Oof… I haven’t posted on here in ages, but this is one of the more painful deaths for me.
Eugene Lee was an absolute master of a set designer. He inspired me with his larger than life stage designs, and I’m so thankful that I’ve been able to see his work on stages in New York City, Denver, Las Vegas and Southern California.
It’s pretty cool that he designed Wicked, Showboat and Sweeney Todd all for the Gershwin Theatre. It’s amazing that he was able to use of every inch of space in that big ole barn. And while he recreated his work in subsequent tours, there is really nothing as jaw dropping as seeing the full scale show on Broadway.
The first design I saw of Eugene Lee’s was Showboat on tour in Denver at the Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre in 1995. I was absolutely blown away by the amount of stagecraft, automation, flies and trapdoors that were utilized in a touring show; and that there was not just one but two full size Showboats that appeared on the stage. That design quickly became an obsession for me to recreate the set in miniature scale.
In fact; it was the designs of Mr. Lee (as well as the late Maria Bjornson, Stanley Meyer and Bob Crowley) that prompted me to pursue a career in technical theatre; originally in set design but later in lighting.
I can’t thank Eugene Lee enough for the passion he ignited in me, and for the beautiful stage paintings that he has given millions over the years. May he rest in peace, and may his family and loved ones know that he will be deeply missed
If Lincoln were alive today, do you think he'd be pleased with his tunnel?
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