Best Set You've Ever Seen?- Page 2

Posted: 11/24/05 at 10:47pm

Wicked
Hairspray
Lion King
Brooklyn
All Shook Up

[dry2olives]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 10:59pm

Robin Wagner's design for the original On The 20th Century. Not only was that train of stunning art deco beauty, but Harold Prince utilized it in a way where the movement of the train was always a part of the action, without the set overwhelming the material. The train was a character.

[musicalsaregreat]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 11:06pm

Sunset would be my number one, but I also have to mention that the best part of Dance of the Vampires was the gorgeous sets.

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 11:18pm

am i the only one who doesn't much care for the wicked set?
theres specific pieces i like (munchkinland, the oz head) but the bulk of its kinda bland

[Pgenre]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 11:20pm

DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES

Nothing tops that hydraulic staircase lowering from the ceiling to a 45 degree angle complete with a dozen coffins. PLUS, that drawbridge at the end of act 1. And who can forget the levitating coffin for Crawford's entrance? Pure theatrical magic. And never have I experienced anything like that earthquake effect where the entire theatre literally vibrated and shook... I expected to see pieces of the ceiling fall!

SUNSET's was easily the most detailed and aesthetically appealing. It was unneccessary to have it raise and lower to reveal Artie's apartment underneath for no apparent reason though.

A Good Nightmare Comes So Rarely,
P genre

[jimmirae]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 1:09am

(SUNSET's was easily the most detailed and aesthetically appealing. It was unneccessary to have it raise and lower to reveal Artie's apartment underneath for no apparent reason though.)

Dear Pgenre,
The APPARENT reason was for a late50/60's film "split level" look, where the film viewer watched 2 scenarios going on at once, a then new used technique which would only have grieved Norma Desmond all the more, She was all about ONE Look , NOT TWO, and, NO SOUND. I believe that was the reason for that and it worked quite well for me. However, The BEST set is a tie, between "Whistle down the Wind" (London) and a tour way back in 1975 or 76 of "Promises, Promises" that starred Orson Bean, Nothing earth shattering but the set was done perfectly, moved well and is still fondly remembered after all that time. I must give a special mention to "Annie" (the original) and the way that set/lighting was just wonderful and also moved very well, flowing with the show and "NYC" was just spectacular as was that beautiful Christmas Tree at the end. Here's to even greater sets in the future and an art not being lost to IMAX and XBOX effects. (No diss to TWIW, If it is needed for a certain show, so be it, but not as a "Trend" to save on other ways to come up with settings, that's all.)

[theatahguy]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 2:10am

As far as "realistic" sets, the revival of Frankie & Johnny, Proof (it was the little details on this one that did it for me--like the dead leaves, for instance), & tho I've only seen pictures, the revival of Seascape. I showed those pics to my friend and her response was "Who's vacation pictures are these?" From the photos it looks pretty incredible.

However, the one set that made me go "Oh my God, how ingenious!!" was the revival of Big River. I loved that the pages & illustrations from the book were the set and that sections of the floor or walls could be pulled up or opened to indicate a new location, etc. So simplistic but in my mind, very effective & creative.

[goodygalinda]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 2:21am

I HATE LIVING IN CALIFORNIA!!! do you have any idea how difficult and expensive it is to see a decent show out here, not only do you have to send half your college fund on your ticket, you have to spend the other half on gas. but of what I have seen on tour I have to say Les Mis was amazing, serious props to their techies, the scene changes were flawless.

[Radioactiveduck]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 3:04am

The most incredible set I've ever seen was from a highschool production of DAIRY OF ANNE FRANK. It had many different levels, and the sheer imagination that went into the design was astounding.

PS - goodygalinda, I hear ya Updated On: 11/25/05 at 03:04 AM

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 3:23am

how'd they make the theater shake in DoV? Bet that was hella expensive.

[jimmirae]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 3:37am

Well the Minskoff sure didn't shake when I saw "Dance of the Vampires" and - I really loved the show, It wasn't great, It would never win a Tony, But it was fun, But even Michael Crawford's Coffin entrance was sooooo cheesy!!! You couldn't see the piece holding it up ??? Either you need glasses or tickets to something with a really GOOD set that thrills you?? I dont know, and I'm not trying to be pissy to you either, But if that set thrilled you - You are in for such JOY in your life because you are going to see such exciting sets!! even Michael Crawford's make up was cheesy, he was FAT and had them black out his neck like it wasn't there, LOL! Now, If his face is includied it was surely a FUNNY set, but great, no. I really envy you - if you thought that was great, you just wait, You are in for a truly charmed life, and I mean that sincerely!

[BroadwayRandy0711]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 4:04am

Wicked
LSOH
Les Miz
RENT
I thought that Ave. Q was clever/practical.

[MusicAndPassion]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 8:30am

Lion King
Chitty
Wicked

[Candleshoe2]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 8:34am

"Dance of the Vampires" Set Photos
http://www.davidgallo.com/DGA_WEB_PAGES/theater/dga_dotv.htm

[Sant]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 9:09am

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. The title number is simply the best staged scene which I've ever seen. The whole set is very effective and imaginative.

THE KING AND I revival.

SHOW BOAT revival.

CATS

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 9:15am

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=83874

Here's an old thread from two years ago that got some very good responses to this question.

[lildogs]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 9:32am

The PRIVATE LIVES revival--Actually got an "oooo" out of the audience
I AM MY OWN WIFE-I had no idea there would be so much to see, all of it meaningful
The Seattle Rep's set for SEVEN GUITARS, complete with real plants and running water

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 9:42am

SWEENEY TODD-original production and current revival
SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE
TALLEY'S FOLLY
AN INSPECTOR CALLS
NINE-original and revival
SEASCAPE-current revival
LES MISERABLES
INTO THE WOODS -original
PRIVATE LIVES-2002 revival
THE PILLOWMAN
ANYTHING GOES-1987 revival with Patti
THE WILD PARTY (LaChiusa)
ASSASSINS-2004 revival

...Just to name a few...

[trpguyy]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 10:39am

I also have to mention Dracula. As bad as the show was, the sets and special effects were pretty impressive.

Does anyone know where I can see pictures of The Odd Couple set? There's no way I'll ever get a ticket to see the show, and I'd really like to see how the "celing" works. Is there really no lighting from the mid and upstage positions?

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 10:50am

Not the best photo, but you can still see how impressive the set was for "An Inspector Calls." The rain on stage... the wonderfully skewed house...

A brilliant design.

[sweeneytodd2]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 10:50am

Where are the Seascape photos?

[DBillyP]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 11:01am

The recent revival of DINNER AT EIGHT ... they should have won the Tony ...

[amperage]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 11:42am

I just saw the current revival of Sweeney. I thought the experience was nothing short of transcendent.

[billy elliot]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 11:47am

Best show ever seen?
Well in reverse:

5-WICKED
4-WEST SIDE STORY
3-BLOOD BROTHERS

=1-LES MISERABLES & BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL

Steve

[billy elliot]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 11:49am

OPPS!! Didn't read the title properly!!!
Best set then would have to be WICKED with LES MIS and PHANTOM just behind.

Steve