Visionary Scenic Designer Robin Wagner’s Passing Honored
On June 17, 2023, the Committee of Theatre Owners dimmed the lights of Broadway theaters in New York for one minute at exactly 7:45pm, to honor the memory of Scenic Designer Robin Wagner. The triple Tony Award® winning scenic designer worked on 63 Broadway shows in a career that spanned over five decades. Wagner passed away on May 29, 2023, at the age of 89.
“Generations of theatergoers can fondly look back and think of certain productions and along with poignant storylines and exquisite performances, they can recall the beautiful grand sets and intricate details of the stage all thanks to the creative genius of Robin Wagner,” said Charlotte St. Martin, President of The Broadway League. “His keen eye for design and innovation was responsible for some of Broadway’s most memorable sets—from On the Twentieth Century and City of Angels to The Producers—and we wish to pay tribute to his legacy on Broadway by dimming the lights in his honor.”
Wagner made his Broadway debut in 1961 as assistant to Ben Edwards working on the production of Big Fish, Little Fish. He rose to prominence in 1968 when he became the scenic designer for the original production of the rock musical, Hair. The show’s stark minimal look would go on to influence theatre design at the time. His sets could range from uniquely sparse to extravagant. The visionary designer was renowned for large-scale set and a pioneer of automated scenery that has now become standard in American theater. His design for the 1968 production of Promises, Promises was a watershed for a totally automated show on Broadway.
Having created several icon scenic moments including a train coming toward the audience for On the Twentieth Century or the Shubert Theatre facade onstage in The Producers, it was A Chorus Line’s empty stage with just a white tape line on the floor that was Wagner’s favorite design. “Because it was simple,” he noted. “The type of simple that took two years’ work, and Michael [Bennett] and I constantly distilling the elements. Finally, we realized we could do the whole show with nothing but a line on the floor. That was the real beginning. We knew we just needed a black box to represent the theater, and mirrors to represent the dance studio.”
Wagner was nominated for 10 Tony Awards, winning three for the productions of: On the Twentieth Century (1978); City of Angels (1990); and The Producers (2001). He worked on a total of 63 Broadway productions as well as numerous touring productions. His designs included the original Broadway productions of Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, Mack & Mabel, A Chorus Line, 42nd Street, Dreamgirls, Chess, Crazy For You, Jelly’s Last Jam, Angels in America, Victor/Victoria, Side Show, The Producers, and The Boy From Oz, among many others. Wagner also designed shows Off-Broadway, on the West End, in regional theaters, as well as ballets and operas all over the globe, and even rock concerts, including a tour with The Rolling Stones in 1975. The New York Public Library’s Library for the Performing Arts acquired Wagner’s archives earlier this year featuring all of his sketches, paint elevations, and technical drawings for the sets he created throughout his career. The collection will be made available to the public at the Billy Rose Theatre Division at the Library for the Performing Arts once it is processed.
In an interview with Stage Directions magazine, Wagner said, “One of the great things about being in this business, and especially being a scenic designer, is that sense of feeling reborn with every show. Each has new characters, new stories, new environments—and, most of all, new opportunities to help bring a piece of theater to life. And then there are the people you collaborate with who become not only friends but part of your family, part of your legacy.” He continued, “I enjoyed the freedom I was given designing ballet and opera, but its theater that had the magic, especially musical comedy. It’s what I liked most; what I related to.”
Author and theater educator Arnold Aronson wrote, “Wagner never formulated an approach or sense of the right way to design. He took risks and tried almost anything. He approached his work asking, ‘How do I do something that makes the hair rise on the back of audiences’ necks?’ He constantly challenged his imagination.”
SMA Announces Del Hughes Awards
The Stage Managers’ Association (SMA) has announced its annual Del Hughes Awards for Lifetime Achievement in the Art of Stage Management. The distinguished 2023 honorees are theatrical production stage managers John M. Atherlay and Gwen Gilliam, and opera production stage manager Brett Finley. In addition to these Lifetime Achievement Awards, the SMA will honor Elynmarie Kazle with The Founders Award. This year’s Special Recognition Awards will celebrate honorees who are steadfast advocates and lift-up the stage management industry past, present, and future. Robert J. Bruyr laid the foundation at Actors’ Equity and fought for stage management recognition for decades. The organization Broadway & Beyond: Access for Stage Managers of Color, founded by Lisa Dawn Cave, Beverly Jenkins, Jimmie Lee Smith, and Kenneth J. McGee, has been created to ensure that the door stays open for all.
The Del Hughes honor is awarded to those who represent the finest qualities and artistic achievement in stage management throughout their lifelong career. Instituted in 1986, the award was named for Del Hughes, who had an illustrious career as a Broadway and television stage manager as well as a TV director from 1933 to the 1970s. Honorees are chosen each year from nominations submitted by industry members. The SMA thanks Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids for their leading sponsorship of The Del Hughes Awards Event, which will take place on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, with event details to be announced.
Celebrating its 41st anniversary year, the Stage Managers’ Association is a pivotal resource for stage managers nationwide in all areas of live performance. The SMA is the only national professional organization for working stage managers across the United States. Their mission is to recognize, advocate for, and provide continuing education and networking opportunities, creating community for stage managers across the USA and connecting them with the world through their International Cohort. SMA members include Broadway, Off Broadway, Corporate, Regional, Dance, and Opera stage managers as well as students and those just beginning their careers. Learn more about the Stage Managers’ Association at www.stagemanagers.org.
