Stephen Pevner
| Stephen Pevner | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 10, 1959 |
| Occupation | Film and theater producer, literary agent |
| Years active | 1991–present |
Stephen Pevner (born September 10, 1959) is an American film and theater producer and literary agent.
A graduate of George Washington University, Pevner began his literary career in 1991, founding Stephen Pevner, Inc. He quickly began representing some of the most culturally relevant writers/filmmakers of his generation including Gregg Araki, Tom DiCillo, Karen Salmansohn, Richard Linklater and Todd Solondz.
In 1995, a then unknown Eve Ensler came to Stephen with a manuscript for what would become known as The Vagina Monologues. Originally created as a book, Pevner helped develop it into a reading. The one-woman play (starring Ensler) opened at Fez Under Time Cafe and then transferred to HERE Arts Center before becoming a global phenomenon.[1]
Pevner's success continued later that year when he met Neil LaBute and produced his writing/directing film debut, In The Company of Men starring Aaron Eckhart. Originally made on a budget of $25,000, it went on to gross over $2.8 million.[2] This film won the Filmmaker's Trophy at the 1996 Sundance Film Festival, Independent Spirit Award and New York Film Critics Award for Best First Feature Film.[3]
Pevner and LaBute then signed a three-picture deal, with LaBute directing Your Friends & Neighbors starring Ben Stiller, Nurse Betty starring Renee Zellweger, and Possession starring Gwyneth Paltrow. Pevner served as executive producer on all three.[4][5]
Pevner then relocated to New York City in 2003, taking over the reins as impresario behind New York's longest-running and largest underground dance parties via his company The Saint at Large(c).[6] At the helm of these storied and celebrated dance parties, Pevner continues to work with and introduce a stable of the highest caliber musical talent to New York audiences.
In 1999, Pevner introduced theater audicences to LaBute as Lead Producer of Bash: Latter-Day Plays (Off-Broadway, LA London).[7] Starring Calista Flockhart, Paul Rudd, Ron Eldard and directed by Joe Mantello, the play was filmed live as a Showtime Presentation (winner of Jury Award for Best Television Movie at Canadian BANFF Awards) and named in the Top 5 Shows of the Year by Time Magazine.[8]
In 2003, Pevner produced the smash hit Hollywood send-up, Matt & Ben, written by and starring Mindy Kaling and Brenda Withers. With seated productions Off-Broadway, Los Angeles, Chicago and a national tour, the play made Time's Top 10 for 2003.[9]
In 2005, Pevner produced the New York City concert debut of Jennifer Hudson at Hammerstein Ballroom.[10] Three years later, he produced the American debut of Euro-pop glamour girl Roisin Murphy.[11]
In 2007, Pevner conceived Schwarzwald – The Movie You Can Dance To, a motion picture incorporating multi-screen projection, live performance and a continuous dance mix. The film installation continues to screen in film and art festivals and nightclubs around the world.[12]
In 2011, Pevner produced Caligula Maximus – featuring Kayvon Zand, a musical disco circus showcasing a host of New York's most celebrated nightlife talent.[13] Subsequently, Pevner produced Black Rose Tango, a short film about Rose Wood, called the Sally Bowles of New York's underground cabaret scene.[14]
References
- ↑ "The Vagina Monologues | Eve Ensler". Randomhouse.com. February 10, 2001. Archived from the original on July 28, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
- ↑ "In the Company of Men (1997) - Box office / business". IMDb. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
- ↑ "In The Company of Men Details". Sony Movie Channel. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
- ↑ Abrams, Rachel (July 21, 1998). "LaBute firms for trio of pix". Variety. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
- ↑ ManhattanBeatnik (September 8, 2000). "Nurse Betty (2000)". IMDb. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
- ↑ "The Saint at Large". The Saint at Large. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
- ↑ "THEATER REVIEW; The Face of Evil, All Peaches and Cream – New York Times". Nytimes.com. June 25, 1999. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
- ↑ "Bash: Latter-Day Plays (2001 TV Movie) : Awards". IMDb.com. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
- ↑ "- Review - Theater - New York Times". Retrieved February 26, 2015.
- ↑ "Movies". Saintatlarge.com. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
- ↑ "The Saint at Large presents ROISIN MURPHY in concert @ Mansion – October 24". Rhythmism.com. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
- ↑ "Watch and Dance: The experimental 'Schwarzwald' movie comes to Town: Clublife section: Metro Weekly magazine, Washington, DC newspaper". Metroweekly.com. September 18, 2008. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
- ↑ "Kayvon Zand Leads CALIGULA MAXIMUS at House of Yes, Closes 4/17". Cabaret.broadwayworld.com. April 17, 2011. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
- ↑ "Black Rose Tango (2010)". IMDb. Retrieved February 26, 2015.