Show Business: The Road to Broadway is a new feature length documentary following the journey of WICKED, AVENUE Q, CAROLINE, OR CHANGE and TABOO from their first steps of the creative process to the Tony Awards. Dori Berinstein, a veteran Broadway producer herself (LEGALLY BLONDE, THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE), directed and produced the documentary.

“It all began growing up loving theatre,” Berinstein said. “Then something gelled in college when I read William Goldman’s The Season – I began dreaming of being a producer and film director, and that one day when I was able and experienced, that I was going to bring that book to life.”

It’s been an idea that has been with her for a long time. As a producer for almost 15 years, she eventually got around to capturing the 2003/2004 season on film. Along with Alan Deutsch, director of photography, Berinstein practically lived on Broadway during the season.

“We shot the entire season, not just the four shows [that were featured],” she said. “It would have been very presumptuous to assume that those four shows would have such a great season.”

The documentary offers viewers intimate details of producing a Broadway show along with roundtable discussions with many of the top Broadway critics as they discuss the highs and lows throughout the season. And with exclusive access to the creative process, Berinstein filmed priceless musical moments with Stephen Schwartz (WICKED), Jeff Marx and Robert Lopez (AVENUE Q), as well as Jeanine Tesori and Tony Kushner (CAROLINE OR CHANGE). They followed the controversy behind the scenes of TABOO, the Boy George-inspired musical produced by Rosie O’Donnell. One of the most memorable parts of the film shows viewers the Gypsy Robe tradition that precedes opening night performances. Viewers have a front row seat to this insider moment for all of the shows. “It really brings the community together in a beautiful way – each one was very moving [to film],” Berinstein said.

Being a part of the Broadway community for such a long time, Berinstein had the trust and support of the shows to make the film a reality. “Everyone understood my passion and were very accepting of the process,” she said. “I wanted to make a film that celebrated the art form.” Much of her gratitude is with the unions and guilds, as they played a large part in making it all possible.

With so many incredible moments caught on tape, all the footage came down to one night: June 6, 2004. While most of the filming throughout the year was done solely by Dori and Alan, on Tony night, they had 14 different camera crews to capture the evening properly. Berinstein did not choose favorites that year.

“As a Tony voter, the honest truth is that I loved all the shows. I was so caught up in each one of them in a very personal inside and out way that I didn’t vote that year,” she said. “They were all extraordinary.”

However, she could have never predicted the final outcome. “When the show [AVENUE Q] was announced as Best Musical, I was silent with everyone else,” she recalled.

All the excitement leading up to and after the awards ceremony is on display in Berinstein’s fulfilling film. And what does she hope for everyone who sees the film?

“I am hoping that seeing it will make people want to go out and see a show. If people get caught up in just how thrilling, visceral, passionate and high-risk theatre is, when they go see a show, they know the years and years of commitment and sweat that goes into what they see on stage. That they develop a real appreciation for people involved in theatre, not just the actors, but the composers, lyricists, directors, stage hands, everyone – you can’t have a show without the actors, but you cant have a show without the dressers either. That’s what it is like on Broadway, but also in community theatre or high school productions.”

More information on Show Business: The Road to Broadway available at http://www.showbusiness-themovie.com/

By: Katie McCulloh