Tommy Kail discusses his story with the New Drama Book Shop and what he has in the works | Broadway buzz

Thomas Kai
(Photo by Mark Ralston / AFP via Getty Images)

With hits under your belt like In the Heights, Freestyle Love Supreme, Hamilton and Fosse / Verdon, Tommy Kail is a visionary director. The latest episode of Broadway profiles offers an interview with Kail where it all began: the Drama Book Shop. As previously announced, the new space for the coveted meeting place in the theater district is now owned by Kail and his Hamilton Employees Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeffrey Seller as well as James L. Nederlander. Emmy-winning host Tamsen Fadal sat down with Kail in the brand new store to discuss Kail’s history with the institution – and his bright future.

“That was important to me when I first came to New York City in early 2001,” he said of the Drama Book Shop, founded in 1917 by the Drama League. “I had a little company called Backhouse Productions with a few … my pals and Allen Hubby, who ran the bookstore with Rozanne Seelen, said, ‘Hey, we’re looking for a local theater company.’ They introduced us to the space in the summer of 2001, and that’s where we put all of our early shows out. In the heights started down there. Freestyle Love Supreme Started down there – so many of the really fundamental relationships of my life as a person working in this business and as a person. “

The Drama Book Shop is now synonymous with that Heights and Hamilton Pioneers who have also teamed up for FX’s Fosse / Verdonwhich earned Kail a couple of Emmy nominations for directing. Have controlled The wrong man Off-Broadway pre-pandemic and announced a future direction Violinist on the roof Movie remake, Kail claims his theatrical roots go nowhere as he ventures into the world of television. “I have a small television production company,” said Kail. “I have some things that I’m cooking right now. You step on the gas and are stirred. I have a lot of things that are directly related to theater. “

Check out the full interview below and move on Here to check your local listings Broadway profiles. Hosted by Fadal and operated by Broadway.com, it is the only nationwide syndicated weekly theater newscast.