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Bidding Adieu to ‘Phantom’ on Broadway

For LD Andrew Bridge, the final April 16 production of Broadway’s “The Phantom of the Opera” after a 35-year run was particularly poignant. “The opulence and the way it is choreographed on stage, the scene changes and all that, we will miss that. There aren’t many shows that can do that now. We have something like 150 people working each performance. You can’t do Broadway shows today with that size crew, cast and a 27-piece orchestra, it’s just not viable. So, I think we’ll all miss the opulence of that kind of Broadway show.”

Streaming The Last Rockstars at the Hollywood Palladium

The Last Rockstars, a Japanese supergroup, played sold-out dates in Tokyo, New York City, and Los Angeles. We speak with Lighting Designer Peter Morse about his rocking design that showcased the band in the best light, and with Video Director Kevin Garcia about capturing and livestreaming the Hollywood Palladium show globally, including to 100 movie theaters in Japan.

Willa Kim Scholarship & Exhibition; News from Perdue and USITT

The Theatre Communications Group (TCG) has announced the recipients of 2023 The Willa Kim Costume Design Scholarship, honoring costume designer Willa Kim’s legacy and her life’s work as a pioneer, legend, and inspiration for many of today’s theater artists. Kim’s iconic work in ballet, theater, opera, and television is also the subject of a career spanning retrospective at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts as noted in this month’s theater news, along with a new online course in Structures for the Stage from Purdue University. We also look at USITT’s Gateway Program and USITT’s 2023 Joel E. Rubin Founders Award honoree, Elynmarie Kazle.

Bringing Down the Chandelier on Broadway’s ‘The Phantom of the Opera’

Broadway’s longest running show in history, The Phantom of the Opera, takes its final bows and will go dark, closing in mid-April. PLSN speaks with some of the creative and production team who have been with the show since the beginning 35 years ago. Sharing their thoughts are Lighting Designer Andrew Bridge, Associate LD Vivien Leone, Head Electrician Alan Lampel. We also talk with Gary Fails about the fog system, which is integral to the overall impact of the show.

Vari-Lite VL5LED Dazzles with Color and Effects at the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards

NFL legend Joe Thomas stepped out to lead the Greater Cleveland Sport Awards recently, staged to honor athletic achievement in Ohio. The ceremony took place at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse arena in front of a live audience and was filmed for streaming. Lighting Director Derek Hons, from NPiAV, specified Vari-Lite VL5LED, and VL2600 Series luminaires from Signify to fill the cavernous space with colorful washes, key light and effects.Read More »Vari-Lite VL5LED Dazzles with Color and Effects at the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards

City Theatrical Preview for First Cine Gear New York Expo 2023

City Theatrical will be demonstrating new technology for the film and video industry at Table 236 at the first ever Cine Gear New York Expo at Industry City in Brooklyn, New York from March 10 – 11, 2023. One lucky City Theatrical visitor at the show will be selected at random to receive a free DMXcat® Multi Function Test Tool, which is a troubleshooting tool designed for use by lighting professionals involved with the planning, installation, operation, or maintenance of studio lighting equipment.Read More »City Theatrical Preview for First Cine Gear New York Expo 2023

‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’ Rings in 2023 with Help from Martin Lighting Solutions

‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’ with Ryan Seacrest 2023 at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images)

 

To ensure enchanting and dynamic visuals for the 2023 broadcast of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, Lighting Designer Lee Rose, with supplier PRG, selected and deployed a comprehensive range of Martin lighting solutions.Read More »‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’ Rings in 2023 with Help from Martin Lighting Solutions