Co-Producer - Deborah grew up at the Omaha Community Playhouse, watching her actress mother. She performed in "Aladdin’s Lamp" at Omaha Junior Theater—a predecessor of The Rose. (She is grateful no video exists).
Deborah began her career at the Upstairs Dinner Theater as Producer/General Manager of this live, professional theater. In 1984, the Upstairs’ turnaround became the subject of a Harvard Business School case study, Lyric, Inc, still taught in business curriculums nationwide.
In 1987, Deborah moved to New York City. She worked for off-Broadway’s Second Stage Theater for one year. In 1989, Deborah joined the Broadway producers Dodger Productions. There she created and built Big League Theatricals, an industry leader that produces, books and general manages national tours of Broadway shows. Representative productions included: "Guys and Dolls," "The Secret Garden," "Into the Woods," "Driving Miss Daisy" and "The Who’s Tommy," the most profitable production of this multimedia Broadway musical.
Deborah left Big League Theatricals after nine years, but she still partners with the company as producer on specific national tours. Recent offerings include "Dreamgirls," "Hair," and "The Producers," and "A Christmas Story—The Musical" by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land, Dear Evan Hansen). This holiday musical is in its fourth year of seasonal touring.
Deborah enthusiastically thanks her collaborators on "The Doll Maker’s Gift." Grateful appreciation to Shani Katzman of Chabad, for the idea, to Howard Kooper and Larry Kelberg, our Executive Producers, and to Sammy Buck, Brian Feinstein, and EllaRose Chary, New Yorkers who took the call and signed on for this adventure in Omaha. Thanks to the beautiful Rose Theater, a treasure. Most of all, thanks to the champion of this project, who brought our story to life, Fran Sillau.