Few producers have a track record like LaChanze. So far, she is two for two. Nominated in 2023 for Best Musical (“Kimberly Akimbo”) and Best Revival of a Play (“Topdog/Underdog”), LaChanze took home both statues. This season, she joined the producing teams of “The Outsiders” (nominated for Best Musical) and “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding” (Best Play). Alongside her on “Jaja’s” is producer Jamie Forshaw with Madison Wells Live, which earned its first lead producing credit with the play. (LaChanze and Forshaw produced the play with Manhattan Theatre Club and Taraji P. Henson.)
On June 16, viewers of the Tony Awards broadcast will learn if LaChanze can keep it up — and if Forshaw will join the list of winning producers.
In this final episode of “5 minutes with a Tony nominee,” the two producers share their strategies in actually bringing first-time theatergoers to their shows and retaining them as Broadway ticket buyers. LaChanze details her grassroots efforts to sell “Jaja’s” to the community to which the play pays tribute, as well as her thoughts on sustaining Broadway.
