Freddie Gershon Explained

Freddie Gershon is an American entertainment attorney, author, former president of the Robert Stigwood Group,[1] former co-chairperson of SESAC,[2] and current co-chairperson (with Sir Cameron Mackintosh) of Music Theatre International.

Education

Gershon studied classical music at the Juilliard School.[3] He graduated from Columbia Law School in 1964.[4]

Career

Gershon's clients included film director Michael Ritchie, choreographer Ron Field, playwright Tom Eyen, rock band Chicago,[5] drummer Pete Best,[6] and writer Shel Silverstein.[7]

In 1976, Gershon became Robert Stigwood's partner in RSO Records,[8] which he represented on landmark concert tours, including the Broadway production and film Jesus Christ Superstar,[9] as well as Eric Clapton,[10] the Bee Gees,[11] and the financing of Tommy the film.[12]

Later, Gershon partnered with CBS and Allan Carr to produce a breakthrough album for Plácido Domingo, ,[13] as well as the Broadway show, La Cage aux Folles.[14] He also produced Evita,[15] Saturday Night Fever, Grease,[16] and Gallipoli.[17]

Since 2018, Gerson has been co-chairperson of Music Theatre International (MTI), which licenses amateur rights to Broadway shows.[18] At MTI, Gershon developed the Broadway Junior Program, which brings art, theater, dance, and music to children.[19]

Gershon's book Sweetie, Baby, Cookie, Honey, is a roman a clef novel about the music industry of 1960s through 1980s.[20] [21] [22] [23] [24]

After Freddie and Myrna Gershon in 2013 tracked the effects of a musical theater program for autistic children, the couple executive produced a 2014 documentary profiling the program, titled Spectrum of Hope, directed by Danny Mendoza.[25]

Gershon's latest project is Broadway Senior, which adapts shows, such as Into the Woods, for senior citizens.[26] [27]

Philanthropy

Gershon has been active in charities such as the ArtsConnection, and has served as vice chairperson of the Development Committee for New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.[28]

Gershon also created the Freddie G Fellowship, which each year selects eight theater instructors to attend an all-expenses-paid, four-day trip to New York City to work one-on-one with industry professionals in seminars, master classes, and Broadway shows. Each teacher's school also receives $5,000 from Gershon and his wife, Myrna, to enhance their respective arts programs.[29]

In 2010, Gershon created and funded, with his wife, Myrna, the Kennedy Center/Stephen Sondheim Inspirational Teacher Awards. The awards provide grants to outstanding teachers in the United States.[30] [31]

Awards

In 2012 Gershon was awarded a Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theatre for creating Broadway Junior.[32] [33]

The New York Historical Society honored Gershon and his wife, Myrna at the 2013 American Musicals Project Benefit for the couple's philanthropic work benefitting children through performing arts.[34]

Personal life

Gershon lives in New York City with his wife, Myrna.[35]

Gershon grew up in Bayside, NY with his close friend Eddie Birnbaum (who passed away on April 23, 2022) for whom he wrote a long, loving and remarkable New York Times death notice.[36]

