Best sets on broadway

[A_Boy_From_Oz]

Posted: 1/21/04 at 1:04pm

Which broadway show past or present do you think has the best sets? I haven't seen a ton of broadway shows, but of those I've seen I would have to vote for Aida or Phantom.

[Karma76]

Posted: 1/21/04 at 1:32pm

I was wowed by Tommy's set when i saw that. They had a lot of cool things going on.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 1/21/04 at 1:43pm

My personal favorite was "An Inspector Calls". The set and lighting were jaw-dropping. Second would be Les Mis. The show was so far ahead of its time when it opened. The London set for Starlight Express was pretty impressive as well.

[bwaylyric]

Posted: 1/21/04 at 1:56pm

bad show, but oh, what a set: Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Kudos also to Bob Crowley's Aida and Capeman. Can't wait to see his Tarzan jungle.

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 1/21/04 at 2:08pm

Laugh if you must, but I think "Cats" had a great set.

I also like the set for the current revival of "Gypsy." It's very different, and it works for the story.

[ckeaton]

Posted: 1/21/04 at 2:13pm

David Gallo's work has always impressed me...

http://www.davidgallo.com

And he's done work at my theatre, so I've had the joy of watching his whole process from start to finish.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 1/21/04 at 2:36pm

I loved the Tom Sawyer sets! How about Sunset Blvd.? Also like Aida,Cats, B&TB, Wicked, DOVT and Scarlet Pimpernel. Oh, I'm sure I'm forgetting a bunch... SETS that is!

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 1/21/04 at 2:46pm

Jekyll and Hyde had a good set also.

[NativeNewYorker]

Posted: 1/21/04 at 2:53pm

La Boheme was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. I'm still upst that show closed so soon...would have loved to have seen it a couple more times.

Also: Aida, Phantom, and, The Fantasticks...because it showed that you can have a beautiful show without anything elaborate.

[logan30]

Posted: 1/21/04 at 2:55pm

THE SECRET GARDEN had an unforgettable set. BIG RIVER (the original production in the 1980s) had jaw-dropping sets and lighting. I'll never forget that revolving redwood forest in REDWOOD CURTAIN. For pure chutzpah, CITY OF ANGELS with its black & white and color set. Current shows: WICKED is grand but then Eugene Lee can do no wrong. And THE LION KING needs no explanation.

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 1/21/04 at 3:11pm

I liked the set for the revival of Into the Woods.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 1/21/04 at 3:17pm

Aida, CATS, Wicked...think of more later.

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 1/21/04 at 3:43pm

The ones that come into my mind are Phantom, Crazy for You, Miss Saigon, Aida and Beauty & The Beast. And although I absolutely LOVE the show, I have to say that the worst set ever has to be Mamma Mia. I mean, come on people, two revolving walls ? :)

Take care

[Crazy4MattMorrison52]

Posted: 1/21/04 at 3:44pm

hairspray..there so bright

[aces25]

Posted: 1/21/04 at 3:47pm

What's Aida's set like?

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 1/21/04 at 3:50pm

All the disney musicals have awesome sets. i also liked Nine (revival) because of the cool water scene and the staircase.

[WillParker]

Posted: 1/21/04 at 3:55pm

how does the set for the B'way AIDA differ from the sets for the tour? Many people on this thread have said that Aida's set's are great but i was left hugely underwhelmed by the tour's set.

[poodleboy]

Posted: 1/21/04 at 3:56pm

John Lee Beatty's set for "Dinner at Eight" at Lincoln Center Theater was pretty wonderful.

I loved the OB set for "Sunday in the Park with George".

A show call "Time" in London (maybe 10 years ago) had great special effect/set going on.

[BrdwyThtr]

Posted: 1/21/04 at 4:10pm

Wicked, Cats, Sunset Blvd.

[Elphie]

Posted: 1/21/04 at 4:12pm

Aida and Les Miz are the top two that come to mind. Oh and i love the plant from LSOH!

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 1/21/04 at 4:13pm

the aida sets are ALMOST like the broadway ones. in the My Strongest Suit scene the set is a backdrop not 3-d like broadway!

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 1/21/04 at 4:54pm

I'm surprised to see Aida listed so many times. I didn't find the sets to be all that interesting. The tour was almost identitical with just a few cutbacks.

Other sets I enjoyed:

Jane Eyre (perfectly captured the "memory" effect)
Falsettos (great use of minimal design)
Proposals (did anyone else see this?)
Phantom of the Opera (hated the show, but it sure looked pretty)
The Scarlet Pimpernal (Loved the Fragonard-inspired backdrops)
City of Angels (black and white/color and "framing" devices)
Return to the Forbidden Planet (2001 UK Revival)
Cloudstreet (Royal National Theatre - How did this play NOT transfer to the Lincoln Center???)
Urinetown (again, excellent use of minimal design)
Sunset Boulevard
Cats
De La Guarda (not really sets, but excellent use of space)

I've seen many shows with pretty sets, but the above (and formentioned) actually stood out in my mind upon viewing.

[Hank]

Posted: 1/21/04 at 4:58pm

Over the last 3 years:
Urinetown
Hairspray
Wicked

[Benzy92]

Posted: 1/21/04 at 5:11pm

TOM SAWYER.. count me as the only person who loved every moment of that show.

[JakeB]

Posted: 1/21/04 at 5:17pm

I do love CATS because it's so detailed and perfect for the production.

But really I love MISS SAIGON's because it's like 'set, set, set, set, set' all the time. I love shows where you can see your buck on stage.