From Todd Williams, Production Manager:
September was a busy month with the opening of Radio Golf and rehearsals for Mauritius. Our opening night festivities for Radio Golf were held in the scene shop and paint shop, which were completely transformed from busy work spaces to a dramatic party space, complete with beautiful lighting, and costumes and props from past shows on display. The shops looked absolutely fantastic and were enjoyed by all. Thanks to all of the staff that worked so hard to make it happen.
Production Departments Heads (Dan, Kris, Roberto, Nancy, Brian, Ben and Kat) also gave tours on our annual subscriber reception on Sept 19th, and enjoyed the enthusiasm and interest from both our new and long time loyal subscribers.
I’ve wrapped up some of the lingering details on Radio Golf as we now work to get it ready to travel again in mid October. Next stop is Chicago’s Goodman Theatre in January and then to the McCarter in New Jersey come March. Both companies are sending staff here to see the show, and to take a look at the set… and here’s another shout out to the folks at Seattle Rep who have done such great work from getting all of the props, costumes and set dressing from the Yale Rep and Center Theatre Group and then built David Gallo’s beautiful set. I’d better not forget Centerstage who also had a great run of this production. While we often prefer doing our own thing from start to finish it has been very satisfying to be part of this final August Wilson production and to work with so many of our colleagues across the country.
We have loaded in Eugene Lee’s gritty Mauritius set at the Wimberly Theatre and getting the motors rigged and programmed for the scene changes. The cluttered stamp shop continues to fill with philately paraphernalia, keeping our props staff, Kris Holmes and Brandon Ribordy, VERY busy. Our Technical Director, Dan Ramirez, is heading to Broadway to help install our set for the Broadway Run of Butley.
The scenery for Rabbit Hole is coming along well…. Jim Noone’s homey scenic design features a living room, bedroom, and kitchen surrounded by the skeletal form of the house’s exterior. We’re trying out a new computer system to run the automation, the techies among you can check it out here. And we’re hoping super retailer IKEA is going to sign on as a production sponsor and come through for us with a kitchen full of cabinets and stainless steel appliances. The design team for The Cherry Orchard is beginning to find the shape of the show and we’re hoping for prelim scenic designs from legendary Ralph Funicello any day now. This season holds great promise for some outstanding design from some of the nations top theatre artists.
Enough for today… I’m giving myself a headache thinking about it all. I promise to post some sneak peek photos in future entries. (Photo above: Radio Golf set design by David Gallo.)
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