Biography Of Producer James Simon
James Simon didn’t set out to be a producer Like many who fall in love with theater, his first connection to the stage was as a performer. He’d acted throughout childhood in school and camp shows, then made a couple of pit stops (college, radio) before finding himself back where he belonged
Today, James L. Simon is an accomplished Broadway producer with two Tony Award nominations and a roster of credits stretching from Manhattan to the UK.
A Career that Grew Backstage
James was born and raised in Bronxville, New York, and studied communications at Emerson College in Boston After a few years in radio, he moved to New York City in the early ‘90s to pursue acting full-time. Like many actors living in New York, James had more than one job. But it wasn’t long before his side gig became his real gig
His first experience with a Broadway production was working on a revival of Damn Yankees, where he began to understand the true amount of work it takes to get a show on its feet And from that point, James Simon, the Producer, became a consistent figure in the business side of the theater industry.
He developed a knack for identifying projects with potential and assembling the right people to bring them to fruition. That combination of creative imagination and business discipline is what carried forward his contributions to Broadway and has since enjoyed considerable success in this arena.
Award Nominations and Career Highlights
James L. Simon has been recognized for his efforts with numerous awards and career highlights. He got his first Tony nomination for Bells Are Ringing in the Best Revival of a Musical category He most recently earned another nod for Operation Mincemeat, which was nominated for Best New Musical.
Off-Broadway, he co-produced The Woman in Black, which later won the Best Play Revival award from the Off-Broadway Alliance He has also taken shows to London, where he has produced in the West End, and to festivals around the world.
This year, he's gearing up for the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where he’ll be bringing The Marriage of Alice B. Toklas by Gertrude Stein (a critically acclaimed play) and co-producing a United States national tour of Dungeons & Dragons: Twenty Sided Tavern This interactive show blends traditional theater with live gaming.
What Drives James
Ask James why he keeps doing this, and his answer is candid: he believes that stories are powerful and should be accessible to all He's proud of the big stuff, sure, but still values the more minor, more intimate works that may not have had as much buzz.
James also wants to help grow new talent. He often said in interviews and various articles that it is hard for new voices in the theatre to gain a foothold.
He has used his platform to speak out about the need for more funding, mentorship, and opportunities for those at the beginning of their careers. Currently, he serves on the board of Untitled Theater Company No. 61 and has also donated to artist relief programs, such as Artists Relief and Donors Choose
James also gives back to causes outside of the art world. He has volunteered with the New York Food Bank and Habitat for Humanity, regularly donated blood through the New York Blood Bank, and given back to organizations such as the Legal Aid Society.
Producing Today: What It Takes
There are numerous difficulties in simply producing a show, including securing funding, resolving creative conflicts, coordinating the schedule, and arranging travel. Being a Broadway producer isn't just about choosing a good script. You need to understand the market's timing, what the audience wants, and the physical limitations
In that sense, James L. Simon, the Producer, is also part artist, part entrepreneur, and part traffic controller He cherishes the small and hidden things that people aren't seeing. The behind-the-scenes phone calls, budget conversations, and those last-minute changes that make a show run smoothly. That’s where James feels he adds the most value not by taking credit, but by keeping things moving
Staying Grounded in a High-Stakes Industry
While James has a long list of credits to his name, he doesn't carry himself as someone with something to prove. He's practical and refreshingly straight-shooting This mindset has served him very well in an industry known for rewarding flash over substance.
He isn't chasing trends; instead, James concentrates on projects with longevity As the industry develops into spectacle and rapid-turnaround productions, he remains grounded. What matters to him is whether a show has integrity and a respectful working environment that guarantees the audience gets something real
What’s Next for James?
There's more in store from James. He has some projects he’s currently working on that he can't discuss, but we know that they will be creative, engaging, story-driven, and likely push a few boundaries
One thing is for sure: James Simon, the Producer, never does anything half-heartedly Whether managing a large overseas tour or backing an indie production, Simon exerts the same level of care and attention to detail in every step of the process.
He’s become known as a man who understands the heart and grind of live theatre. And as long as there are stories to tell and audiences to reach, he’ll keep finding new ways to bring them to life.
