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More Tributes to Stephen Sondheim

Stephen Sondheim, March 22, 1930 – November 26, 2021. Image courtesy the Broadway League

There are many tributes to the late Stephen Sondheim. Here are two more that Stage Directions has learned of—Broadway theaters will be dimming their lights on December 8, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. EST for one minute. Also, the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts has an exhibit of the many letters and correspondence of Stephen Sondheim as well as set models and photos of his collaborators. Read on for further details on each of these tribute to the iconic composer and lyricist of musical theater.Read More »More Tributes to Stephen Sondheim

In Memoriam: Craig Jacobs, Broadway Stage Manager

NEW YORK – Broadway veteran Craig Jacobs, Production Stage Manager on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera, died Nov. 22. The Majestic Theater, home of the long running production will honor Jacobs’ memory by dimming its marquee on Dec. 6 at 7:25 p.m.

City Theatrical Welcomes Al Crawford as General Manager

NEW YORK – City Theatrical welcomes New York City-based lighting professional Al Crawford to its leadership team as general manager starting on Jan. 1, 2022. “Al has a unique leadership style gained from many years working on tour and in large entertainment projects,” said Gary Fails, president and founder of City Theatrical.

In Memoriam: Stephen Sondheim, Composer and Lyricist at 91

Stephen Sondheim, legendary composer and lyricist, died unexpectedly Nov. 26 at his home in Roxbury, CT at the age of 91. His many honors include nine Tony Awards, a Pulitzer Prize, an Oscar, and eight Grammy Awards. His extensive list of credits include West Side Story, Company, and Sweeney Todd, among numerous others.

Theatre Communications Group Releases 41st Annual Research Report: Theatre Facts 2020

The pageant-ready acting company of School Girls; or, the African Mean Girls Play by Jocelyn Bioh at Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company, Costumes by Jarrod Barnes. Photo by Tyrrell Harrell

Not-for-profit theatres contributed nearly $2.1 billion to the U.S. economy and attracted 23 million attendees, according to Theatre Facts 2020, released by Theatre Communications Group (TCG), in partnership with SMU DataArts. Based on TCG’s Fiscal Survey and SMU DataArts’ Cultural Data Profile (CDP), Theatre Facts is the only in-depth report that examines the attendance, performance, and overall fiscal state of the U.S. professional not-for-profit theatre field.Read More »Theatre Communications Group Releases 41st Annual Research Report: Theatre Facts 2020

In Memoriam: Joseph N. Tawil, Lighting Innovator and Marketer

Stage Directions and PLSN have learned of the death of Joseph N. Tawil on Nov. 17 at age 84. He was an innovator and marketer of theatrical lighting products over his long career. At the time of his retirement, Tawil was the founder and President of Gam Products, Inc., the Los Angeles-based theatrical lighting and special effects company he founded as the Great American Market in 1975. He was a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, a Fellow of the United States Institute of Theatre Technology (USITT), and an associate member of The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC).

World Stage Design to Feature Work of Theatrical Designer Christian Fleming

New York, NY—The committee for World Stage Design (WSD) has selected New York-based scenic and costume designer Christian Fleming to showcase his work at the WSD 2022 exhibition and conference. The WSD is a global event held every four years. Fleming will be among 150 emerging scenic designers hand-selected from among 14 participating countries.Read More »World Stage Design to Feature Work of Theatrical Designer Christian Fleming

Jeff Croiter Creates Connectivity for ‘Freestyle Love Supreme’ on Broadway with Chauvet Professional

New York, NY—At times, theater has a unique way of firing the imagination by blurring boundaries. Such is the case with Freestyle Love Supreme, the exultant, hip-hop laced, improvisational whirl created by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Tommy Kail of Hamilton fame, along with Anthony Veneziale, where performers seem to spring to life right before the audience’s very eyes.Read More »Jeff Croiter Creates Connectivity for ‘Freestyle Love Supreme’ on Broadway with Chauvet Professional

PRG Names Stephan Paridaen CEO

NEW YORK – Production Resource Group, LLC (PRG), a leading provider of production solutions for entertainment and live events, has named Stephan Paridaen as CEO, effective Jan. 3, 2022. Paridaen currently holds the role of president & COO at PRG, leading its operations in EMEA and APAC since 2010. Simultaneously, Jeremiah J. “Jere” Harris will become the company’s executive chairman and chief creative officer.Read More »PRG Names Stephan Paridaen CEO

S*P*A*Minar | Set Decoration: The Forgotten Narrative with Larry Heyman, November 14th

In this Month’s S*P*A*Minar, Larry Heyman, S*P*A*M Member, Assistant Professor in properties design and fabrication and a Lecturer in the design program at Oklahoma City University (OCU) School of Theatre and Set Decorator will lead a conversation about the challenges presented by set dressing, set decoration, and design. He’ll examine the concept that set decoration and dressing is an extension of the narrative created by the director and set designer. Participants will discuss issues and concerns facing the modern properties director as they embark on “painting” the details of the set from an artistic and storytelling perspective. S*P*A*Minars are put on by the Society of Properties Artisan Managers (S*P*A*M). Read More »S*P*A*Minar | Set Decoration: The Forgotten Narrative with Larry Heyman, November 14th