INTERVIEW | Brian Spector, Wild About You

Heading to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane for a two-night run is Wild About You. The new musical is having its premiere here in London on the 25 & 26th March, which will star Eric McCormack. Ahead of the concert, we spoke with Tony Award-winning producer Brian Spector to find out more about Wild About You but also his incredibly fascinating career.

Congratulations on the news of Wild About You, before all that - where did your journey into producing begin and what kept you inspired to continue in the industry?

Thank you so much. My journey began in 2014 when I took over from Roundabout Theater Company the play Steinbrenner! in development, for which it had already presented two industry readings. I proceeded to further develop it and produce three additional readings, but eventually determined that it faced too many challenges to proceed. My first production credit (and Tony Award) was as a co-producer of The Inheritance, to which I was drawn because of its epic treatment of the AIDS crisis and the questions raised about generational respect. Instead of jumping into others, I waited until Leopoldstadt  (my second Tony Award) for my next credit.

What are you most inspired by in your work?

I am a “new works” person who is inspired by the telling of new stories or new ways to tell a story, and, in terms of musicals, new scores that are unique, varied and lyrical.

You’ve worked on some great plays like The Inheritance and Leopoldstadt and have also won two Tony Awards. Does that add fuel to your fire to continue working or does it create an underlying pressure?

I wouldn’t say that these experiences have done either. Instead, these shows, like the ones in which I have invested (Come From Away, The Ferryman, Six and Prima Facie), have sharpened my ability to recognize good theatre (which, other than Come From Away, all originated in the UK)

Now you are part of bringing Wild About You to London’s audiences, this is exciting! How were you first introduced to the new musical?

I met Chilina Kennedy, the composer and lyricist of WILD ABOUT YOU, in 2015 at the first song cycle of SUFFS (opening on Broadway in March), and we immediately connected. At a meeting shortly thereafter in her dressing room at the Sondheim Theater in NYC, where she was starring in Beautiful: The Carole King Story), she told me about her projects, including this one, which was then known as Call it Love, and she asked me and I agreed to assist her. I immediately fell in love with the score, which includes many of the songs on Chilina’s album. What You Find in a Bottle. From that point forward, I consulted on this project, attended almost all of the readings and presentations, and witnessed its growth into a piece with a lush and compelling score and a unique and emotional book.

What attracted you to continue being part of its journey to where it's heading to with the concert in London?

I executive produced the 29-hour reading and industry presentation in March 2023 in NYC, and knew from that moment (and the incredible feedback from trusted colleagues) that this is something very special. So, I took the option and decided that our first step would be a world premiere recording, the likes of which no one has ever heard before. During the album process, I decided that the next step should be a concert in the West End to further showcase the score and to explore the potential of the storytelling.

Can you tell us a little bit about Wild About You for those who don’t know a lot about it?

It’s the story of Olivia, who awakens in a hospital room with little memory. With the aid of her nurse, she must dig through her troubled past to determine who, among the loves of her life, is her emergency contact, only to slowly recognize that her desire to make everyone (Michael, Jessica and Thomas) happy has left no on one happy. Through a series of realizations, she reclaims her right to be flawed and loved in all her human complexities, and then tragedy strikes. But, that’s when Olivia literally moves Heaven and Earth to reconnect with her greatest love – her son Billy.

It’s funny, real and very emotional. Bring tissues!

Wild About You will star Eric McCormack which is very exciting (especially as a huge Will and Grace fan myself!) What do you think he will bring to his character in this new musical?

We were so fortunate to have Eric sing on the album the gorgeous track “High” with Chilina, Jenn Colella and Noah Ricketts, and he was wonderful. Besides his voice and presence, Eric will bring to his character Michael the type of emotional realness and depth the role deserves.

You produced the album for this musical, how long was that process?

We started the process in May and released the recording on November 17th (it already has over 65,000 streams!).

What is the biggest challenge of creating work for a new musical?

I feel as if the biggest challenge is to offer to the audience something new and exciting and the opportunity to see and identify with the complexities of life portrayed on stage.

British audiences have had a flurry of new work recently, what can they expect from Wild About You which we may haven’t experienced here before?

As I said, I am all about “newness” – and I couldn’t think of a musical that is newer, fresher and more exciting and interesting that this one. You will not be able to get out of your head the songs and story.

If people haven’t bought their tickets yet, why should they take a chance on this new musical?

Although I hesitate to make the answer to this question about me and deflect from the beauty and uniqueness of this show, all I can say is that I have taken that chance and staked my reputation on producing this concert series. Believe me, you don’t want to miss it.

 For further information about Wild About You including how you can book tickets can be found here.