The new production Metamorphoses is the first Broadway rental package for Big Apple Lights since becoming a union shop last November.
The play, written and directed by Mary Zimmerman (based on the epic myths of Ovid) and produced in association with Second Stage Theatre at Circle in the Square, features lighting design by T.J. Gerckens, with Stewart Wagner as production electrician and Robert G. Mahon as technical supervisor.
In response to the specific requirements of the show, Big Apple recently purchased 50 ETC Source Four 25-50° Zoom ellipsoidal fixtures to add to its rental stock. The production also uses two ETC 96 dimmer racks and an ETC Obsession lighting control console.
“We were pleased to be able to work with T.J. and Stewart to provide the equipment they required for the production's unique needs,” says Big Apple president Patrick O'Rourke. “Once we had learned what T.J.'s needs were, we were happy to go the extra mile and obtain the Source Four Zoom fixtures.”
Robert Mahon offers praise for Big Apple's efforts. “Stewart Wagner and Peter Davis [of Second Stage] had worked with Big Apple before on smaller, non-union shows before Big Apple Lights became a Local 1 shop and they had very good experiences with the company. Now Big Apple Lights is the only union shop in Manhattan, which had a lot of appeal.”
As we went to press, it was announced that Gerckens had won a Lucille Lortel Award for his work on Metamorphoses. The production continues its open-ended run at the Circle in the Square.