Crains New York - January 14, 2013 - (Page 41)

HELLUVA TOWN Is play Russian to Broadway? The critically acclaimed production of Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, starring Sigourney Weaver and David Hyde Pierce, is slated to close on Jan. 20. But those who haven’t had a chance to see the comedy at Lincoln Center’s Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater may yet be able to buy a ticket.The arts organization is in preliminary negotiations with a group of commercial producers to bring the play to Broadway, a spokesman for the nonprofit confirmed. He declined to name the group that had expressed interest in the Christopher Durang farce, which takes themes and characters from Chekhov. The last Lincoln Center show to move from the Newhouse to Broadway was the Tony-winning Other Desert Cities in 2011. It is unclear whether there will be any cast changes should Vanya move. —theresa agovino Flying with the JetZet Travelers sick of shuffling through paper itineraries and confirmations just got a new option for organizing their plans. JetZet, aimed at business travelers, consolidates flight itineraries, hotel reservations, rental cars and driving directions into one running list.When traveling in groups, users can share the same set of JetZet plans.Users can also find people they know in their destination cities and make new connections through the site. “We really have the most advanced controls possible to share trips and itineraries,” said CEO Nick Farina (below, left). JetZet is currently available for Web browsers and iPads, but not mobile phones. Mr.Farina and co-founder Kiran Patel (below, right) started the company at the end of 2011 in Chicago and put up all the funding.They recently moved to a cooperative workspace in New York and are seeking outside financing.The site officially launched at the beginning of the year and has already racked up more than 5,000 users. To make money, the partners plan to roll out a subscriptionbased offering and will begin to sell travel services such as hotel rooms and car rentals. “We plan to grow the company aggressively,” Mr.Farina said, adding that “it would be disappointing” not to have seven-figure revenue 16 months from now. —ali elkin ON LOCATION: Actor Damon Fields (center) with crew members on the set of a horror short. INSIDE Source Breakfast Weight Watchers gains pounds, dollars PAGE 42 Out and About Restaurant Week is back PAGE 43 Stairway to stardom Aspiring actors find that extra work is a good way to get a foot in the soundstage door A BY STEPHEN KLEEGE brush with mortality pushed Joseph Borzotta to join a growing legion of background actors, or “extras,”in New York film and TV productions.¶ “I had a hereditary heart-valve issue and had to get open-heart surgery,” said the 49-year-old painter and real estate investor, who is in good health five years after the operation. “The things you daydream about doing, you have a little more urgency. I was always fascinated by actors. I thought it would be really cool to have that experience.”¶ The Rutherford, N.J., resident signed up with NYCastings, a website that helps film and TV producers find talent, and soon found himself seated next to actor James Franco at a lunch counter on the set of Shadows & Lies,a 2010 release by Rabbit Bandini Productions.Next came “an amazing experience” as a member of a polka band on the live episode of NBC’s 30 Rock in 2010, in which he pretended to play a clarinet within 20 feet of Tina Fey,Tracy Morgan, Alec Baldwin,Matt Damon and Jon Hamm.¶ Background acting is luring an increasing number of laid-off office workers, retirees and movie fans who are willing to work often tedious sessions for $85 to $100 EXTRA OPPORTUNITIES Number of prime-time TV shows shot in NYC this season 25 See ACTORS’ on Page 42 Number of feature films shot in NYC in 2011 January 14, 2013 | 188 Crain’s New York Business | 41 buck ennis

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Crains New York - January 14, 2013

Crains New York - January 14, 2013
In the Boroughs
In the Markets
The Insider
Business People
Opinion
Greg David
Small Business
Report: Real Estate
The List
Classifieds
New York, New York
Source Breakfast
Out and About
Snaps

Crains New York - January 14, 2013