Columbia Theatremakers Bring 'Giant' to Broadway
After a West End run which earned the play three Olivier Awards, Giant by Mark Rosenblatt is coming to Broadway in March, with Associate Professor of Professional Practice Michael Passaro joining the team as Production Stage Manager. Theater Management and Producing alum Nicole Kramer '20 is Lead Producer for the production, and fellow Theatre Management and Producing alum Kalen Choei Sakima '25 is Assistant Company Manager. Theater students Tatum Ludlam and Samantha Grocock are also involved in the production, serving as Associate Producer to Robyn Goodman and Josh Fiedler and Production Assistant, respectively.
Giant follows the fallout after famous children’s author Roald Dahl, played by the Tony, Emmy, and Golden Globe award-winner John Lithgow, wrote a book review that was widely received as antisemetic. The play dramatizes one tense afternoon in Dahl's country home as Dahl, his fiancee (played by Rachel Stirling), and two publishers (played by Aya Cash and Elliot Levy), navigate his moral image and literary career.
The Daily Mail reviewed the play while it was on in London, noting “The play poses many questions, including that old one about whether art should be judged by the character of the artist.” Other media outlets like Variety have called Giant a “powerhouse play whose time has most definitely come.”
Passaro is a teacher and stage manager with nearly forty years’ experience in professional theater. In addition to his work on Giant, he is the worldwide Production Supervisor for Shucked. Previous credits include Moulin Rouge! The Musical, The Cher Show, Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, Holiday Inn, Bright Star, Wolf Hall, and the revival of Pippin, directed by Columbia alum Diane Paulus '97. Passaro is also very proud to have been associated with the original Broadway productions of Starlight Express, The Will Rogers Follies, Angels in America, The History Boys, A Steady Rain (starring Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig), Promises Promises (with Sean Hayes and Kristin Chenoweth), and the recent revivals of Evita and How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (starring Daniel Radcliffe).
Nicole Kramer is a Tony and Olivier Award-winning producer. She previously worked as a producer at Aged in Wood Productions. Nicole is on Roundabout Theatre Company's Junior Board.
Tatum Ludlam grew up in Seattle, WA, surrounded by art and theatre, and her love for musicals was inherited from her parents. She finds joy in the imperfections of live theatre and the evolving nature of performance. Tatum spent her youth performing professionally around Seattle while balancing a second life of academia and activism. This duality culminated in two degrees: a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Oklahoma as well as a MFA in Producing from Columbia University. Now based in NYC, she continues to perform and produce.
Sam Grocock (she/her) is originally from Granger, Indiana and recently graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a BA in Film, Television, and Theatre and a minor in Korean. Her involvement in undergraduate productions and work with the Notre Dame Shakespeare Company developed her passion for stage management. At Columbia she hopes to strengthen her engagement in inclusive theatre practices.