Emanuel Azenberg

Emanuel "Manny" Azenberg (born January 22, 1934) is an American theatre producer and general manager whose professional relationship with playwright Neil Simon spans thirty-three years.

Azenberg was born in The Bronx, the son of Hannah (née Kleiman) and Joshua Charles Azenberg. He attended the Bronx High School of Science. He became interested in the theatre after seeing his uncle, former Yiddish theatre actor Wolfe Barzell, perform in the 1948 play Skipper Next to God by Jan de Hartog. After studying at New York University and serving time in the United States Army, he became the assistant company manager for The Legend of Lizzie, an ill-fated 1959 play that closed after two performances. He worked for David Merrick and Alexander H. Cohen before earning his first producing credit with The Lion in Winter in 1966.

Azenberg first met Neil Simon in 1963 when the two played softball with Robert Redford, who was appearing in Simon's play Barefoot in the Park at the time. Their professional association began with The Sunshine Boys in 1972 and continued with The Good Doctor, God's Favorite, Chapter Two, They're Playing Our Song, I Ought to Be in Pictures, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Biloxi Blues, Broadway Bound, Lost in Yonkers, Jake's Women, The Goodbye Girl, and Laughter on the 23rd Floor, among others.

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