The Single Most Awesome Set Piece

#1

The Single Most Awesome Set Piece

Posted: 6/21/06 at 3:27am

What would you all say is the single most awesome, innovative, unique, brilliant, workable, engaging, definitive set piece you've ever seen in a Broadway show? I ask for a single piece, so don't go saying, "OMG I love the scene in ____ with all the ___s and ___s."

I ask because set design has always been an interest of mine, and I've never thought to ask this before.

I would either say the little TV platform in Hairspray (it's just so dang cool to me) or the elevator in Thoroughly Modern Millie. To have captions come up was just a brilliant idea, in my opinion. :)

#2

re: The Single Most Awesome Set Piece

Posted: 6/21/06 at 3:30am

All of the Light in the piazza

#3

re: The Single Most Awesome Set Piece

Posted: 6/21/06 at 3:31am

dont know if it counts but i thought it was cool when the girl swam in the pool in Aida

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Updated On: 6/21/06 at 03:31 AM

#4

re: The Single Most Awesome Set Piece

Posted: 6/21/06 at 3:38am

As a Prop Girl, I tend to lean more towards the cool props that are used but as far as set pieces... I would have to go with
-Phantom of the Opera - the gargoile where no one expects him to appear! (Hope I didn't spoil it for the 3 people who have yet to see the show).

I like when things like that happen though. Not like in Cats when they are right in your face, but when they are close enough but still far enough away that you are not ready to swing at the actors.

#5

re: The Single Most Awesome Set Piece

Posted: 6/21/06 at 4:10am

I love the set piece used in DRS during Great Big Stuff its got a nice design its differnt, vercetile and awsome in so many ways plus gives freddys line "omg the whole thing turns"

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#6

re: The Single Most Awesome Set Piece

Posted: 6/21/06 at 4:32am

The entire one-piece rotation set in RABBIT HOLE.

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#7

re: The Single Most Awesome Set Piece

Posted: 6/21/06 at 5:07am

I loved Lestat's house and the church, in LESTAT. I don't know if it was any different in NYC, but the San Francisco designs were great.

#8

re: The Single Most Awesome Set Piece

Posted: 6/21/06 at 6:19am

The house in 'Mary Poppins' it's amazing how it all opens outand how the attic comes away and is swung down so you can see the children's bderoom and the same with the kitchen, how the house appears to move 'up' as if you are going down into the basement! very clever!

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#9

re: The Single Most Awesome Set Piece

Posted: 6/21/06 at 7:47am

This is going to sound really stupid, because it's not actually that exciting, but I LOVED the attic ceiling/wall they used in Little Women. I thought it looked amazingly perfect. And it actually took me a while to figure out that it actually probably wasn't slanted backward because that would take up slightly too much room.

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#10

re: The Single Most Awesome Set Piece

Posted: 6/21/06 at 7:54am

The Mansion in Sunset Blvd (Broadway....NOT the tour with Petula Clark)

#11

re: The Single Most Awesome Set Piece

Posted: 6/21/06 at 7:58am

I loved the larger than life set for "Gem of the ocean" I thought it was awesome.

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#12

re: The Single Most Awesome Set Piece

Posted: 6/21/06 at 8:04am

The cube used in the original staging of SWEENEY TODD was revolutionary. (Thanks, Eugene Lee. You're a genius.)

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Itty Bitty Geisha? Toyland? Gypsy Pasadoble? Just a few popular favorites...

#13

re: The Single Most Awesome Set Piece

Posted: 6/21/06 at 8:06am

NINE revival set.

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#14

re: The Single Most Awesome Set Piece

Posted: 6/21/06 at 8:08am

as simple as it is, the cloth in AIDA that starts out as the river bank, then turns into a market tent, then into radames's tent, just by falling in a certain way.

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/27199361@N08/ Phantom at the Royal Empire Theatre

#15

re: The Single Most Awesome Set Piece

Posted: 6/21/06 at 8:27am

The mentions of AIDA are all on my list as well. Gorgeous and inventive.

LOVED the helicopter in MISS SAIGON.

LES MIZ and it's turtable is pretty awesome as well.

DRS has a great set, too.

PHANTOMs chandelier and drapes are VERY impressive

Both productions of INTO THE WOODS were awe-inspiring.

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Updated On: 6/21/06 at 08:27 AM

#16

re: The Single Most Awesome Set Piece

Posted: 6/21/06 at 8:46am

Despite all the lavish productions I've seen on Broadway, the first things that came to mind were shows at the Papermill Playhouse in Millburn, NJ. In particular, several years ago their production of 'My Fair Lady' was spectacular. When Henry and Liza left for the ball, the entire library set split and reversed, to reveal the ballroom.

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#17

re: The Single Most Awesome Set Piece

Posted: 6/21/06 at 8:55am

I second the mansion from Sunset Boulevard. It was actually a "shell" that fit over the other sets. Also, I loved when they lifted it and created two scenes at once like a split screen. Absolutely thrilling. Nothing has rivaled the sight of that.

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#18

re: The Single Most Awesome Set Piece

Posted: 6/21/06 at 9:03am

The huge prison set from the Brian Stokes Mitchell production of Man of La Mancha was awe-inspiring.

I also loved the outdoors set for Fiddler on the Roof. At times, I almost forgot I was in a theatre.

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#19

re: The Single Most Awesome Set Piece

Posted: 6/21/06 at 9:09am

More lighting effect, but the spidersweb in the orignal production of "Kiss of the spiderwoman".

That was breath taking.

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#20

re: The Single Most Awesome Set Piece

Posted: 6/21/06 at 9:10am

The "backstage/stadium" set in Jersey Boys, in "Dawn", where it feels as if you have gone to the back to the stage...Yes....that was amazing.

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#21

re: The Single Most Awesome Set Piece

Posted: 6/21/06 at 9:16am

The TV screens in Bring Back Birdie

#22

re: The Single Most Awesome Set Piece

Posted: 6/21/06 at 9:33am

Chitty Car
Sweet Charity Elevator

#23

re: The Single Most Awesome Set Piece

Posted: 6/21/06 at 9:35am

The set for "An Inspector Calls" was the most single brilliant bit of stage design I have witnessed in 28 years of theatre-going.

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#24

re: The Single Most Awesome Set Piece

Posted: 6/21/06 at 9:41am

the revolving set in Piazza

the chandelier and gargoglye in phantom

#25

re: The Single Most Awesome Set Piece

Posted: 6/21/06 at 10:02am

I really think that palm tree drop in Aida was just brilliant. So simple, but so symbolic. Bob Crowley’s work is just so inventive and inspiring. The opening scenes are Tarzan are just incredible. I think the set for Tarzan is a hideous mess thereafter, that green gave me a headache. Mary Poppins set is gorgeous. For really AMAZING sets head for the opera. I saw the Ring cycle once and it was just gorgeous. So much detail and beauty.