In 1987, two women met at the box office of New York City’s Joyce Theater. Beverly Jenkins was the assistant box office treasurer while aiming for a career as a stage manager. Lizz Cone had just moved to New York from Colorado, BFA in hand. Cone’s best friend from college, Jamie Heinlein, was Jenkins’ box office comrade, and Cone would swing by the Joyce to hang out. Soon, Cone and Jenkins grew to also call each other best friends.
“She is my people. Period,” said Jenkins of Cone. The feeling is clearly mutual as the two sit joshing with each other and trading knowing looks in the conference room of Wagner/Johnson Productions, where Cone currently works.
“It’s just having someone you can talk to,” Jenkins said. “This is what makes any good friendship — you do not have to explain or sugarcoat anything.” That extends to when the pair confides in each other about work. Both Jenkins and Cone have become stalwarts of the Broadway business, equipping them with a deep level of understanding and a common shorthand.
Since those afternoons at the Joyce, Cone grew to become a veteran company manager and general manager, while Jenkins ascended to the level of storied production stage manager. Today, Cone and Jenkins are among the core team who runs the 2024 Tony Award-winning Best Play and Best Musical — with Cone as the company manager (CM) of “Stereophonic” and Jenkins the production stage manager (PSM) of “The Outsiders.”
“Stereophonic” marks the 35th show Cone has company managed (and that doesn’t count her credits as an assistant or a general manager). “The Outsiders” is Jenkins’ 26th Broadway show, her 18th as PSM. At the beginning of Jenkins’ career, Cone actually helped her transition from the world of dance, regional and touring to Broadway.
