pictures-the-latest-studio-to-make-broadway-push/ "Sony Pictures the Latest Studio to Make Boradway Push"]. ''The New York Times''. Aug. 23, 2012.</ref>
In August 2012 [[Sony Pictures Entertainment]] and Sanders agreed to mount stage productions of Sony films and announced that [[Tootsie]], the 1982 comedy starring [[Dustin Hoffman]], would be the first project.<ref>Patrick Healy.[http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/23/sony-pictures-the-latest-studio-to-make-broadway-push/ "Sony Pictures the Latest Studio to Make Boradway Push"]. ''The New York Times''. Aug. 23, 2012.</ref>


In September 2016, Sanders was named creative head of global entertainment for Westfield Corporation, which confirmed its acquisition of Scott Sanders Productions.<ref name="Chow">{{cite news|last1=Chow|first1=Andrew R.|title=Producer Scott Sanders to Direct Westfield Entertainment|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/02/theater/scott-sanders-westfield-mall-entertainment.html?_r=1|accessdate=September 12, 2016|work=The New York Times|date=September 1, 2016}}</ref>
In September 2016, Sanders was named the creative head of global entertainment for Westfield Corporation, which confirmed its acquisition of Scott Sanders Productions.<ref name="Chow">{{cite news|last1=Chow|first1=Andrew R.|title=Producer Scott Sanders to Direct Westfield Entertainment|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/02/theater/scott-sanders-westfield-mall-entertainment.html?_r=1|accessdate=September 12, 2016|work=The New York Times|date=September 1, 2016}}</ref>


In October 2018, he relaunched Scott Sanders Productions as a nindependent theatre, film, television, music, live-event and experiential entertainment production company, with offices in New York and Los Angeles. Sanders serves as President and CEO.
In October 2018, he relaunched Scott Sanders Productions as an independent theatre, film, television, music, live-event and experiential entertainment production company, with offices in New York and Los Angeles. Sanders serves as President and CEO.


In November 2018, Warner Bros. announced the development of a film adaptation of "The Color Purple" musical, co-produced by Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Quincy Jones, and Sanders.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/color-purple-get-movie-musical-treatment-1156951|title=Spielberg, Oprah Bringing 'Color Purple' to Big Screen (Exclusive)|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en|access-date=2019-01-28}}</ref>
In November 2018, Warner Bros. announced the development of a film adaptation of "The Color Purple" musical, co-produced by Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Quincy Jones, and Sanders.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/color-purple-get-movie-musical-treatment-1156951|title=Spielberg, Oprah Bringing 'Color Purple' to Big Screen (Exclusive)|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en|access-date=2019-01-28}}</ref>
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===''Up Here''===
===''Up Here''===
The romantic-comedy stage musical ''Up Here'' debuted at the La Jolla Playhouse in July 2015, with an official opening on August 9, 2015, starring Matt Bittner and Betsy Wolfe in the leading roles. Directed by Alex Timbers, the show features songs and libretto by [[Robert Lopez]] and [[Kristen Anderson-Lopez]], and presented by special arrangement with Scott Sanders Theatrical Productions.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/culture/la-et-cm-frozen-musical-robert-lopez-20140603-story.html|title='Frozen' songwriters to debut new musical 'Up Here' in La Jolla|accessdate=September 18, 2014|date=June 3, 2014|work=Los Angeles Times|first=David|last=Ng}}</ref>
The romantic-comedy stage musical ''Up Here'' debuted at the La Jolla Playhouse in July 2015, with an official opening on August 9, 2015, starring Matt Bittner and Betsy Wolfe in the leading roles. Directed by Alex Timbers, the show features songs and libretto by [[Robert Lopez]] and [[Kristen Anderson-Lopez]], and presented by special arrangement with Scott Sanders Theatrical Productions.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/culture/la-et-cm-frozen-musical-robert-lopez-20140603-story.html|title='Frozen' songwriters to debut new musical 'Up Here' in La Jolla|accessdate=September 18, 2014|date=June 3, 2014|work=Los Angeles Times|first=David|last=Ng}}</ref>

