Tony and Emmy Award-winning producer Scott Sanders has just been named creative head of global entertainment, a newly created role, at Westfield Corporation.
As part of the deal, his Scott Sanders Theatrical Productions, responsible for the widely lauded musical revival “The Color Purple,” has been wholly acquired by Westfield, the New York-based company announced on Wednesday.
Along with his existing plans to bring several productions to Broadway — including “Tootsie,” “Coal Miner’s Daughter” and “Up Here” — and to make the movie adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda‘s “In the Heights,” Sanders will also be developing “organically-inspired” theatrical experiences for the company’s many shopping centers in cities including London, Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York.
“The writers are busily at work and we’re excited about what they’re doing,” Sanders told TheWrap of his upcoming Broadway and film productions.
When it comes to the plan to bring innovative entertainment to the company’s shopping centers, he said “the possibilities are infinite.” No specific plans have been laid out yet but, added Sanders, “I am eager to collaborate with artists at the top of their fields in all mediums to bring immersive entertainment to Westfield consumers.”
“This continues our tradition of making our centres about more than just shopping,” said Westfield co-CEO Peter Lowy in a statement.
Sanders’ decades-long career has touched many areas of entertainment, including Michael Jackson’s 1993 Super Bowl halftime show. He helped shape new programming at Radio City Music Hall, making it one of the highest-grossing theaters in the world.
Lisbeth R. Barron, Chairman & CEO, and the team at Barron International Group, LLC, was the financial advisor to Scott Sanders Theatrical Productions for the transaction.
What Can't 'Hamilton' Creator Lin-Manuel Miranda Do? (Photos)
The multi-talented Lin-Manuel Miranda has done it all, performing from Broadway to the White House. Here's a look at his accomplishments through the years.
During his sophomore year of college, Miranda began writing what would ultimately become the Tony-winning Best Musical "In the Heights." What were you doing when you were 20?
Miranda is such a big deal that he was given the chance to voice the Loud Hailer during a performance of Broadway's "Les Miserables," all because he's a huge fan and it had been a lifelong dream of his. Check that one off the bucket list.
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Miranda and the cast of "Hamilton" not only got to perform at the White House, but the creator/writer/star got to buddy up to the President himself afterwards by freestyle-rapping about the state of the union off of cue cards held up by Barack Obama himself.
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"Hamilton" became such a big deal that the Treasury department shelved plans to replace Alexander Hamilton on the $10 bill with a woman. Instead, the $10 father without a father will stay put, while Harriet Tubman will replace Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill instead.
"Hamilton" made Grammy history by being so popular that it demanded to be the first Broadway show to perform during the music industry's biggest awards ceremony. Immigrants, we get the job done!
Even Disney and JJ Abrams are huge Miranda fans. He did cantina music for "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," will compose for the animated "Moana," and will star in "Mary Poppins" with Emily Blunt. All while continuing to star in "Hamilton," because of course.
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To underline how big of a phenom "Hamilton" really has become, the musical has already garnered Miranda a MacArthur "genius" grant and the Pulitzer for Best Drama. Come June, it will sweep the Tony Awards as well. And good luck getting tickets. Still.
Miranda's latest goal is to get Congress to allow Puerto Rico to declare bankruptcy amid a major economic crisis. John Oliver devoted an entire "Last Week Tonight" segment to it, and then invited Miranda - who had already spoken in DC about the issue - to come on stage to do what he does best. "Hamilton" tickets and even private performances are on the table. Paul Ryan, your move.
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The ”Hamilton“ creator is urging Congress to act on Puerto Rico’s economic crisis, and there’s precedent that says he will succeed
The multi-talented Lin-Manuel Miranda has done it all, performing from Broadway to the White House. Here's a look at his accomplishments through the years.