This set was nominated for two EMACT awards for excellence in the categories of Best Set Design and Set Painting. It was awarded the EMACT for best Set Painting and Dressing in a Musical 2015.
Original Vector Artwork Lettering created by Leslie Alfred McGrath in Adobe Illustrator.
Show posters designed in Adobe Illustrator. Illustrations and Title lettering copyright Leslie McGrath.
8x10 foot hand-painted book cover for Spotlight Playhouse production of "Into the Woods." Matches the production poster I created for this show.
Start of Show Stage. Three Hand painted Book Covers. 12' x 8' open flats reverse to inside of Cinderella and Jack's House.
This is the reverse side of the three big books from Start of Show. These pictures were taken before all details were painted on walls and set was finished being dressed. I regret not getting better photos after everything was complete.
Magical Moment. The big book covers turn from start of show as the narrator says, "Once Upon a Time" to the cottages of Cinderella, the Baker, and Jack.
Missing all the beam work and wall texture and set dressing. But the Milky White robotic puppet, built and operated by Kevin Wilson was such a remarkable interactive character!
Seams not gaffed yet and set dressing not complete in this photo.
Early sketch for the Baker's House.
Jack's House for first act with wall's textured and set dressing.
Wish I had gotten a photo of the actual set dressing for act 2. This is not it. Missing many elements. But the throne by Carl Juliano is FABULOUS!
Rapunzel's tower is actually the reverse side of the Big Into the Woods Book from Start of Show. Stairway inside. Rolls on easily from stage right. The other corner of this piece is also the tree/tower used for Jack and the Baker During "No One is Alone."
This is all handpainted tower, keeping the aesthetic of the children's book illustrations through out all the pieces.
This shot shows the witch beginning to levitate. We had a fulcrum that lifted the butcher block she sat on about a foot off the floor.
This is the basic woods full stage. Back platform, two ramps R andL all hand painted in storybook style. Large 8ft tree stumps good for hiding behind (made of insulation foam, carved and painted). The ramps on either side transform into the bridge you will see later.
Cinderella's mother tree was a challenge for many reasons. Trees are hard to pull off and still feel organic. Also this tree needed to house the actress and move in and out of cluttered wings, be more than 9 feet high, dispense a golden ballroom gown, and also serve as the dead tree for Act 2.
But we knew we had one of these! And being silly is the best part of life...
Started with this sketch I got up in the middle of the night to put on paper.
And started the morning convincing Jeremy Bryant it could work and he needed to help me cut some foam. But most people didn't think this looked like a tree.
So when in doubt ... make a toilet paper roll model!
Carved insulation foam in various thickness. Carved, sanded, painted.
The sets look best when layered with the fabulous costumes by Deb Fici Tucker. And the makeup by Amanda Allen is a show stealer!
Another 4 x 8 flat with A big Book cover, this time "Little Red Riding Hood" which reverses to Grannie's bed. Great trick when the Baker tears open the quilt and Granny and Red jump out. Big Crowd pleaser!
The Master Builder Jim Destefano clowning around after he built this set.
Back Stage shot of the finished set. Unfortunately, the photos on stage with the actors were before the details were in.
These ramps for L and R stage also pull out and reverse amd combine to form the foot bridge
Did I mention that if you don't have a crew like this one to move things so smoothly it looks quick and easy, the magic gets lost? These guys be young, but they be fierce and flawless!
And in the blink of an eye, the ramps become a bridge!
Start of Act 2 New Set dressing for the cottages.
Act 2 reverse side of the Mother Tree. Dead, grey, hollow.
Just in case we didn't use every square inch of the surface of this bohemoth piece. Here is the other corner now used for "No One is Alone".
The amazing robotic cow! Milky White was a full character in this production. It was hard NOT to watch him when he was on stage. Created and commandered by Kevin Wilson.
This is the talented cast of this production. I wish I could post the performance. The vocals, and orchestra were brilliantly directed by Peg DeGrazia. The handsome guy in the blue shirt on the far left in back, is the venerable director, Lance Arnold. He crafted a very clear and complex vision of this production with a steady sense of enlightenment and humor.
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