==Production company==
In 2007 Sanders started a production company, "Scott Sanders Productions," receiving funding from a [[private equity]] group which includes [[New England Patriots]] owner [[Robert Kraft]], David Kraft, Roy Furman, and Jim Fantaci, and signed a film deal with [[Disney]].<ref>Zachary Pincus-Roth, [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/106702.html "'Color Purple' Producer Sanders Partners with Disney on Film and Theatre Company"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706141324/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/106702.html |date=2008-07-06 }}. ''Playbill'', March 21, 2007.</ref>

The company signed a five-year deal with [[Sony Pictures Entertainment]] in August 2012 to develop and produce live versions of Sony films.<ref>Andrew Gans, [https://web.archive.org/web/20120901075115/http://playbill.com/news/article/169348-Scott-Sanders-Theatrical-Productions-Will-Develop-Produce-Stage-Versions-of-Sony-Pictures-Films "Scott Sanders Theatrical Productions will Develop/Produce Stage Versions of Sony Pictures Films"]. ''Playbill''. Aug. 23, 2012.</ref>

In 2016, Sanders and Mara Jacobs began producing a film adaptation of [[Lin-Manuel Miranda]]'s musical ''[[In the Heights]]'' through Scott Sanders Productions, with a script written by [[Quiara Alegría Hudes]], who authored the book for the original production. Sanders and Miranda previously worked together during ''The Odd Life of Timothy Green''.<ref name="McNary">{{cite journal|last1=McNary|first1=Dave|title=Weinstein Co. Boards Lin-Manuel Miranda's 'In the Heights' Movie|journal=Variety|date=May 31, 2016|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/lin-manuel-miranda-in-the-heights-movie-weinstein-1201786109/|accessdate=September 12, 2016}}</ref>


==Awards and nominations==
==Awards and nominations==

Revision as of 12:03, 29 January 2019

Scott Sanders
Scott Sanders in 2012
Born1957 (age 66–67)
St. Petersburg, Florida
NationalityAmerican
Alma materUniversity of Florida[1]
Occupation(s)Impresario, Television Producer, Theatrical Producer and Film Producer
Known for"Elaine Stritch: at Liberty" '"The Color Purple: The Musical", the revitalization of Radio City Music Hall in New York City,[2] the theatrical production of The Pee-wee Herman Show, and the revival of the musical Evita. He is a two-time Tony and Emmy Award winner, and won his first Grammy Award in 2017 for the Best Musical Theater Album of the Tony Award winning revival of The Color Purple musical.
SpouseBrad Lamm (m. 2008)

Scott Sanders (born 1957) is an American television producer, film producer and theatrical producer. He is best known for the theatrical musical version of Alice Walker's novel The Color Purple, of which he was Lead Producer along with Oprah Winfrey and Quincy Jones, and for producing Elaine Stritch: at Liberty and the 2012 revival of the musical Evita, and for his work on numerous musical and theatrical productions.[3]

Early life

Sanders grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida and was a 1975 graduate of Gibbs High School in Pinellas County, Florida, which at the time was undergoing court-ordered desegregation, and to which he was bused. He was Class President at Gibbs. He is a 1979 graduate of the University of Florida. During college he worked as an intern in the advertising department of the St. Petersburg Times.[3]

Career

Sanders began his career at Radio City Music Hall in New York, producing artists including Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Whitney Houston, K.D. Lang, Madonna, Bette Midler, Richard Pryor, Lionel Richie, Liza Minelli, Paul Simon, Frank Sinatra, Tina Turner, Liberace, Sting, Diana Ross, and The Grateful Dead.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10] He was Executive Producer there for 15 years and has been credited with reversing the venue's steady decline after its near-bankruptcy in 1978 and turning it into one of the highest grossing theaters in the world.[11] For Radio City Music Hall Productions, Sanders also produced rock concerts and popular cultural events outside of the venue including Penn and Teller's NBC special, Don't Try This At Home, and inaugural anniversary gala for President Bill Clinton and the historic 1993 Super Bowl halftime show starring Michael Jackson on NBC.[2][12]

