Freddie Gershon
Freddie Gershon is an entertainment attorney, author, former president of the Robert Stigwood Group,[1] former co-chairperson of SESAC,[2] and current co-chairperson (with Sir Cameron Mackintosh) of Music Theatre International.
Education
Gershon studied classical music at the Juilliard School.[3] He graduated from Columbia Law School in 1964.[4]
Career
Gershon's clients included film director Michael Ritchie, choreographer Ron Field, playwright Tom Eyen, rock band Chicago,[5] drummer Pete Best,[6] and writer Shel Silverstein.[7]
In 1976, Gershon became Robert Stigwood’s partner in RSO Records,[8] which he represented on landmark concert tours, including the Broadway production and film Jesus Christ Superstar,[9] as well as Eric Clapton,[10] the Bee Gees,[11] and the financing of Tommy the film.[12]
Later, Gershon partnered with CBS and Allan Carr to produce a breakthrough album for Plácido Domingo, Goya: A Life in Song,[13] as well as the Broadway show, La Cage aux Folles.[14] He also produced Evita,[15] Saturday Night Fever, Grease,[16] and Gallipoli.[17]
Since 2018, Gerson has been co-chairperson of Music Theatre International (MTI), which licenses amateur rights to Broadway shows.[18] At MTI, Gershon developed the Broadway Junior Program, which brings art, theater, dance, and music to children.[19]
Gershon's book Sweetie, Baby, Cookie, Honey, is a roman a clef novel about the music industry of 1960s through 1980s.[20][21][22][23][24]
After Freddie and Myna Gershon in 2013 tracked the effects of a musical theater program for autistic children, the couple executive produced a 2014 documentary profiling the program, titled Spectrum of Hope, directed by Danny Mendoza.[25]
Gershon’s latest project is Broadway Senior, which adapts shows, such as Into the Woods, for senior citizens.[26][27]
Philanthropy
Gershon has been active in charities such as the ArtsConnection, and has served as vice chairperson of the Development Committee for New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.[28]
Gershon also created the Freddie G Fellowship, which each year selects eight theater instructors to attend an all-expenses-paid, four-day trip to New York City to work one-on-one with industry professionals in seminars, master classes, and Broadway shows. Each teacher's school also receives $5,000 from Gershon and his wife, Myrna, to enhance their respective arts programs.[29]
In 2010, Gershon created and funded, with his wife, Myrna, the Kennedy Center/Stephen Sondheim Inspirational Teacher Awards. The awards provide grants to outstanding teachers in the United States.[30][31]
Awards
In 2012 Gershon was awarded a Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theatre for creating Broadway Junior.[32][33]
The New York Historical Society honored Gershon and his wife, Myrna at the 2013 American Musicals Project Benefit for the couple's philanthropic work benefitting children through performing arts.[34]
Personal life
Gershon lives in New York City with his wife, Myrna.[35]
References
- ^ Gubernick, Lisa (August 24, 1999). "Will Robert Stigwood's Disco Musical Be a Major Comeback or Swan Song?". Wall Street Journal.
- ^ Morris, Edward (December 21, 1995). "Taking It to the Stage". Nashville Scene.
- ^ "Freddie Gershon". Gawker. February 3, 2008.
- ^ "A Writer Shaped by Columbia Law School". Columbia Law School. April 8, 2016.
- ^ "Freddie Gershon Blows the Lid Off Rock 'N' Roll With Novel". The Baltimore Sun. May 27, 1986.
- ^ "Making Book on the Pop Music Minefield". The Chicago Tribune. October 21, 1986.
- ^ "Freddie Gershon Blows the Lid Off Rock 'N' Roll With Novel". The Baltimore Sun. May 27, 1986.
- ^ "The Hotshot". Philadelphia Daily News. October 8, 1986.
- ^ "Making Book on the Pop Music Minefield". The Chicago Tribune. October 1, 1986.
- ^ "Freddie Gershon Blows the Lid Off Rock 'N' Roll With Novel". The Baltimore Sun. May 27, 1986.
- ^ "Making Book on the Pop Music Minefield". The Chicago Tribune. October 1, 1986.
- ^ "Freddie Gershon: Building the Broadway Audience by Empowering Young Performers". The Tony Awards. June 3, 2012.
- ^ "Freddie Gershon: Building the Broadway Audience by Empowering Young Performers". The Tony Awards. June 3, 2012.
- ^ "On Stage". The New York Times. September 2, 1988.
- ^ "Making Book on the Pop Music Minefield". The Chicago Tribune. October 21, 1986.
- ^ "Staging a Play, and Exploring Possibilities". The Los Angeles Times. August 14, 2001.
- ^ "The Hotshot". Philadelphia Daily News. October 8, 1986.
- ^ "Theater Licenser MTI Elevates Drew Cohen To Global CEO". Deadline. February 21, 2018.
- ^ "Broadway Junior® has all the ingredients you need.... Just add kids!". Music Theatre International. February 21, 2018.
- ^ Patrick Goldstein (28 September 1986). "2 NOVEL APPROACHES TO ROCK TRUTH". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
- ^ "SWEETIE BABY COOKIE HONEY Review". Kirkus Reviews. 3 October 1986. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
- ^ Christopher Schemering (30 November 1986). "Making Beautiful Money Together". Washington Post. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
- ^ Rea, Steven (7 October 1986). "A PRODUCER'S 'INSIDE' NOVEL ON THE MUSIC BIZ (book review)". Philadelphia Inquirer.
- ^ Van Matre, Lynn (21 October 1986). "MAKING BOOK ON THE POP MUSIC MINEFIELD (book review)". Chicago Tribune.
- ^ Viswanathan, Vidya (6 April 2015). "Making Theater Autism-Friendly". The Atlantic.
- ^ Hetrick, Adam (July 5, 2019). "Into Their 60s and 'Into the Woods'". The New York Times.
- ^ Coleman, Nancy (July 12, 2019). "MTI's Broadway Senior Creates Musical Theatre for a New Generation of Performers—the Senior Citizen Generation". Playbill.
- ^ "Freddie and Myrna Gershon Transforming Lives and Building Community". ArtsConnection.
- ^ Arnegger, Sarah Jane (25 August 2017). "What Does It Mean for Teachers to Be Named a Freddie G Fellow?". Playbill.
- ^ Healy, Patrick (September 28, 2010). "Kennedy Center to Award Grants in Honor of Sondheim". The New York Times.
- ^ Zongker, Brett (September 28, 2010). "Grant program will honor Sondheim, reward teachers". The San Diego Union-Tribune.
- ^ Gans, Andrew (12 March 2012). "Recipients of Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre Announced". Playbill.
- ^ "Freddie Gershon: Building the Broadway Audience by Empowering Young Performers". tonyawards.com.
- ^ Hetrick, Adam (7 May 2013). "NY Historical Society to Honor MTI's Freddie and Myrna Gershon". Playbill.
- ^ Kaufman, Joanne (August 9, 2013). "A Getaway Apartment, in Your Own Building". The New York Times.