Lighting designer Peter Morse has had a long history with the Divine Miss M, Bette Midler, supporting tours since the Experience The Divine world tour (1993-1994). Subsequent tours and shows have included the Return of the Divine world tour (1996-1997), the Emmy Award-winning Diva Las Vegas HBO Special (1997), the Kiss My Brass tour (2004-2005), The Showgirl Must Go On (at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, 2008-2010, which was also taped for a special that debuted on HBO on NYE 2011). The current Divine Intervention tour kicked off May 8, 2015 in Hollywood, FL and toured North America through the end of June. The production has since shifted to the U.K. for five more shows this month.
We got to speak to Morse while he was in the process of shifting gears from the Divine Miss M to yet another tour, this one featuring Derek and Julianne Hough of the TV show Dancing With The Stars in a live-show format called Move Live On Tour. It kicked off May 28 and runs until July 26.
For the Divine Intervention 2015 tour, Morse noted, Bette Midler favors the theatrical environment versus the “concert” format for her tours. In fact, in preparation for this particular tour, Michael Cotten, the set designer, showed her photos of two tours that he and Morse had recently worked on (Carrie Underwood’s Blown Away tour and Shania Twain’s Still The One shows in Las Vegas).
Bette’s reply: “That’s not me,” Morse notes, adding that she loves traditional theater and feels more comfortable within that environment. So the stage was designed with projection surfaces that include a custom proscenium arch along with legs, borders, and sliding projection panels. In addition, independent electrics, tormentors and an upstage cyc are in the mix.
The actual concept for the tour developed from Midler’s desire for numerous scenes within which she would perform. These scenes were then created with video content.
The final decision was made to steer away from LED panels and go, instead, to front projection. This was accomplished with front-of-house projectors that are focused on the custom (and inflatable) proscenium arch and the various sliding panels and props that move on and off stage.
Additionally, the upstage projection surface—similar to a traditional Cyc— takes images from onstage projectors that hang from the overhead scenic trussing and electrics. Solotech provides the video gear and projectors for the tour.
Peter Morse
Lighting Designer
“I’ve really been blessed to have had the opportunity to work with Bette over the last 22 years. I am particularly blessed to have her friendship and trust in designing for her. The video for this show was created by Olivier Goulet and Geodezic Design. His work on this show, as with Bette’s earlier shows, is quite beautiful. As with any show that contains projection, the lighting must be treated as a “surgical” application. Especially in this case, where the set and all the various projection surfaces are white, and the close proximity between lighting sources and scenic flats is a constant factor. I had to avoid any spill that might wash out any of the intricate images.
“During band and preliminary dance rehearsals in L.A., I had about 10 days allotted for previz work for the show. This was done with Scott Chmielewski, who did the major programming for the tour. Once we loaded in for full tech rehearsals with the actual set and lighting, we were able to confront the physical challenges of the set and props ‘versus’ projection and lighting (not to mention the challenge of lighting ‘versus’ projection!), we were able to approach an actual flow. Lighting director Michael Keller got involved once we had full set and lights.”
“Bette is an absolute perfectionist. Thus, no two shows are ever totally the same. Rehearsals are literally time blocks for changes in the flow of the show. Her energy is infectious, and her performance is brilliance personified. Every sound check is a bit of an adventure, as she is constantly fine-tuning all of the elements that surround her. Each and every show day is a bit of an adventure, as we never quite know what will change. One thing that never changes is the energy of her performance, and we all feel the dedication she gives and support her fully.
“Besides the usual assortment of wash and hard edge fixtures, I definitely needed spot fixtures with shutters in many of the locations that were close to projection surfaces. For that application, we ended up with Vari*Lite VL3500 Spots. The balance of the system is VL3000 Spots, VL3500 Washes, Martin MAC Viper AirFX fixtures, Robe Pointes, Clay Paky B-Eyes, Solaris Flares and [Philips Color Kinetics] Color Blaze TRX 72s.
“A show is never a show without the crew that puts it all together, so I must mention [production manager] Malcolm Weldon, whose knowledge, calm demeanor and patience have been a major help. Also, [production coordinator] Derek Wilson, who is meticulous and takes amazing care of the production family. And also Ian Tucker and his PRG crew — simply the best. They have displayed endless energy and patience throughout the process of building this tour. And of course [the tour owes a lot to] lighting director Michael Keller and programmer Scott Chmielewski.”
Bette Midler Divine Intervention 2015 Tour
Crew
Lighting Designer: Peter Morse
Lighting Director: Michael Keller
Programmer: Scott Chmielewski
Lighting Co: PRG
Lighting Crew Chief: Ian Tucker
Lighting Techs: Leonardo Baca, Samuel Mogan, Ryan Dunn
Video Co: Solotech
Video Director: David Boisvert
Video Engineer: Patrick Vaillancourt
Video Server Tech: Louis-Philippe Gaudreau
Video Tech/Projectionist/Camera Op: Nicholas Weldon
Video Tech/Projectionist/Camera Op: Sebastien Cousineau
Video Tech/ Camera Op: Barrie Roney
Set Designer: Michael Cotten
Video Content: Olivier Goulet & Geodezic Design
Production/Stage Manager: Malcolm Weldon
Production Supervisor: Seanne Farmer
Road Manager: Mindi Pelletier
Stage Manager: Rachel Sterner
Assistant Stage Manager: Greg Bogart
Production Coordinator: Derek Wilson
Trucking Co: Stage Call
Riggers: Gabriel Wood (Head), Charles Anderson
Carpenters: Gilbert Castilleja Jr. (Head), Greg Bogart, Russell Macias, Emerson Shewmake, Eric Duheany
Gear
1 grandMA2 console
42 Vari*Lite VL3500 Spots
16 Vari*Lite VL3000 Spots
30 Martin MAC Viper AirFX
6 Clay Paky A.leda B-EYEs
6 Robe Pointes
4 PRG Bad Boys (for spots)
11 TMB Solaris LED Flares
2 DF-50 Diffusion hazers
For more Bette Midler tour photos by Steve Jennings, go to http://plsn.me/plsn-Bette-2015