That Super Bowl XXVII halftime show, starring Jackson, raised NBC's halftime rating higher thhan the Super Bowl action before it and is credited with transforming the way the NFL presents its halftime entertaintment. In the years Since, the NFL has, at every single Super Bow, folowed the model that Jackson created in 1993 enlisting big-name, contemporary, broad-appeal artists to perform during halftime in an effort to keep viewers from sraying.[13][14][15] He made his first foray into Broadway while still at Radio City, producing An Evening with Harry Connick, Jr. and his Orchestra in 1990. He returned to Braodway as an independent producer in 2002 with Elaine Stritch at Liberty. Other Broadway work includes Dame Edna Back with a Vengeance (2004), The Color Purple (2005), The Pee-wee Herman Show (2010), Evita (2012), After Midnight (2013) and The Color Purple revival (2015). In 1996, Sanders co-founded Mandalay Television, along with Mandalay Entertainment Cairman Peter Guber.[2] [16] and executive produced six network series, including include Young Americans, Cupid, Mercy Point, and Rude Awakening. In 2001, Sanders launched Creative Battery, multimedia production company in parternership with AEG presents, which was responsible for solo Broadway shows by Elaine Stritch and the Barry Humphries character Dame Edna.[17] While at Creative Battery, Sanders also served Executive Producer for Queen Latifah's jazz album, The Dana Owens Album, which received a 2005 Grammy Award nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album[3]

In 2007 he founded Scott Sanders Productions, a film and theatrical production company based in New York City.[18] with funding for theatrical ventures from a private equity group which includes New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, Roy Furman, and Jim Fantaci. On the film side, Scott Sanders Productions entered into a five-year first-look feature deal with Disney.[19] In August 2012, the company signed a subsequent five-year deal with Sony Pictures Entertainment to develop and produce live versions of Song films.[20] Sanders and Ahmet Zappa co-produced a film written and directed by Peter Hedges, The Odd Life of Timothy Green, released by Walt Disney Pictures on August 15, 2012.[21]

Sanders is currently in pre-production of a muscial film adaptaion of Lin-manuel Mirandas and Quiara Hudes Tony Award-winning musical In The Heights.

In August 2012 Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sanders agreed to mount stage productions of Sony films and announced that Tootsie, the 1982 comedy starring Dustin Hoffman, would be the first project.[22]

In September 2016, Sanders was named the creative head of global entertainment for Westfield Corporation, which confirmed its acquisition of Scott Sanders Productions.[23]

In October 2018, he relaunched Scott Sanders Productions as an independent theatre, film, television, music, live-event and experiential entertainment production company, with offices in New York and Los Angeles. Sanders serves as President and CEO.

In November 2018, Warner Bros. announced the development of a film adaptation of "The Color Purple" musical, co-produced by Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Quincy Jones, and Sanders.[24]

The Color Purple

Sanders had read Walker's book and wanted to produce it as a musical. The project took over eight years to realize, partly due to the reluctance of Pulitzer Prize-winner Walker to give permission for the adaptation of her novel. Walker was eventually won over by Sanders, and gave her permission and support.[25] Sanders thought that it had similarities to Fiddler on the Roof – "a community of people that the audience would follow over time," and told her so.[26]

The Color Purple, which premiered at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta and opened at the Broadway Theatre in New York City in December 2005, had an all-black cast and Oprah Winfrey as an investor.[27] Sanders promoted the production with television advertising, and had hired Fantasia, an American Idol winner, for the lead role.[28] The production was noted for its contribution to a "redefinition of the Broadway crowd," a reference to its ability to attract a multi-racial audience.[29] Later, Sanders would describe the work of producing a musical as "wrestling an octopus, keeping all the puppies in the box," and the hardest thing he had ever done, "more white-knuckle than I'd like, and the most fun I'd ever had."[30]

The London production at Menier Chocolate Factory, directed by John Doyle, was co-produced by Sanders and Roy Furman and ran from July to September 2013.[31][32] On January 9, 2015, producers Sanders, Furman, and Winfrey announced that the Menier Chocolate Factory production would be mounted on Broadway, with Jennifer Hudson making her Broadway debut in the role of Shug, Danielle Brooks playing the role of Sofia, and Cynthia Erivo reprising her role as Celie.[33][34] Previews began November 10, 2015, with the official opening December 10 at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre.[35][36][37] Cynthia Erivo won the 2016 Tony Award for best performance by a leading actress in a musical. The production won the 2016 Tony Award for best revival of a musical.[38]

