THE COMPANY
Who: City Theatrical, Inc.
What: Manufacturers of lighting accessories for the entertainment industry
Where: Carlstadt, New Jersey
When: Founded in 1986
Full-time employees: 35
Number of products in catalog: Over 500 — including WDS Wireless Data System, AutoYoke, Aquafog, EFX Plus2, accessories for Color Kinetics products, LightWright 4, and Projector Dowser, among others.
Braggin’ rights: CTI products are found on nearly every Broadway show and tour, as well as in theatres in London’s West End and throughout Europe and Asia. Recent projects include the Wynn Hotel and Phantom of the Opera in Las Vegas and the Blast II tour of Japan.
Movin’ in addition to shakin’: After 20 years in its South Bronx factory, CTI recently moved to a 40,000 square foot manufacturing facility in the theatrical community of Carlstadt, NJ.
Claim to fame: 27 business or product awards in the last 11 years, including Product of the Year awards at both LDI and PLASA.
People might be surprised to know: On the last Friday of each month, the company has a barbecue lunch, complete with entertainment provided by staff.
DA’ MAN — GARY FAILS
Getting personal: Married to Broadway actress Terri Klausner.
Bank buster: All three of his kids, Greta, Joe and Mike, are all currently in college… as in “at the same time.”
Marathon man: He recently ran two marathons in one month.
I knew I wanted to do this when… “In 1972 I watched a show from backstage in Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre, one of the most beautiful theaters in the world.”
Low point: “My brief career as a rock ‘n’ roll lighting designer.”
High point (so far): “CTI’s large sale of AutoYokes to London’s Royal Opera House.”
Least cool thing about my job: “I’m the guy they call to fix the pump when the loading dock floods.”
Most cool thing about my job: “There is no life more fun than starting and growing a company.”
Our company Christmas party usually involves … “Spanish food.”
If I could go back in time and tell my younger self something, it would be: “Stay in college, go to class, be nice to peo-ple, attitude is everything, don’t be the last one to leave the bar — and get enough sleep.”
If and when I go on vacation, I’m… “Fishing in the Bahamas.”
Motto/Favorite Quote: “Abe Lincoln said, ‘You can have anything you want if you are willing to work hard enough for it.’”