Gershon is married to former Screen Gems motion picture marketing executive, Myrna Gershon. She is widely credited as the mastermind behind the creation of Flintstones Chewable Vitamins. Web site: Myrna's Prehistoric Journey to Yabba Dabba Do. Freddie. Gershon. 7 October 2010. HuffPost.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Will Robert Stigwood's Disco Musical Be a Major Comeback or Swan Song?. Lisa. Gubernick. August 24, 1999. Wall Street Journal.
  2. Web site: Taking It to the Stage. Edward. Morris. December 21, 1995. Nashville Scene.
  3. Web site: Freddie Gershon. February 3, 2008. Gawker.
  4. Web site: A Writer Shaped by Columbia Law School. April 8, 2016. Columbia Law School.
  5. Web site: Freddie Gershon Blows the Lid Off Rock 'N' Roll With Novel. May 27, 1986. The Baltimore Sun.
  6. Web site: Making Book on the Pop Music Minefield. October 21, 1986. The Chicago Tribune.
  7. Web site: Freddie Gershon Blows the Lid Off Rock 'N' Roll With Novel. May 27, 1986. The Baltimore Sun.
  8. Web site: The Hotshot. October 8, 1986. Philadelphia Daily News.
  9. Web site: Making Book on the Pop Music Minefield. October 1, 1986. The Chicago Tribune.
  10. Web site: Freddie Gershon Blows the Lid Off Rock 'N' Roll With Novel. May 27, 1986. The Baltimore Sun.
  11. Web site: Making Book on the Pop Music Minefield. October 1, 1986. The Chicago Tribune.
  12. Web site: Freddie Gershon: Building the Broadway Audience by Empowering Young Performers. June 3, 2012. The Tony Awards.
  13. Web site: Freddie Gershon: Building the Broadway Audience by Empowering Young Performers. June 3, 2012. The Tony Awards.
  14. Web site: On Stage. September 2, 1988. The New York Times.
  15. Web site: Making Book on the Pop Music Minefield. October 21, 1986. The Chicago Tribune.
  16. Web site: Staging a Play, and Exploring Possibilities. August 14, 2001. The Los Angeles Times.
  17. Web site: The Hotshot. October 8, 1986. Philadelphia Daily News.
  18. Web site: Theater Licenser MTI Elevates Drew Cohen To Global CEO. February 21, 2018. Deadline.
  19. Web site: Broadway Junior® has all the ingredients you need.... Just add kids!. February 21, 2018. Music Theatre International.
  20. Web site: 2 NOVEL APPROACHES TO ROCK TRUTH. Los Angeles Times. Patrick Goldstein. 28 September 1986. 16 June 2019.
  21. Web site: SWEETIE BABY COOKIE HONEY Review. Kirkus Reviews. 3 October 1986. 16 June 2019.
  22. News: Making Beautiful Money Together. Christopher Schemering. 30 November 1986. Washington Post. 16 June 2019.
  23. News: Rea . Steven . A PRODUCER'S 'INSIDE' NOVEL ON THE MUSIC BIZ (book review) . . 7 October 1986.
  24. News: Van Matre . Lynn . MAKING BOOK ON THE POP MUSIC MINEFIELD (book review) . . 21 October 1986.
  25. Web site: Making Theater Autism-Friendly. Vidya. Viswanathan. 6 April 2015. The Atlantic.
  26. Web site: Into Their 60s and 'Into the Woods'. Adam. Hetrick. July 5, 2019. The New York Times.
  27. Web site: MTI's Broadway Senior Creates Musical Theatre for a New Generation of Performers—the Senior Citizen Generation. Nancy. Coleman. July 12, 2019. Playbill.
  28. Web site: Freddie and Myrna Gershon Transforming Lives and Building Community. 28 June 2018 . ArtsConnection.
  29. Web site: What Does It Mean for Teachers to Be Named a Freddie G Fellow?. Sarah Jane. Arnegger. 25 August 2017. Playbill.
  30. Web site: Kennedy Center to Award Grants in Honor of Sondheim. Patrick. Healy. September 28, 2010. The New York Times.
  31. Web site: Grant program will honor Sondheim, reward teachers. Brett. Zongker. September 28, 2010. The San Diego Union-Tribune.
  32. Web site: Recipients of Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre Announced. Andrew. Gans. 12 March 2012. Playbill.
  33. Web site: Freddie Gershon: Building the Broadway Audience by Empowering Young Performers. tonyawards.com.
  34. Web site: NY Historical Society to Honor MTI's Freddie and Myrna Gershon. Adam. Hetrick. 7 May 2013. Playbill.
  35. Web site: A Getaway Apartment, in Your Own Building. Joanne. Kaufman. August 9, 2013. The New York Times.
  36. Web site: EDDIE BIRNBAUM Obituary (2022) New York Times . 2022-04-28 . Legacy.com.

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