The Pee-Wee Herman Show

Sanders' production opened at the Stephen Sondheim Theater in October 2010. It was dubbed by one critic "Nothing less than a bubble bath of nostalgia for the many adoring fans of Pee-wee."[39] All advance tickets had been sold at full price. For months prior to the opening the producers and Paul Reubens used social networking sites Facebook and Twitter to the production's advantage to stimulate media and fan interest. By opening night the Pee-wee character had acquired approximately 750,000 followers on the two sites. Sanders has said of the success of the production's use of social media, "You're talking about a database of fans that costs zero."[40]

Evita

Sanders was one of the producers of the musical revival "Evita," which opened in New York on April 5, 2012.[41] Efforts of the producers and star Ricky Martin using Twitter and Facebook generated about $500,000 in advance ticket sales. Both the show's website and social media efforts were in Spanish and English, and are credited with expanding the appeal of the show.[42]

The Odd Life of Timothy Green

The Odd Life of Timothy Green, a 2012 Walt Disney Pictures film co-written and directed by Peter Hedges, was co-produced by Sanders and opened in U.S. theaters on August 15, 2012.[43] Based on a concept by Ahmet Zappa, the fantasy film is about a magical pre-adolescent boy whose personality and naïveté have profound effects on the people in his town.

After Midnight

Sanders produced After Midnight, a Broadway production of City Center Encores' Cotton Club Parade, which premiered in November 2013 and closed in June 2014.[44][45]

Up Here

The romantic-comedy stage musical Up Here debuted at the La Jolla Playhouse in July 2015, with an official opening on August 9, 2015, starring Matt Bittner and Betsy Wolfe in the leading roles. Directed by Alex Timbers, the show features songs and libretto by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, and presented by special arrangement with Scott Sanders Theatrical Productions.[46]

Awards and nominations

Sanders has won two Tony Awards, an Emmy Award, and a Grammy Award. He won his first Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event in 2002 for Elaine Stritch at Liberty.[47]

In 2004 Sanders won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety, Music, or Comedy Special for "Elaine Stritch: At Liberty" (2002).

Sanders received a 2005 nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album for Queen Latifah's The Dana Owens Album, a 2005 nomination for Best Special Theatrical Event for "Dame Edna: Back with a Vengeance", and was nominated in 2002 for a Best Special Theatrical Event for "Elaine Stritch: At Liberty."

In 2006, The Color Purple was nominated for eleven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical, Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical, Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical, Best Choreography, Best Original Score, Best Book of a Musical, Best Costume Design of a Musical, Best Lighting Design of a Play, and Best Lighting Design of a Musical.[48]

In 2012, "Evita" received three Tony nominations, for Best Revival of a Musical, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical, and Best Choreography.[49]

After Midnight received seven Tony Award nominations (Best Musical, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical, Best Costume Design of a Musical, Best Lighting Design of a Musical, Best Sound Design of a Musical, Best Direction of a Musical and Best Choreography), earning the award for choreography.[50] It also earned three Drama Desk Award nominations (Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical, Outstanding Choreography and Outstanding Revue, winning in the latter two categories).[51][52] Of five Outer Critics Circle Awards nominations (Outstanding New Broadway Musical, Outstanding Director of a Musical, Outstanding Choreographer, Outstanding Costume Design and Outstanding Lighting Design),[53] the show won for Outstanding Choreographer.[54] After Midnight was also the most-nominated production at the 2014 Astaire Awards, where it won for Outstanding Male Dancer, Outstanding Female Dancer and Outstanding Choreographer.[55]

Sanders won his second Tony Award as lead producer for Best Musical Revival winner The Color Purple in 2016.[56]

He earned a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album as producer for The Color Purple in 2017.[57][58]

Personal life

Sanders married noted addiction recovery activist, behavioral healthcare entrepreneur and author Brad Lamm in California in 2008 in a ceremony officiated by Alice Walker, who was ordained by Universal Ministries for the event.[59]

