JAMIE deROY is a six-time Tony Award-winning producer (Angels in America, The Band’s Visit, Once on This Island, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love), in addition to numerous Outer Critics Circle and Drama League Awards, eight MAC Awards, four BackStage Bistro Awards, 10 Telly Awards, CaB Magazine’s Lifetime Achievement Award, the MAC Ruth Kurtzman Award and was honored by TheaterWorks/USA and Primary Stages for her extensive work on both stage and screen. Jamie has appeared onstage with the late Joan Rivers and has headlined at many of New York’s major clubs. She has produced over eight CDs in the Jamie deRoy & friends series on the Harbinger and PS Classics labels. Her theatre producing credits include over 50 Broadway productions and 42 off-Broadway productions. Her TV and film producing credits include the Emmy-nominated “The Biggest Little Operas in Town” for Channel 13 and Rick McKay’s documentary Broadway: The Golden Age.
1) NiteLife Exchange (NLE): When you first arrived in New York City from Pittsburgh, what did you imagine your professional life to be?
Jamie deRoy (JdR): I wanted to be a musical theatre actress! I studied at AMDA (American Musical and Dramatic Academy) Fun fact: Tyne Daly was my classmate! Now I’m co-producing her latest play Downstairs where she stars with her brother Tim Daly. It’s the second play I’ve done by Theresa Rebeck.
2) NLE: The leap from performer to producer has been quite successful. What made you take that leap?
JdR: It was a fluke for sure. I owe it all to Jeffrey Richards, as he got me started with The Compleat Works of Wlm Shakespeare (Abridged) at The Westside Arts Theatre (now the Westside). After that it was Say Goodnight, Gracie and then Chita Rivera: A Dancers Life. After that it just snowballed. You get on every list and sometimes it’s hard to say “no.” I love theatre, so producing it comes naturally.
3) NLE: How has being a multi Tony Award-winner changed your life?
JdR: It certainly changed by bio!!!! I never assumed I’d be a “Six-time Tony Award-winner”! It has propelled me to rub shoulders with many people I admire; from other producers to actors and directors, etc.
4) NLE: Since you did start as a performer, do you ever think you’ll return to that full time & why – or why not?
JdR: I have thought about it. Maybe I’d do a show utilizing video and tell stories around some of the songs. However, I still get very nervous on stage. I don’t know how everyone does it day in and day out! My main focus has been, and continues to be, presenting talent.
5) NLE: What’s the most unusual experience you’ve ever had doing “Jamie deRoy & friends?”
JdR: Steve Allen coming to my show and getting up and performing the parody he had just sent to me!! Or, Henny Youngman getting up onstage – unplanned, but SO WELCOME.
6) NLE: What’s the one thing you would like to do, if you were given the chance?
JdR: I’d like to do a part in a film again, only a little bigger than my past roles!
Jamie deRoy & friends
Doors: 6pm
Show: 7:30pm
Tickets $25 – $60
Click here for tickets.
New York, NY
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