Bill Hughes
Television producer Bill Hughes recently produced the spiritual and uplifting show, "Hallelujah Broadway". TheCelebrityCafe's Stephanie DeLuca spoke with Bill Hughes on how "Hallelujah Broadway" came to existence and what's in store for the future.
TheCelebrityCafe.com: How did the idea of Hallelujah Broadway come about?
Bill Hughes: This is the tenth special I produced for PBS over the 15 years I've been working for them. Actor Martin Sheen, his mother went to Ellis Island for a better life and the idea was processed in the memory of her. I haven't done a show in five years. I've done pop videos and comedy shows in Europe. I went to the London Academy of Arts and took up musical theater. Message songs are so important. People have become very superficial and inspirational songs will always make you cheer up. It's a very emotional show. In the song "For Good" from Wicked, Elphaba and Glinda sing to each other, "people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn, and we are led to those who help us most grow, if we let them and we help them in return." I thought that lyric was stunning. Men can't express feelings like women. It may be sexist but it's true. So I brought in two tenors to sing the song to get the message across. It's a very emotional journey. The songs are moving people. Many people have ADD and they're turned off very quickly. I like people who are in touch with their feelings. I have quite a few nieces and nephews and one's starting school, the other is graduating high school and I'm look at the different experiences they're going through. I find it weird that people rather be on Facebook rather than personal interaction. It's a funny world.
TCC: What does it take to make one of these shows?
BH: First and foremost, you have to believe in the project. Second you need someone to see what you're talking about and understand. I pitched the show to Joe Campbell at PBS and I was half way through my pitch when he said "you got me." Next, is getting money. We got money from our record company and my business partner and I raised the rest. We wanted to be able to take this show on the road and spread the good news. I immediately knew who the four voices were; Linda Eder, Anthony Kearns, Rodrick Dixon, Alfreda Burke. I wanted a musical director who understood every member of an orchestra. Gavin Murphy worked with Broadway before. We needed a song that described what the show is about so we created the song, "Hallelujah Broadway," which is sung in the middle of the show. During the second chorus everyone was applauding and gave a stand ovation. And there I was crying my eyes out behind the camera.
TCC: Have you ever thought of going on tour?
BH: Yes we are actually touring next year. We're announcing the tour in November and selling tickets in December. We're going on a national tour in April or May to all major cities, the cities where there have been a good response. This is not going to be a sprint but a marathon. Working with great talents is amazing.
TCC: Did you choose the songs for the show or were a few people involved?
BH: I picked all the songs. It's your baby, you know? My partner Bernadine Carraher took care of the technical end and deals with the artists…It took two years to make. British director Tony Gregory brought in 11 cameras and for lighting we brought in Andrew Leonard. He creates such rich and lovely colors and he worked with Mariah Carey and Celine Dion, so he knows what he's doing.
TCC: Were there any songs that you wish you would have had in the show or soundtrack?
BH: No. Everything is all on PBS. We actually over recorded songs. After the first tour we're planning on making "Hallelujah Broadway 2".
TCC: Out of all the shows you have produced over the years which one is your all time favorite?
BH: This is my favorite because I had to have my own visions come true. If it failed it's all my fault but I wanted this vision to happen.
TCC: Is there anything you wanted to produce that you haven't done yet?
BH: There are a number of projects I'm fascinated in. I like 30's, 40's and 50's music and I would like to do something with that. I am a foolish romantic; I like romance of every kind.
TCC: What piece of advice would you give to aspiring producers?
BH: Learn the business and respect it. Don't try to reinvent the wheel because it will only hurt you in the end. Producers who first come into the business have arrogance and impatience. This is a people industry and you need to calm down and take the ambition out of your eye. You need to have street smarts and understand what a good deal is versus a bad deal.
Image: tenor Rodrick Dixon (left) and producer Bill Hughes