Steve Cohen spoke about the upcoming screening of Billy Joel’s documentary “And So It Goes” on August 27th in Sag Habor on Long Island.
Background on Steve Cohen
Steve Cohen is a Primetime Emmy award-winning production designer, lighting and video designer-director, creative director, as well as film and television producer.
Serving in the capacity of Executive Producer, his latest documentary film “Billy Joel: And So It Goes” premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York on June 4, 2025, and it aired on HBO/MAX on July 18th and 25th.
He currently has multiple projects in development with Amazon Studios, MGM, Pilgrim Media, The History Channel, Toluca Pictures, and RadicalMedia.
Over his career in the music and television industry, which spans five decades, Cohen has designed, produced, and directed tours and major events for some of the most iconic music and comedy artists of our time.
His collaborations include Billy Joel, Elton John, Reba McEntire, Sugarland, Tim McGraw, Lenny Kravitz, Blake Shelton, Justin Timberlake, NSYNC, Britney Spears, Mariah Carey, John Mellencamp, Hall & Oates, Paul Simon, Simon & Garfunkel, Don Henley and The Eagles.
Can you tell us about your August 27th event in Sag Harbor? What can we expect?
The film’s director, Susan Lacy, and I are locals here. She is on the board at the Cinema, and I did an event there with another Billy Joel film two years ago.
Billy, as you may know, was the first person to donate for the rebuild after the fire, so he is fundamental to the rebirth of the Cinema.
Susan and I wanted to celebrate this by showing both parts on the big screen—something that will never happen again—and use the film as motivation to celebrate the Cinema.
We will be screening Part 1, then hosting a VIP dinner upstairs, followed by a Q&A with me, Susan, and Jessica Levin, the film’s co-director, and then screening Part 2.
Seeing the film on the big screen with the amazing sound system (this is a music film, first and foremost) will be a very special and emotional event.
How did it feel to serve as executive producer on ‘And So It Goes’?
It was a challenge that was probably the most rewarding of my career. I have been working with Billy for 51 years, so the story is also my story.
To put together this amazing and talented team and see the results of an honest and emotional story of one of our greatest artists was a dream come true.
To see the response has been gratifying and a little surreal. But the best part was working with Susan and Jessica and the Pentimento team.
How did it feel to win a Primetime Emmy for ‘Billy Joel: The 100th—Live at Madison Square Garden‘?
Are you kidding? It was amazing. Being a lighting designer primarily for live events, I never thought I would be recognized in that way.
To have my peers consider me one of the best is the compliment you want after a long and truly fun career.
How does it feel to be a creative director in the digital age?
Creativity is the same. I have to be good at the fundamentals. The tools are more sophisticated, but I have to have an idea, know how to execute it, and be open and curious to all the options out there.
What do your plans for the future include?
I am currently in production and development of two shows (a scripted and a doc series) and have two books that I am developing for a limited series and a film.
I kinda like this second act of mine—it’s storytelling like I’ve always done, but with different tools.
How does it feel to be working with Billy Joel all of these decades?
It never feels like work.
What do you feel is the key to longevity in the entertainment business this long?
Be curious and have a good work ethic. Show up, do the best you can, and pay no attention to the outcomes. I’ve learned I have no control over them.
What does the word “success” mean to you? (My favorite question)
Being asked back. Getting another project because you like what I do.
What would you like to tell our readers about the August 27th event? What’s the one thing you want them to get out of it?
I think this is an important film. The fact that it’s about Billy Joel is key, but it’s really about creativity and how life makes art happen.
I want people to love the music more, discover it again or for the first time, and see—as I see—the immense gift we have in Billy Joel.
For more information on this one-night only Billy Joel documentary screening in Sag Harbor, click here.
To learn more about Steve Cohen, follow him on Instagram.
