Skip Mercier, our set designer for Guys and Dolls (and the designer for Cabaret and West Side Story) flew in earlier in the week to work through the model of G&D with the team. We’ve consciously moved the design process earlier this year to try to get a jump on our nutty production schedule.

He’s created a world that is surrounded by abstract portals evoking the frenetic life of NY in the 30’s. Each portal contains a series of light boxes that can light up or dim in a different configuration for each scene.

Two large wagons will move mechanically across the stage carrying the furniture to shift into the next scene.

And a series of drops at the back will fly in and out to change the shape, color and mood of each locale.

The original production was set in 1951 (when it was produced), but the book upon which the musical is based was written in the 1930’s - so we are opting for the earlier timeframe. The feeling of Coney Island in the 30s as depicted in the artwork of Reginald Marsh and Paul Cadmus inspired much of the hyper saturated, over ripe texture.

I love both the fluidity offered by the design as well as the chance to dramatically change the feel with one big, simple gesture. We will utilize more “flying scenery” for this production than any we’ve yet mounted.

Thanks to our special early bird ticket offer, tickets to Guys and Dolls are now on sale.

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