SHN

Taking those sorts of risks has helped Ms. Shorenstein Hays build SHN as a conduit for newly conceived theater productions, a number of them bound for Broadway.

Theater Offers City Shot at Leading Role Geoffrey A. Fowler 2011

The founder of theater company SHN signed Mr. Jackman to launch his performance with a two-week engagement not on Broadway, but at San Francisco's Curran Theater.

Theater Offers City Shot at Leading Role Geoffrey A. Fowler 2011

In an interview, Mr. Jackman said he was drawn to San Francisco in part because SHN agreed to give him a week to work out his show on the Curran stage itself.

Theater Offers City Shot at Leading Role Geoffrey A. Fowler 2011

Inside SHN, "there is a lot of conversation about risk and reward," said Mr. Holland.

Theater Offers City Shot at Leading Role Geoffrey A. Fowler 2011

Not all of SHN's premieres have become New York hits.

Theater Offers City Shot at Leading Role Geoffrey A. Fowler 2011

During the depths of the recent recession SHN's ticket revenue fell 8% to 10%, a drop he called moderate, and is still off about 2%.

Theater Offers City Shot at Leading Role Geoffrey A. Fowler 2011

In the last decade, SHN has hosted world premieres or pre-Broadway runs of hits including "Wicked," "Mamma Mia!" and "Legally Blonde."

Theater Offers City Shot at Leading Role Geoffrey A. Fowler 2011

SHN is a joint venture between Ms. Shorenstein Hays, whose family became wealthy in real-estate development, and Robert Nederlander, a member of a family that is a longtime owner of Broadway theaters and backer of shows.

Theater Offers City Shot at Leading Role Geoffrey A. Fowler 2011

Residents and tourists are willing to pay for culture, said SHN's chief executive, Greg Holland.

Theater Offers City Shot at Leading Role Geoffrey A. Fowler 2011

Coups such as Mr. Jackman's 10-day run at the Curran Theater, where he performs Broadway hits and shares stories from his stage career, have helped SHN, the Bay Area's largest for-profit theater company, become a heavy hitter.

Theater Offers City Shot at Leading Role Geoffrey A. Fowler 2011