Ep. 56: Broadway Is a Business of Risk: Sue Gilad on Turning Ideas Into Hits (In Fine Company)

Behind every Broadway hit is a business machine—and the risks, decisions, money, people, and persistence behind the curtain are far more intense than most audiences ever see.In this powerful conversation, Joe Abreu sits down with Sue Gilad, a Grammy and five-time Tony Award-winning Broadway producer and co-founder of In Fine Company, to reveal what it really takes to turn an unproven idea into a Broadway production.Sue explains why producing a Broadway show is essentially entrepreneurship at an extraordinary scale: assessing risk, building teams, raising capital, marketing a product, managing personalities, responding to failure, and believing in an idea long before anyone knows whether it will work.She also pulls back the curtain on some surprising realities of the Broadway business—including why roughly 80% of Broadway shows don't make their money back while on Broadway, why today's productions can require $25–$30 million in capital, and why successful producers have to think about a show's potential for years and even decades beyond opening night.Sue shares lessons every entrepreneur, founder, creator, and leader can use:• How to evaluate an unproven idea before investing years into it• Why evergreen ideas can have more long-term value• How to know when something simply isn't "your" project• Why rejection is part of building something meaningful• How to build the right team around your vision• When to trust your gut—and when to walk away• Why you should "write the thing" instead of endlessly developing an idea• How feedback can make an idea stronger• Why surrounding yourself with the right people can change everything• How to stay resilient when the odds are stacked against youSue also shares the story behind productions including Moulin Rouge!, The Outsiders, Jagged Little Pill, Angels in America, Buena Vista Social Club, and the upcoming Purple Rain, while explaining how Broadway productions can expand into tours and international markets.One of the biggest lessons from this conversation is simple: **You don't need to know that your idea will work before you begin. You need to build it, test it, listen, adapt, and have the courage to decide whether it's worth continuing.**Guest: Sue GiladGrammy & five-time Tony Award-winning Broadway producer, author, editor, speaker, and co-founder of In Fine Company.🌐 Sue Gilad: https://www.suzannegilad.com🎭 In Fine Company: https://infinecompany.com/🎬 Explore In Fine Company's productions: https://infinecompany.com/productions/Mention Glovisor when reaching out 🤝 If you'd like a personal introduction or have questions about working with them, feel free to reach out to us, and we'd be happy to connect you.---🚀 Level Up Your Life & Business with Glovisor👉 Start here: https://Glovisor.com📘 Learn through our books: https://store.glovisor.com/🎓 Master the system with our guided online course🤝 Go deeper with personalized 1-on-1 coachingSubscribe to the Glovisor Podcast for conversations with founders, leaders, and experts who share the strategies, systems, and mindsets that drive business growth.#Broadway #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #PersonalDevelopment #BroadwayProducer #BusinessStrategy #Entrepreneurs #SuccessMindset #Glovisor #SueGilad #InFineCompany #JoeAbreu #podcastCHAPTERS00:00 Behind the Curtain: Broadway as a Business00:46 What It Really Takes to Produce Broadway02:47 Turning Unproven Ideas Into Hits04:48 How Producers Evaluate New Shows07:22 From Theater Kid to Broadway Producer08:57 Raising Millions for a New Show11:31 Why Anyone Invests in Broadway13:32 The $30 Million Broadway Gamble15:51 Why Every Show Is a New Startup17:01 Risk, Rejection & Resilience20:11 The Hardest Part: When Nobody Cares22:42 How a Show Actually Gets on Broadway25:01 The First Step: "Write the Thing"28:16 Trust Your Gut & Build the Right Team30:41 Where to Follow Sue & In Fine CompanyThank you for listening to the Glovisor Podcast.If this episode brought you value, subscribe and share it with someone who will benefit.To learn more about our programs and upcoming episodes, visit Glovisor.com