I really don't get Eugene Lee - Sweeney Todd and Wicked look like two sides of the same contrived industrial vomit pile to me. The scale is nice but otherwise eugh...
Even though Eugene Lee's designs tend to have the same theme, he's the go-to designer when one wants their show to have a very realistic, textured setting. His designs always feature large, wooden frames and steel beams. I read somewhere that they're directly inspired by his surroundings as a kid growing up near a river.
As much as I prefer something more creative and less straight forward, I've enjoyed the texture and overall feel of Eugene's designs. Let's not forget he also did the designs for the Hal Prince Showboat revival and the original production of Ragtime, both of which were breath-taking.
I liked his designs for Wicked, although I also didn't get the clock thing.
Recreation of original John Cameron orchestration to "On My Own" by yours truly. Click player below to hear.
I was always partial to Oliver Smith's original designs for HELLO, DOLLY! and I was happy to see them once again this week when the Gateway Playhouse performed the show. (The costumes were "inspired" by Freddy Wittop's originals, too!)
I just saw Gruesome Playground Injuries. Still figuring our what I think about the show, but I really liked the set design. It's simple with clean lines, and there's an interesting audience incorporation element. Also loved the water surrounding the stage. Wish I had a picture for you.
I thought the audience-on-stage thing in that play was a bit of a gimmick. There was no reason to have onstage seating for the audience. But the play was good and I look forward to Rajiv Joseph's upcoming work. Would I say the set was one of my favorites, though? Not especially.
I love simple but functional designs particularly next to normal. The use of the lights and panels is genius. I also agree with the Ragtime Revival, In the heights, and RENT.
For those who thought NEXT TO NORMAL wouldn't have a life outside Broadway, well it's now playing in 4 cities, 9 different countries and has been translated into 6 languages.
Ragtime (revival) next to normal In the Heights A Little Night Music (Menier) Sunday in the Park with George (Original and Menier) South Pacific (revival) Les Misérables (25th Anniversary Tour)
I go back and forth with Eugene Lee but am I the only one who prefered the original--perhaps overly complex, granted--design for Ragtime he did, to the revivals minimalism? The show definitely can work both ways, but I just found something missing.
Those pics of the Tom Sawyer set are beautiful, but in the theatre they gave a very odd impression- with all that blond wood and new Danish architecture - the musical looked like it was set in scandanavia. The whole thing felt very IKEA which of course isnt quite what Mark Twain was going for....
The Guardian recently ran an article on the 10 Best Set Designs in the UK, starting with a 1912 Hamlet, via Brooks' Dream, An Inspector Calls, Sunday in the Park with George and Punchdrunk's Faust.
The original Australian production of Jesus Christ Superstar in the 70's - was simply amazing and changed my life. Loved Les Miz London Into The Woods (Richard Hudson version) was great King And I revival with Donna Murphy was beautiful Grand Hotel
The original Australian production of Jesus Christ Superstar in the 70's - was simply amazing and changed my life. Loved Les Miz London Into The Woods (Richard Hudson version) was great King And I revival with Donna Murphy was beautiful Grand Hotel