"Mofo with the Hat" for Barebones Productions 2013

The play is really called Motherfucker with the Hat.  I have designed for Barebones, which is Patrick Jordan's company, before.  The play is a well written piece with twists and turns.  The cast was incredible to work with and was well received.  The design team had a lot of fun trying to figure out to create all that is needed for this play within the means of the company.  Richard Parsakian, costume designer, Doug McDermott, set designer, and Dave Bjornson sound designer all created something out of nothing.  Just because there is profanity in the title should not deter you from seeing a production of this play.  Photos are from Richard Parsakian and myself.

"Big George" a new play by Kelli Stevens Kane (2013)

This was the first program of the Hazlett Theatre CSA series for 2013/2014.  It is a really inventive idea from Rene Conrad, the executive director of the New Hazlett Theater.  She approached me for some help with student designers for this series.  This performance was not during the school year though and when she mentioned that Mark Staley was directing and that Steffi Mayer was designing I was in!  The subject matter is a grandmother who is called lovingly "Big George".  She was a fixture in the Hill District here in pittsburgh and a fixture in her family.  Kelli's writing is so rich it was a pleasure to design.  Ideas flowed very easily between all of us.  I do hope this gets another production and i do hope to work on it again.  Some of the these shots are from Rene Rosensteel, Justin Crimone, and Steffi Mayer.

"You say Tomato"..ON TOUR (2013)

The production of "You say Tomato..I say SHUT UP from the CLO Cabaret grew legs.  Back in July we did it in San Diego.  It moved to Philadelphia in September.  I did not have my camera with me so these shots are from an iPad and iPhone.  The production in San Diego had to be altered scenically.  One of the pictures is from the original production.

"Vanya & Sonia & Masha and Spike" for City Theatre (2013)

This is a very funny play that just won the Tony for Best New Play.  It is written by Christopher Durang. It was directed by Tracy Brigden.  Designed by Tony Ferrieri, Costumes by Susan Tsu, Sound by Joe Pino.  It is always fun to work on a good comedy and this certainly is a good comedy.  Enjoy the shots!

"A Musical Christmas Carol" for Civic Light Opera..1992-Present

Back in 1992 i was the associate lighting designer on this production.  Martin Bookwalter was the set designer as well as the lighting designer.  Charles Gray was the producer back then and he wanted someone local who might be able to recreate the show.  Martin was so busy dressing the set that i wrote the first act cues and he wrote the second act.  The following year Charles asked me to recreate the show.  Subsequently Charles asked me to "fix" parts of the show he didn't like as much as others.  IN the 2 years that followed the show had a new look.   I have recreated the show every year but 2 because i was out of town.  These shots are from the recent revivals.  It is fun to work on this show every year.  One of these shots was with my Ipad.

"Soldier's Heart" for Playhouse REP 2013

These are shots from a world premiere of Tammy Ryan's new play "Soldier's Heart".  The central character is a female soldier who is also a mother of a young boy.  She is in the army and has to go back to Iraq for the government.  The play deals with some really tough issues but i was moved by this play the first time i read it and it still moves me.  It was directed by John Amplas.  The Scenic Design was by Gianni Downs, Costumes by Kathleen Crocker-Perry, Sound by Kristopher Buggey and the Video was by Jessi Sedon_Essad.  I want to do another production.

"Chess" for Playhouse Conservatory Company 2013

"Chess"...some folks love the show and some detest the show.  Director Scott Wise wanted to move the show into a different realm.  Anne Mundell designed a very open concept plan.  Jesse Sedon-Essad (video designer) and I worked really hard to move along with the idea.  There were some wonderful performances and moments in the show.  Would I change things if i were to do it again?  You decide.

"School for Scandal" at Point Park

This was a great challenge for a young acting company. It is highly stylized and the students rose to the occasion.  Director, Alan Stanford, did a little cut and paste to update the script.  Joan Markert did an amazing job on the costuming and Michael Essad made the transitions between locations quick and simple.  It was fun to work on and the show had a really sweet run.

"Abigail 1702" for City Theatre

This is a faux sequel to "The Crucible".  It is 10 years later and Abigail Williams is know as Ruth Meadows.  We did the 2nd production overall.  Tracy Brigden directed.  Tony Ferrieri did the scenery. Pei-Chi Siu did the costuming.  Eric Shimelonis was the sound designer.  The play asked the question of forgiveness and does it come externally or internally or both.

"LIttle Gem" for City Theatre

This is a monologue play.  It is not the normal monologue play and it follows a grandmother, mother, and daughter.  It is a beautiful little piece.  Kimberly Senior directed this with the scenery by Jack Magaw.  Ange Vesco did the costuming and Ryan McMaster did the sound.  This was in the studio theater and it was done in the round.  I thought it worked really well for the piece.