References

  1. ^ Alumni of Distinction: Inducted in the 2000s Archived 2008-08-19 at the Wayback Machine. College of Journalism and Communications, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
  2. ^ a b c Miriam Kreinin Souccar (2002-03-11). "Showbiz insider takes the stage with new outfit". Crain's New York Business. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ a b c John Fleming. "Passion for 'Purple' has Local Roots". "Saint Petersburg Times". Dec. 12, 2005
  4. ^ Watrous, Peter (1992-05-05). "Review/Music; A Lifetime Of Joyous Improvising". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-01-28.
  5. ^ Pareles, Jon (1990-08-11). "Review/Pop; The Unpredictable Aretha Franklin". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-01-28.
  6. ^ Palmer, Robert (1983-05-20). "Pop: Marvin Gaye Sings". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-01-28.
  7. ^ Holden, Stephen (1983-03-09). "Concert: Bette Midler Performs at Music Hall". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-01-28.
  8. ^ Gussow, Mel (1983-08-17). "Stage: Richard Pryor Live at Radio City". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-01-28.
  9. ^ Holden, Stephen (1981-09-11). "The Commodores Bring Soul to the Music Hall". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-01-28.
  10. ^ Pareles, Jon (1987-04-27). "Concert: Simon's 'Graceland'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-01-28.
  11. ^ Doty, Meriah (2016-08-31). "Broadway Producer Scott Sanders Sells Firm to Westfield Malls". TheWrap. Retrieved 2019-01-29.
  12. ^ Terrace, Vincent (2013-06-06). Television Specials: 5,336 Entertainment Programs, 1936–2012, 2d ed. McFarland. ISBN 9781476612409.
  13. ^ Sandomir, Richard (2009-06-29). "How Michael Jackson Redefined the Super Bowl". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-01-29.
  14. ^ Trakin, Roy; Trakin, Roy (2018-02-01). "The 10 Best (and Two Worst) Super Bowl Halftime Performances (Watch)". Variety. Retrieved 2019-01-29.
  15. ^ Ozanian, Mike. "How Michael Jackson Saved The Super Bowl". Forbes. Retrieved 2019-01-29.
  16. ^ Scott Sanders Archived 2007-11-02 at the Wayback Machine. Playbill. accessed September 29, 2011.
  17. ^ Creative Battery. The Internet Broadway Database. accessed September 29, 2011.
  18. ^ Scott Sanders Productions
  19. ^ Zachary Pincus-Roth, "'Color Purple' Producer Sanders Partners with Disney on Film and Theatre Company" Archived 2008-07-06 at the Wayback Machine. Playbill, March 21, 2007.
  20. ^ Andrew Gans, "Scott Sanders Theatrical Productions will Develop/Produce Stage Versions of Sony Pictures Films". Playbill. Aug. 23, 2012.
  21. ^ Kit, Borys. "Hedges on tap for Zappa's 'Odd' movie idea". Reuters. June 11, 2009
  22. ^ Patrick Healy."Sony Pictures the Latest Studio to Make Boradway Push". The New York Times. Aug. 23, 2012.
  23. ^ Chow, Andrew R. (September 1, 2016). "Producer Scott Sanders to Direct Westfield Entertainment". The New York Times. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
  24. ^ "Spielberg, Oprah Bringing 'Color Purple' to Big Screen (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2019-01-28.
  25. ^ "One man’s quest for the colour of success" Sydney Morning Herald. June 24, 2004
  26. ^ Jim Higgins. "Inspiring Journey". The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. August 10, 2008
  27. ^ "Alice Walker: Jazzed About Broadway". Bloomberg Businessweek. November 21, 2005.
  28. ^ Campbell Robertson. “A Black ‘Cat,’ Catching an Elusive Audience’". The New York Times. March 20, 2008.
  29. ^ "‘The Color Purple’ draws diverse crowd." CBS News. June 6, 2006.
  30. ^ Susan Berfield, "The Making of 'The Color Purple' - a Masterpiece Becomes a Musical". Business Week, Nov. 21, 2005.
  31. ^ Gans, Andrew (March 6, 2013). "Tony Winner John Doyle Will Direct European Premiere of The Color Purple at Menier Chocolate Factory". Playbill. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  32. ^ Healy, Patrick (August 15, 2013). "Stripping a Southern Musical to Its Core: The Director John Doyle Revives 'The Color Purple' in London". The New York Times. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  33. ^ "Kyle Jean-Baptiste, 1st Black Actor to Play Jean Valjean on Broadway, Dies in Fall". CBS News. August 29, 2015. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
