Simon Matthews, Susan Stroman, Jonathan Deans, and Abe Jacob host a Q+A after Young Frankenstein.
The 2008 BSMC—this year's version of the annual Broadway Sound Master Classes—kicked off on Friday evening, May 16, with a performance of Young Frankenstein at the Hilton Theatre. In spite of heavy rain and heavy traffic, a group of 120 people attended the show (which is totally hilarious). At the end of the show, the group remained in the theatre for a Q&A with Abe Jacob, creative consultant for the Classes, Simon Matthews, the highly-talented FOH board op, the equally talented sound designer Jonathan Deans, and surprise guest, director/choreographer Susan Stroman. "Stro," as she is called by her friends, discussed her collaboration with Deans, whose sound design for the show includes 700 special effects.
Deans spoke more about the sound design for the show on Saturday morning, May 17, as one of the featured speakers at the BSMC.... referring to his three shows in the Hilton Theatre to date: Ragtime, Pirate Queen, and Young Frankenstein. In keeping with the broad comedy of a Mel Brooks musical, the sound for Young Frankenstein is bold and loud, complete with an opening thunder clap that Deans joked could deafen you for the rest of the show. As always, Deans was a knowledgeable, personable, and humorous speaker who is obviously passionate about what he does, including numerous productions for Cirque du Soleil, including the upcoming CRISS ANGEL Believe at the Luxor, the sixth resident show for Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas, which will be part of the 2008 Backstage Las Vegas during LDI2008 in October.