John Gore (theatre producer)
-->John Gore (born 1961) is the Chief Executive Officer of Key Brand Entertainment, Inc. (KBE), a leading developer, producer, and distributor of live theatre in North America. Gore acquired Broadway Across America (BAA) in January 2008 through Key Brand Entertainment, from the music company Live Nation for an announced price of $90.4 million. Entertainment industry veteran Tom McGrath is Gore's partner in KBE and serves as Chairman. BAA is the largest producer and presenter of Broadway musicals for the touring market in the US and Canada. Based in New York, BAA manages the touring subscription series in over 40 markets across the United States, invests in Broadway productions and conducts other activities as discussed below.
Broadway Across America
The company operates the premier subscription series "Broadway Across America", which presents an annual series of touring Broadway musicals and straight plays in 42 markets across the United States and Canada. In addition, the company owns and operates a number of Theatres:
- Boston: Colonial Theater; Charles Playhouse
- Minneapolis: The Historic Theater Group (Orpheum, State, Pantages)
- Baltimore: The Hippodrome
In addition to Gore and McGrath, the shareholders of the company include Dancap private equity, Lawson(Japan) and Tokyo Broadcasting. Dancap is headed by Aubrey Dan, a prominent Canadian private investor and a major producer and importer of "Broadway" musicals and plays. Lawson is the largest chain of convenience stores in Japan and operates the largest ticketing business in Japan. Tokyo Broadcasting Systems is the largest Broadcaster in Japan and an important importer and producer of "Broadway" musicals to Japan.
Broadway shows presented by BAA during recent theater seasons include Rent, Wicked, The Lion King, The Producers, Phantom of the Opera, Light In The Piazza, My Fair Lady, A Chorus Line, Spring Awakening, Fiddler on the Roof with Topol, and many others. Recent Broadway shows produced in part by BAA include Passing Strange, In the Heights, [title of show], and others.
Early Career and Education
Gore, was educated at Harrow School and graduated in film and theater from London University in 1987. His student production of Joe Orton's What The Butler Saw enjoyed a successful run at the Bloomsbury Theatre, a theatre associated with his alma matter, UCL. Mr. Gore's producing and/or directing credits on the West End include: Thunderbirds F.A.B. (produced first in 1989 is currently the most revived show in the of the West End, returning for a sixth time in 2002); Star Trek - the Lost Voyage of the Enterprise; and Wallace & Gromit. Key Brand Entertainment was formed in 1995 and has been an active investor in theater and theater related businesses prior to the BAA acquisition. Gore has been a member of the Society of London Theatre since 1992 and a member of the Board of Governors of The Broadway League since 2008.
Broadway and West End Credits
- God of Carnage
- Spring Awakening (London, Novello Theatre 2009)
- Desire Under the Elms [Revival, Play, Drama]
- Hair [Revival, Musical]
- Impressionism [Original, Play, Drama]
- West Side Story [Revival, Musical, Drama]
- Blithe Spirit [Revival, Play, Comedy, Farce]
- Irving Berlin's White Christmas [Original, Musical, Comedy] Nov 23, 2008 - ?
- 13 [Original, Musical, Comedy] Oct 5, 2008 - ?
- Equus [Revival, Play, Drama] Sep 25, 2008 - ?
- Cirque Dreams [Original, Special, Circus] Jun 26, 2008 - Aug 24, 2008
- Boeing-Boeing [Revival, Play, Comedy] May 4, 2008 - ?
- A Catered Affair [Original, Musical] Apr 17, 2008 - Jul 27, 2008
- Passing Strange [Original, Musical] Feb 28, 2008 - Jul 20, 2000
- Wallace and Gromit
- Star Trek: The Lost Voyage of the Enterprise
Personal
Gore is a British citizen currently residing in New York.
References
- Live Nation Finds a Buyer for its Theater Business, NY Times January 25, 2008
- John Gore Website
- Live Nation Sells Off Theater Division, Variety January 24, 2008
- Live Nation Theatrical Business Sale Finalised The Stage January 28, 2008
- PR Newswire January 24, 2008