BREAK OUT IN SONG's Page

BREAK OUT IN SONG is an ambitious public arts project that pushes the boundaries of live theater as it dazzles unsuspecting audiences with free, spontaneous and fully staged Broadway musical numbers.

Name:
Ryan Hugh Mackey

Profession:
Producer

Location:
Brooklyn, NY

Please give us a short bio:
Ryan acted as assistant director of *The Boy From Oz* starring Hugh Jackman, served as Mel Brooks’ assistant during *The Producers*, and was the go to lackey/production assistant on Elton John and Tim Rice’s *Aida*. Most recently he assisted Broadway producer David Binder (*A Raisin in the Sun*) in presenting The 2007 High Line Festival (curated by David Bowie), Broadway’s *33 Variations* starring Jane Fonda, and the current Off-Broadway smash *Fuerza Bruta: Look Up*. *BREAK OUT IN SONG * is his first independent
production.

Web sites and social media addresses
www.breakoutinsong.com; www.sillyboyproductions.com;
www.facebook.com/ryanhmackey

Please describe the mission of BREAK OUT IN SONG.
BREAK OUT IN SONG was created as a means of inspiring future theater audiences by making them part of the show.

What was the inspiration for taking choreographed Broadway musicals to public spaces?
I've always dreamed of a musical coming to life around me, and I have a feeling I'm not the only one. It wasn't until I kept seeing YouTube clips of spontaneous musical moments (Sound of Music in the Belgium station; Food Court Musical) that I thought "That little dream is completely attainable."

Any plans for celebrity guests for future events?
I do have a few ambitious BREAK OUT IN SONG goals to do within the year, and it definitely involves some celebrities, but outside of that BREAK OUT is about letting every day people an opportunity to be part of the process. There was a shy young man involved in our show that had never sung or danced in front of an audience. BREAK OUT is for them.

If you could “break out in song” anywhere on the planet, were would it be?
I'd like to have a 'Break Out In Song Day' which would occur all over the world.

What’s been the Broadway and industry reaction to BREAK OUT IN SONG?
I did approach quite a few Broadway producers when I began fundraising for the project, and some very supportive producers did reach out with support and words of encouragement. But on a whole though, I think most didn't understand what we were trying to accomplish. Needless to say, I am now discussing possible commissions for a few spontaneous musical moments outside of BREAK OUT

Where do you get the talent, dancers and singers?
Most of our dancers and singers came from an open audition, but we also had Broadway choreographers reach out to their friends and associates. It was definitely a team effort to get the necessary people to pull this off.

Who would you like to thank most?
I have to thank Jessica Hartman, Josh Walden, Andrew Turtletaub and Josh Prince (the choreographers); but the person who I thank day in and day out is, my partner. His support and love helped me accomplished this goal. Normally, I'd think of something and let the idea fade away. He wouldn't allow me to let the idea fade this time, and I cannot thank him enough.

What is your most memorable personal theatre moment?
Sitting in my sister's high school theater at the age of 9 and discovering what live musical theater was. I still haven't seen a production of Little Shop of Horrors that lives up to that experience... and I hope I never do. It's that excitement of discovery that I thrive on.

Tell us one little-known fact about BREAK OUT IN SONG that you think we should know:
I tried relentlessly to get the rights to The Music Man's "Seventy Six Trombones". I wanted Professor Harold Hill to plop down in Times Square and sell NYC a brass band. I even began reaching out to the Brooklyn Steppers (an inner city marching band), but the Meredith Willson estate turned down our request. Something tells me they may reconsider this request.

If you had 5 words to describe or sum up BREAK OUT IN SONG’s “Theatre Story”, what would they be?
“Life is a song. Sing.”