Show me the Money

A wild and crazy show that gets bigger and bolder each year.

 A live televised award show is pressure enough, but when star power, budgets, ratings and expectations continue to build higher and higher, what do you do?

Staging Solutions uses moving video to turn corporate theatre on its head.

The blessing of corporate work is that it’s predictable, right? Contracts for the larger shows are drawn up a year in advance, design work is pored over and sent around to corporate committees for approvals months before the gig happens, and even if something comes up right before the show goes out, it’s a minor problem — just a run-of-the-mill production snag to keep things interesting. And then, sometimes you’re asked to do the spectacular in no time flat, like Dave Lawson of Staging Solutions, executive producer for the HP Technology Forum.

Many accomplishments highlight effectiveness of industry organization

In 1987, Homer Simpson made his debut appearance on The Tracy Ullman Show, the Bangles were walking like Egyptians and 25 theatrical sup-ply companies decided it was time they banded together to promote and protect their interests. Simpson ended up with his own show, the Bangles walked right into obscurity and the organization that began as the Theatrical Dealers Association that year in Las Vegas is now the Entertainment Services and Technology Association, better known as ESTA.

If change is in the air, then it must be the political season. The last time there was a looming presidential election was the last time there was so much attention focused on one issue. Back then, outsourcing was the hot button issue. This time around it’s the environment. And politicians eve-rywhere have decided that “banning the bulb” is the way to environmental salvation.

Stark sets and dramatic lighting link the past to the present.

Although new chamber pieces and small-scale operas are frequently performed, new large-scale opera premieres are rare. First, there is the expense. In addition to the words and music, grand opera demands enormous resources, both onstage and in the wings. The company needs principal and secondary singers, a chorus, stagehands, dancers, choreographers, an orchestra, conductors, the stage directors, and the technicians and artists responsible for lighting, scenery, props and costumes. Repertory companies also have large administrative staff requirements. For the year 2005–2006, salaries for all of San Francisco Opera totaled in excess of $40 million. Picture a big Broadway musical on steroids.