Producer James Simon’s journey into theater production wasn’t a straight line but an evolving path. Like many who fall in love with theater, his early connection to the stage came through acting. As a child, he participated in school plays and camp performances. Still, as he grew older, his career took a few unexpected turns, ultimately leading him to discover his true calling behind the scenes.
Born in Bronxville, New York, James attended Emerson College in Boston, where he studied communications. After graduation, he worked briefly in radio before making the bold decision to move to New York City in the early 1990s to pursue a career in acting. Like most aspiring actors, he worked multiple jobs while attempting to establish himself in the theater world. However, over time, he realized that his strengths lay not in acting, but in the business side of theater. This realization led him to transition from performing to producing, where he could use his creativity and organizational skills to make productions come to life.
James’s first significant foray into Broadway came with his work on a revival of Damn Yankees. This experience was a turning point, giving him a deeper understanding of the complexities of running a theater production. Here, he discovered the behind-the-scenes challenges of theater production — from managing budgets to coordinating schedules — and his interest in the producing side of the industry only grew. From that moment, he set his sights on becoming a Broadway producer, using his background in performance and communications to create a blend of creativity and organization.
Throughout his career, James has earned recognition for his contributions to Broadway. His first Tony Award nomination came for his work on Bells Are Ringing, which was nominated in the Best Revival of a Musical category. More recently, he received another Tony nomination for Operation Mincemeat, which was recognized in the Best New Musical category. Off-Broadway, he co-produced The Woman in Black, which went on to win the Best Play Revival award from the Off-Broadway Alliance. His work has expanded beyond New York, with productions in London’s West End and various international theater festivals.
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