  34. ^ Rutti, Ron (August 29, 2015). "Baldwin Wallace Graduate Kyle Jean-Baptiste, Youngest to Play 'Les Miserables' Lead, Is Dead at 21". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
  35. ^ "Jennifer Hudson Will Make Broadway Debut in Color Purple Revival". Playbill.com. 2015-01-09. Retrieved 2015-04-01.
  36. ^ Hetrick, Adam and Viagas, Robert. "Broadway 'Color Purple' Revival With Jennifer Hudson and Cynthia Erivo Sets Full Cast" Playbill, October 6, 2015
  37. ^ Playbill Staff. "The Verdict: Read Reviews for Broadway 'Color Purple' Revival, With Jennifer Hudson and Cynthia Erivo" playbill.com, December 11, 2015
  38. ^ "The Tony Award Nominees - Winners". TonyAwards.com. Retrieved 2016-06-21.
  39. ^ Charles Sherwood. “Older, but No More Mature”. The New York Times. November 11, 2010
  40. ^ Gordon Cox, “Pee-wee friends online followers to box office”. Variety, September 11, 2010
  41. ^ "Evita" Internet Broadway Database The Internet Broadway Database Accessed Aug. 29, 2012.
  42. ^ Barbara Chai, [1] The Wall Street Journal Online, March 4, 2012. Accessed September 14, 2012
  43. ^ "The Odd Life of Timothy Green" Internet Movie DatabaseAccessed Aug. 29, 2012.
  44. ^ "Scott Sanders: Producer". Playbill Vault. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  45. ^ "After Midnight". Playbill Vault. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  46. ^ Ng, David (June 3, 2014). "'Frozen' songwriters to debut new musical 'Up Here' in La Jolla". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  47. ^ "Westfield Acquires Scott Sanders Productions; Continues Work on Broadway's COAL MINER'S DAUGHTER, UP HERE and IN THE HEIGHTS Movie". Broadway World. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
  48. ^ Gans, Andrew (May 16, 2006). "2005-2006 Tony Nominations Announced; Drowsy Leads Pack with 13 Noms". Playbill. Archived from the original on January 16, 2009. Retrieved September 18, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  49. ^ Tony Awards Official Website of the American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards [2]
  50. ^ Gans, Andrew (April 29, 2014). "68th Annual Tony Awards Nominations Announced; Gentleman's Guide Leads the Pack". Playbill. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  51. ^ Gans, Andrew (April 25, 2014). "2014 Annual Drama Desk Awards Nominations Announced; Gentleman's Guide Earns 12 Nominations". Playbill. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  52. ^ Gans, Andrew (June 1, 2014). "Winners of 59th Annual Drama Desk Awards Announced; 'Gentleman's Guide' and 'All the Way' Win Top Prizes". Playbill. Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved September 18, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  53. ^ Gans, Andrew (April 22, 2014). "64th Annual Outer Critics Circle Awards Nominations Announced; A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder Leads the Pack". Playbill. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved September 18, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  54. ^ Gans, Andrew (May 12, 2014). "64th Annual Outer Critics Circle Award Winners Announced; 'Gentleman's Guide' Wins Four Awards". Playbill. Archived from the original on May 12, 2014. Retrieved September 18, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  55. ^ Hetrick, Adam (June 3, 2014). "After Midnight Sweeps Top Honors at Astaire Awards". Playbill. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  56. ^ Cummins, Carolyn (September 1, 2016). "Lowys bring some old razzle dazzle to Westfield with acquisition of Scott Sanders Theatrical Productions". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  57. ^ FIERBERG, RUTHIE. "The Color Purple Cast Album Wins the Grammy". Playbill. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
  58. ^ Afinidad-Bernardo, Deni Rose M. (February 13, 2017). "Filipino producer wins Grammy for best musical theater album". The Philippine Star. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
  59. ^ "Brad Lamm, Scott Sanders". The New York Times, Sept. 21, 2008. p. ST16

Further reading

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