AMM Talks With Jersey Boys Producer, Joseph Grano

Arts Management Magazine: What do you believe the future holds for Broadway?
Joe Grano: I believe that the quality of current productions has maintained the legacy of past performances. From Jersey Boys to Hamilton, Broadway has retained traditional theatregoers and has given birth to a whole new audience. The only “headwind” will come if our economy does not continue to recover. Absent that concern, I am very optimistic – so much so that I am backing a new production called The 12.

AMM: You have a unique philosophy of life that you took from the Green Berets to Wall Street to becoming the producer of Jersey Boys. So we just want to ask you some questions on your philosophy. When you are making a long-term decision, what’s your thought process?
JG: Obviously you have to think through the consequences. An analogy I’ll give you is when you push down on a waterbed try to understand where it’s going to pop up. And that’s how I view longer-term thinking. As a matter of fact, it is a philosophy called chain of change and every link in that chain you need to understand if you have the appropriate talent and are you aligned with the activities you are trying to effect. But the most important message is if it requires a cultural change, no one can change quickly. The only thing that changes culture really quickly is pain and agony.

Joseph Grano is CEO, Philanthropist and Producer of Jersey Boys