Just before the cast and crew left New York city, I had a chance to sit down with Robert Jess Roth and Douglas Cohen who are responsible for bringing The Opposite of Sex to the stage. Many people will instantly recognize Rob's name as being the director for Disney's Beauty and the Beast (for which he received a Tony nomination.) Douglas Cohen received praise for his No Way To Treat A Lady (plus an Outer Critics Circle nomination for Best Revival) and currently has Children's Letters to God playing at the Lamb's Theatre for which he wrote the lyrics to.
Robert Jess Roth and Douglas Cohen first met in 1985 on October 28th - a significant day and one that Doug will never forget because of a significant victory with ASCAP and No Way To Treat A Lady. "It was the night that allowed me to get the rights to do it. Rob was the first one to come over to me.""I heard his music and I just emotionally responded to his writing - his lyrics were funny too, but the music moved me. So I immediately rushed up to say hi.. that was 19 years ago" added Rob.After that, the two worked together on No Way To Treat A Lady and also a one act called The Ever After: A Play with Diddies (which starred Mary Testa, Vicki Lewis and Veanne Cox) Roth went off to work on Disney's Beauty and the Beast for ten years but the two always stayed in touch and knew that they wanted to a project together.The Opposite of Sex runs September 25 – October 24 at the Magic Theatre. Click here for more information about tickets.
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