It's not every day you get a Broadway theater named after you! Thanks to all of my fans in the insurance and risk management communities for making this great honor possible!
Actually, this would have made a great April Fool's blog entry, but I couldn't wait another year to play the gag!
I was startled but thrilled to see the news reports about the Biltmore being renamed the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. Not only am I Samuel Friedman, but my middle initial is “J”–although I have yet to find out what this particular gentleman's “J” stands for to see if it is indeed a perfect match with mine. (To read the full story about this historic announcement, click here.)
At least this individual was in the media business–this Samuel J. Friedman was a rather prominent press agent back in his day. A foundation run by his kids helped pay to renovate the theater that will soon carry his (our!) name!
Since I love both theater and insurance, it was a pleasure for years to meet and then cover the business of Bob and Margery Boyar, the premiere brokers of Broadway for decades. Indeed, Bob is the only insurance broker to have his caricature hanging at Sardi's!
I first met Bob and his wife back when he was struggling to place coverage for Phantom of the Opera. Seems carriers were leery about taking on the risk of that chandelier “falling” into the audience every night! He set up a seminar at the theater to show underwriters in the entertainment niche, as well as members of the press, all the safety precautions being taken to keep paying customers safe, and eventually placed the cover.
(I wonder what the brokers for the Las Vegas version had to do, what with the Phantom actually swinging from that chandelier, which is not done in the Broadway version!)
Over the years, Bob hosted a bunch of other Broadway insurance seminars, including coverage for road companies and amateur productions. It was always a treat to write about it.
Bob taught me two things about insurance and the stage. For one, he said that Broadway's motto–”The show must go on!”–is music to the ears of any broker or underwriter. But he added that insurers cringe whenever they hear someone in the theater community utter the common backstage wish for good luck: “Break a leg!”
Bob and his wife retired a few years ago, and I miss him still. Broadway ain't the same without the Boyars!!!
As I mentioned in an earlier post on hunting coverage, it is amazing how insurance and risk management considerations permeate every sector of our economy and lives! What would we do without this industry???
© Arc, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to TMSalesOperations@arc-network.com. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.