Producer James Simon

James Simon didn’t begin his journey in theater with producing in mind. Like many who fall in love with the stage, his earliest experiences came as a performer. He acted in school productions and summer camp shows throughout his childhood. Along the way, he explored other interests, including college and radio, but eventually returned to the world where he felt most at home.

Today, James L. Simon is an established Broadway producer. His work has earned two Tony Award nominations, and his credits extend from New York to the United Kingdom.

He was born and raised in Bronxville, New York, and studied communications at Emerson College in Boston. After college, James worked in radio for several years before deciding to pursue acting full-time. He moved to New York City in the early 1990s and, like many actors trying to make a living, held several jobs. But it wasn’t long before his backstage work started to take priority over his time on stage.

His first experience behind the scenes came during a revival of Damn Yankees. It was through this production that he learned what it truly takes to bring a show to life. That experience changed the direction of his career. From that point forward, Producer James Simon became a consistent presence in the theater world, working on the business side of productions.

He demonstrated a strong ability to identify promising projects and assemble the right teams to bring them to fruition. That balance between creative thought and organized execution helped shape his path forward in theater. His focus on the practical aspects of producing allowed him to stay grounded while contributing to the creative process.

James L. Simon’s first Tony nomination came with Bells Are Ringing in the Best Revival of a Musical category. His most recent nomination was for Operation Mincemeat, which earned a nod for Best New Musical. He also co-produced The Woman in Black Off-Broadway, which received the Best Play Revival award from the Off-Broadway Alliance. Beyond New York, his work has reached audiences in London’s West End and at international festivals.

Looking ahead, James is preparing to bring The Marriage of Alice B. Toklas by Gertrude Stein to the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. At the same time, he is co-producing a national United States tour of Dungeons & Dragons: Twenty Sided Tavern, an interactive show that combines live gaming with performance.