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Roger Waters The Wall Live Tour

Annie photo by Joan Marcus

Annie’s Storybook Sets

David Korins loves Annie, and knew that he had a huge responsibility in designing sets for the first re-imagined version of the famed 1977 musical, whose numerous hit songs (“Tomorrow,” “Maybe,” “It’s A Hard Knock Life”) are embedded in our cultural DNA. The current Broadway incarnation is the third production of the beloved show, and the first not directed by original director/lyricist Martin Charnin. Director James Lapine chose Korins as his scenic designer, and the latter felt quite honored to be a part of a team that wanted to make the show equally engaging for adults as children. Known for creative scenic work on shows like Godspell, Passing Strange and The Pee-wee Herman Show, Korins wanted to help redefine the musical — originally inspired by a Harold Gray comic strip, about little orphan Annie, plucked from an abusive Lower East Side orphanage to spend the Christmas holidays with rich and powerful Daddy Warbucks, who then becomes her benefactor — for a new generation.

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Grey Cup CFL Halftime Show. Photo: Carole Bozzato Timm & Roy Timm

The Grey Cup: North America’s “Other” Big Football Halftime Show

There’s a visual glow — a kind of Electric Aura — around Toronto. It’s the energy of precision planning — a year ahead of time — that goes into a show with seven and a half minutes to set up, 15 minutes of adrenaline-pumping performances, and three frantic minutes on the clock to clear the field. The Canadian Football League celebrated the 100th championship with the SiriusXM Grey Cup Halftime Show Nov. 25. Along with 50,000-plus Toronto Argonauts and Calgary Stampeders fans on site at Toronto’s Rogers Centre, millions in Canada, the U.S. and beyond saw the Grey Cup and halftime show via TV and the Internet — making the event the most-watched Grey Cup and halftime show in CFL history.

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Elton John Million Dollar Piano photo by Steve Jennings

Elton John’s Million Dollar Piano

Perspectives from Patrick Woodroffe, Mark Fisher and Kevin Bye

Elton John’s Million Dollar Piano, a three-year engagement at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, is the artist’s second long-running residency show at the venue. Like the previous residency/tour, Red Piano, a key focal point is Elton’s instrument on stage, in this case a custom-built, million-dollar Yamaha piano that he has named Blossom. The Million Dollar piano has built into it LSI/Saco 3mm high resolution LED screens which feature various visual designs throughout the show. PLSN got the opportunity to discuss the show’s visual elements with LD Patrick Woodroffe, production designer Mark Fisher and lighting director Kevin “Stick” Bye.

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My Morning Jacket tour photo by Bree Kristel Clarke

GLP’s Lasting Impression

“We want to be the leading manufacturer of LED automated fixtures,” states Mark Ravenhill. “We want to maintain that goal and keep moving forward. We want to keep adapting the technology available and keep bringing products to the market that make those who light live events lives better.”

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