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The 1940s Radio Hour-
Scenic Design by R. Finkelstein - Produced
at The University of Cincinnati, College Conservatory of Music (two views
shown here). Lighting was by Peggy Eisenhauer with Direction by Paula
Kalustian
1940s Radio
Hour (scenery design)
Context/Pretext:
This production was produced by the College
Conservatory of Music at The University of Cincinnati. CCM has a
tradition of producing large-scale, musical theatre and opera
productions. The production incorporated the work of a number of guest
artists including director, Paula Kalustian and lighting designer Peggy
Eisenhauer. Later that year, Ms. Eisenhauer shared a Tony award with
Jules Fisher for their design on Broadway of Grand Hotel. While
the script calls for a small musical ensemble, CCM insisted that the set
provide space for their entire nationally recognized 17 piece jazz band.
Description:
The set provides for the seven simultaneous
playing spaces called for in the script: The prime performance area,
band area, control room, producer�s office, green room, backstage
door/security area, and sound effects area. In elevating the control
room, additional playing spaces were provided in the form of a
connecting catwalk and ship�s ladder. The backstage/door area includes
a stairway which indicates a path to dressing rooms above. A
light-reactive show portal frames in the action. The portal can light up
in multiple colors, while glitter-clad letters spell out the name of the
holiday show. Lighting is integrated into the set as well as practical
"applause" and "on the air" signs. The architecture
of the space continues above the acting area to suggest the outside of
the building, natural lighting via a skylight during the day, as well as
the world beyond (through simulated neon signs). The entire set is
designed, and built in perspective. While the environments are unified
by shape and form, the surface treatment is unique in each area. For
instance, in floor treatment, the performance space has a pink and gray
period tile pattern, while the greenroom has a green and yellow-green
pattern. The offices have wood slat floors and the band area floors are
gray concrete. The walls of the backstage area are brick, while the
walls in the band area are period acoustic tile. Period set dressing and
furniture props complete the picture
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