Spielberg funds play?
Director might finance Broadway run
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It's looking likely, with chatter surfacing on both coasts that Spielberg is joining Broadway producing org Dodger Theatricals ("Jersey Boys") for a Rialto production of Sorkin's play "The Farnsworth Invention." Spielberg is planning to put up half the capitalization.
Currently running as part of a developmental series at the La Jolla Playhouse in California through March 25, "Farnsworth" is closed to critics. But buzz has been positive for the play, which chronicles the invention of television by one man only to have credit for it stolen by another.
Production is helmed by outgoing La Jolla a.d. Des McAnuff, whose longstanding relationship with the Dodgers includes hit Broadway transfers of La Jolla productions "Jersey Boys" and "The Who's Tommy."
Michael David, head of the Dodgers, downplayed talk of a Broadway production but clarified Spielberg's potential involvement.
"At this time, there are no plans to produce 'The Farnsworth Invention' on Broadway," he said. "Mr. Spielberg has no connection with the La Jolla production of the play. Should Dodger Properties decide to produce the play on Broadway at some time in the future, Mr. Spielberg would be involved as a limited partner."
Fred Zollo is also a producer.
It's too early to pinpoint the capitalization for the play, which has a cast of 12-15 playing some 40 roles, or exactly how much money Spielberg would kick in. But the show would probably cost well north of $2 million; the recent four-actor production of David Hare's "The Vertical Hour," for instance, came in at $2.6 million.
"Farnsworth" would mark a return to Broadway for Sorkin, whose 1989 success with "A Few Good Men" led to a career in screenwriting ("The American President") and television ("The West Wing," "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip").
Sorkin took steps to return to legit in 2003, when he decided to accept a theatrical commission from Ireland's Abbey Theater.
The Abbey pulled out of the production following a period of financial turmoil, but the play continued on to its current staging.
Spielberg became involved -- as an individual not affiliated with any studio -- sometime after the Abbey pulled out.
