Broadway mogul Scott Silberstein talks career, projects

1986 College graduate Scott Silberstein is a co-founder of HMS Media, a creative consortium which is known for producing the television elements of Broadway hits such as “The Book of Mormon,” “Wicked” and “Mamma Mia!” An Emmy-winning organization, HMS Media's projects range from putting together the promotional marketing to creating documentary based-content for these shows.

Last week, The Daily Pennsylvanian caught up with Silberstein on his career trajectory and upcoming project, “First You Dream: The Music of Kander and Ebb.” The one-hour special explores the music of the famous songwriting duo John Kander and Fred Ebb, who together scored musicals like “Chicago” and “Cabaret.”

The Daily Pennsylvanian: How did HMS Media begin?

Scott Silberstein: HMS really first began when I met Matt Hoffman in 1977 at summer camp. We were fast friends and knew we wanted to work together as some kind of a creative consortium. In 1988, we officially became a company and have been working together ever since.

DP: How did “First You Dream: The Music of Kander and Ebb” develop?

SS: HMS has worked with PBS on several TV specials, and they really liked our work. So two years ago, I got called in to pitch some ideas for a special. I came in with about twenty ideas, but the one I was most excited about was “First You Dream.” I had met John Kander when I was a sophomore at Penn through my father. John was actually my father’s summer camp counselor. I sent him some music that I was working on, and he liked it enough to invite me to meet him in New York. It was such a big deal to me that he was interested in a 19 year old kid like me.

John is just the nicest and humblest guy in the world, and one of my biggest professional role models. If you know John Kander, then your life will be better, your work will be better and your circle of friends will be better. I just love that I have a chance to honor him, and expose people to his amazing music, because he has accessible and smart lyrics, but when you dive deeper there are even more extraordinary things in there.

DP: How is “First You Dream” structured? Is it a biographical account of the songwriting duo?

SS: Most revues have a thematic idea, but that theme isn’t necessarily based on a story. For me, “First You Dream’s” thematic arc is like a journey from hell to heaven. You start in this awful place and then end with sweet discovery and connection. That arc is really important, because it’s nice to have a bunch of good songs back to back, but that’s like having just tasty ingredients side by side. What you really want is a dinner.

DP: What were the challenges in taking a revue like “First You Dream” and getting it television ready?

SS: “First You Dream” was originally a two hour, two-act show. We’re airing it as a one hour special which really means that with breaks, I have 52 minutes and 15 seconds. So we had to make some tough calls on what to cut. We learned not to be so reverential to the original work, and try to show a new perspective. Thankfully, we did get to include some of those cuts as extras on the DVD.

DP: When does “First You Dream” air?

SS: It airs on Nov. 20, 8 p.m. central and 9 p.m. eastern on PBS.

This Q & A has been lightly edited for clarity.

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