Based on the popularity of Live Design's 31 Days Of Plots in December each year, we have decided to present Plot Of The Week, with a light plot (or plots) per week until December 2023, when the next 31 Days Of Plots begins.
Fourth in this series are the plots for the December 2022 Westchester regional theatre premiere of Jersey Boys at the White Plains Performing Arts Center, with lighting by Matthew Guminski. Credits for this winner of the 2006 Tony Award for Best Musical include book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, music by Bob Gaudio, and lyrics by Bob Crewe.
"Artistically, I wanted to approach this production with fresh eyes, and without influence from the original Broadway/Off Broadway/touring productions. Having never seen the show before, I decided to forgo viewing any archival production footage and create a different design take on a long-running and very popular show. I dedicated my research to listening to the soundtrack and view archival photos/videos from the Four Seasons live performances," says the LD.
"The colossal number of scenes within each act and the speed at which the show moves, provided a unique design challenge. The unit set, that was artfully designed by the Swader brothers, created an intentional neutral 1950s alley/street scene. All specific locations were defined by a few set pieces and mostly the lighting which was used to create a vibrant world that we live in for almost two and a half hours. That being said, rather than add dozens of conventional specials, I relied on heavy moving light rig (32 fixtures). This gave us maximum flexibility to be able sculpt a scene or add a special ad hoc," explains Guminski.
"In Jersey Boys, between the moments of real-time action, characters continually break the fourth wall in order to narrate the story of their lives and accompany us along their journey. Given that, I wanted to support the interplay between flashbacks, real time interplay, and concert performances. I relied on a heavy LED rig of fixtures to give me that punch of color which really cut through the fairly neutral conventional acting light," Guminski notes. "My design intentionally follows the emotional arc of both the narrative and the characters. To that end, using heightened saturated color juxtaposed with texture were my go-to tools to create the mood, establish the fluid environment, setting and overall time line of the story."
Production Team
Director/Choreographer: Antoinette DiPetropolo
Lighting Design/Programmer: Matthew Guminski
Scenic Design: Christopher & Justin Swader
Sound Design: Jon Weston
Costume Design: Tristan Raines
Musical Director: Stephen Ferri
Stage Manager: Laura Krouch
Master Electrician: Olivier Matheny-Plamondon
Gear List
1 High End Systems Full Boar 4
2 ETC Source Four 10°
16 ETC Source Four 19°
44 ETC Source Four 26°
44 ETC Source Four 36°
6 ETC Source Four 50°
8 ETC ColorSource Spot Deep Blue 36°
4 ETC ColorSource Spot Deep Blue 50°
30 ETC Source Four PAR WFL
7 Altman 6’0” 3Ckt MR16 Zip Strip
4 ChromaQ ColorForce II 72
6 Elation Seven Batten 42
18 Martin Mac Aura XB
4 Elation Platinum Seven
4 Elation Artiste Picasso
6 Elation Satura Profile CMY
4 Wybron CXI
1 Ultratec Radiance Hazer w/ Fan
More: Plots Of The Week 2023