I remember when I saw it on Broadway when I was 12, I was already obsessed with the show. When the time came for the Chandelier to crash, I couldn't believe how slow it was going. After the house lights came on, I decided that I would convince myself this was an amazing feat for the world of theatre, even though it was very underwhelming. I wish I had seen it in Boston instead; still kicking myself for not.
Here's a link to the company that built the Vegas chandelier. It has a nice clip of video showing some test runs of a portion of the chandelier.
Fisher Technical Services
Leading Actor Joined: 4/29/06
I believe the NY chandelier falls in 8 seconds. The fastest I've seen personally was in Boston at the Wang (2001?) It does depend on the ceiling in each space. It fell very fast there because the ceiling is so high. I work on the show so I'm kind of desensitized to it, but in Boston I was sitting in the orchestra directly behind the rows it falls over, and I was actually a little scared -- I wasn't expecting it to fall that fast. I was more than a little jealous. Personally I think it's more effective on the way up than on the way down, because the speed is not an issue.
I just try to remind myself that before falling chandeliers were a theatrical cliche, no one had seen a show in which the theatre's chandelier falls over the audience and crashes onto the stage. Then it seems pretty cool. Cool in the way that being a museum curator playing a record on the first gramophone is cool compared to listening to an iPod.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/03
Great explanaition Dover!
I DO think that the standard show is a bit.. well.. worn ad dated.. and the chandelier is nothing impressive. I DO wish I could see the Vegas effect though!
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