A Favorite Post

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Building the Set - Part 1, "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," Priscilla Beach Theatre, Priscilla Beach, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA



It is quiet on the Barn Stage at Priscilla Beach Theatre (PBT). "A Chorus Line," has wrapped after an incredibly popular and successful 14-performance run. These mirrors are all that remains from that show, waiting to be disassembled and removed. I can still hear the echoes of that powerful ensemble closing number, the performers lined up across the stage, their glittering costumes, legs kicking, hats raised - what a show that was!

But life and theatre moves on.......the cast of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," is well into their rehearsals and today it's time for set construction to get moving.



The theatre stands regally and quiet on this hot summer day.



The iconic 1937 Chevy truck is parked nearby. 1937 was the year when PBT first opened.



Inside, the master carpenters from Kelleher Fine Builders, Kingston, MA, are here again to begin construction of the new set for "Forum." These are the same builders, Paul and Van, who spent much of 2014 and 2015 carrying out the extraordinary renovation of the venerable PBT Barn Stage and other campus buildings.



They begin assembling the pieces they built offsite into the basic framework for what will be three adjacent house facades.



















The mirrors from "A Chorus Line" help make a fun image.


The man in the red shirt is Josh Patino, the Production Manager for PBT discussing the set with Paul Kelleher.  The mirrors illustrate a good point about Josh, Paul, and Van - they've done so much around here that there surely must be at least two of each of them to get it all done.  






It takes a big team to pull together a seamless professional performance and PBT has set and achieved a high bar on that point.

In short order, these master craftsmen have the rough shell up and almost ready for finishing.  After the carpentry is complete, a talented set painter/designer will come in and paint the wooden pieces as well as creating a cobblestone street on the stage floor.



Here is a sample set of what a Canadian designer developed for his production of the show in Vancouver. (Source: Lance Cardinal).

"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," opens on August 4th for 11 performances.  If you don't have tickets yet, you'd better hurry up before they're all gone.  Contact PBT online at this link or by phone at 508-224-4888.

Support local live theatre in our community! PBT is a local treasure and resource that enriches us all.


No comments:

Post a Comment