Steven Sater's Nero musical reaches London after 20-year journey
The Tony-winning dramatist reflects on bringing his Roman emperor tragedy to the stage two decades after its San Francisco premiere.
At a glance
- Nero had its first full production in San Francisco in 2006 but is only now receiving its second professional staging in London
- The musical took two decades to reach London through workshops and showcases seeking financial backing
- Sater won Tony awards for Spring Awakening in 2007 after years of financial and professional difficulty
Steven Sater's musical Nero is receiving its second full professional production in London, more than 20 years after the work was first staged in San Francisco in 2006. The project has undergone numerous workshops and showcases during the intervening years as Sater sought backing for the production.
Sater, who won Tony awards for Spring Awakening in 2007, said he faced financial and professional struggles before that success. He suggested his work may be considered too expensive for subsidised theatre and too risky for commercial producers, though he believes audiences respond positively to his creations.
Why it matters
The production marks a significant milestone for a work that has faced decades of development challenges, reflecting broader questions about funding and risk in theatre production.
Original reporting
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