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Behind the Scenes: What It Takes to Mount a Musical

American Artscape | 2017 No. 4
Cover of NEA Arts No 4 2017
Top right: Blocking page for Crazy for You at Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia, courtesy of Kerry Epstein  Center: Ashley Spencer (Polly) and Danny Gardner (Bobby) in rehearsals. Photo by Christopher Mueller  Bottom right: Paint supplies in the prop shop at Signature Theatre. Photo by Christopher Mueller  Bottom left: Soundboard. Photo by Christopher Mueller 
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About this Issue

“Hey kids, let’s put on a show!” When Mickey Rooney rallied his gang to show biz in the 1939 film Babes in Arms, he and his friends embarked upon a theatrical lark. A couple of kids, a few costumes— what else do you need? 

Turns out, a lot. In 2014, according to Bureau of Economic Analysis data, performing arts presenters contributed $8.7 billion in value to the U.S. economy, but it isn’t all due to the people onstage. For actors, musicians, and dancers to succeed, there are multitudes behind the curtain that make it happen. In fact, in all the arts this is true: from the people mounting the artwork at a museum to the publishers and editors behind a literary work, the workers behind the scenes contribute to an artwork’s success. 

In this issue of NEA Arts, we go backstage at the Signature Theatre’s production of The Gershwins®’ & Ken Ludwig’s Crazy for You®, which will run through January 14, 2018, in Arlington, Virginia. Based on the songs of George and Ira Gershwin, the exuberant musical debuted on Broadway in 1992 and received three Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Choreography, and Best Costume Design, in addition to six other Tony nominations. To remount this sprawling love story, which is set during the 1930s in New York City and Deadrock, Nevada, a massive crew of casting directors, costume designers, stage managers, marketing associates, choreographers, music arrangers, and light and set designers was required to execute the director’s vision, and to make sure the actors and actresses could fully shine. 

We spoke with six members of the behind-the-scenes team about their experience with Crazy for You, and how their work supported the full production. Told in the interview subjects’ own words, these stories illuminate the truly massive effort required to put on a show. 

Included in this Issue

Man with dark beard and glasses

Walter Ware III, Resident Casting Director

Finding the Right People
Man in scarf looking at clothes on hangers

Tristan Raines, Costume Designer

Clothing the Characters
Man in blue work shirt looking in distance

Denis Jones, Choreographer

Dancing the Narrative
Actors and actresses with an upright bass perform onstage

Paul Tate dePoo III, Set Designer

Choreographing Scenery
Woman with brown hair looking down

Kerry Epstein, Production Stage Manager

"Magic Happens When I Say Go"
Woman with blond hair smiling

Jennifer Buzzell, Director of Marketing and Sales

Establishing Relationships
Sound engineer at a large sound board

Sound Designer Ryan Hickey: Listening as an Art Form

Audio Available
Man with glasses conducting an orchestra.

Resident Music Director Jon Kalbfleisch: Transforming Musical Ideas into Reality

Audio Available

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