Bye Bye Birdie Initial Design Concepts (03/04/2014)

From what I’ve glimpsed, there are two dominant approaches that I’ve seen in past productions

of the show. The first steers designs somewhat similar towards the direction of a cartoonish

feel. That’s definitely not the direction I want to take.

This is the type of approach I want to

steer a bit clear from as you begin

brainstorming. Having said that, feel

absolutely free to follow the dominant,

pretty extreme color schemes that were

slowly weaving their way into interior

designs at the latter part of the decade;

Let’s say 1958 is our target date.

A1S1 – Almaelou records: It’s a very quick, one-shot locale. We need a desk, a wall, a piano,

and anything else that’s light and can be easily added. Here are a few examples of what’s been

done before…

Like the idea of using a logo, but I think we reuse Nice set dressing. Speaking of which, that’s a new design job! the wall as an exterior later on in the show.

A1S2 – Sweet Apple, OH (“The Telephone Hour”): It’s a large time commitment for the

build, but we are going to make use of the iconic box arrangement for “The Telephone Hour” in

our production. However, we’ll double up on our use of the piece as well. Its reverse will also

serve as the wall units for two other scenes. I really enjoyed one example clip I came across

with fairly reduced spacing for the boxes, but our design will more or less follow this concept.

However, as the chorus joins in, Courtney will be running with elements of this version as well.

Why do I mention it? The use of the phones and cords are a concern for props.

A1S3 – MacAfee House: We’ll put a decent amount of care and time into this locale. We

come back to it more than once. What we do manage to achieve should look pretty polished.

Take time on this design. There are a few items that will present a challenge. I’m worried

about achieving a believable facade for the period stovetop/oven and refrigerator. Does anyone

have connections with a metal scrapper?

Really like the use of

the wrought iron bed

frame. Again, set

dressing works! Our

bedroom for Kim will

be, ideally, 3-4’ high.

This design is interesting, but it’s a little more

condensed than I like. I also don’t like the

painted facades of the kitchen. When all is said

and done, maybe it’s best to simply consider the

original film version of the show while

envisioning the MacAfee residence.

Anyway, the basics. We need a kitchen area SR with countertop space, a stove and oven, and a

refrigerator. We also need a door USR. However, I’m open to other ideas for the door into the

kitchen. In DS of the kitchen’s wall unit we need a table and three chairs. Moving SL, we find

a stairwell leading up to Kim’s room. There should also be a set of escape stairs and a doorway

at the top of the landing outside of Kim’s room. In her room we need a bed, two walls, and a

window in the SL wall unit. DS of her room on the main floor is the living room. We need two

chairs and a table between. Oh, we also need a wall-mounted telephone SR in the kitchen.

A1S4a – Pennsylvania Station: Okay, the image below is from the Broadway revival of the

show. Yeah, it’s amazing. Yeah, we can’t replicate it. However, I would like to reasonably

replicate the clock. It would also be awesome to bring in some somewhat similar light fixtures.

We’ll just use the black traveler US. We do need a luggage cart, and we need to find a wooden

bench unit. It will be tricky to find, but it should approximate something like a church pew.

We may also use the crates in this scene, unless they don’t blend well.

It’s the clock, light fixtures, and bench that make the scene.

A1S5 – Sweet Apple Railroad Station: This scene represents our first use of a backdrop.

Here’s the key, choose backdrops that will blend well. All we need for this scene is the drop, a

luggage cart, and possibly the railroad crossing sign we already have in stock.

No.

A1S6 – Courthouse Steps: This scene takes place immediately after the station and is our

second use of a backdrop. At the courthouse we also need a raised platform that about 2-3’ tall

with steps in front of it. We will use this structure again.

Let’s find drops that are uniform and a little

more natural in appearance.

A1S8 – Stage and Backstage Office, Central Movie Theatre: For this setup, we’re going to

play the scene DS of the main. We just need a desk and a chair. We’re setting it DL.

A1S9 – Stage and Backstage Office, Central Movie Theatre: Okay, there are a few different

ways we can set this scene. I’m blending elements of a few past productions I’ve seen. We will

need a functioning camera that’s period appropriate, as displayed in the image at left below.

We also need a large boom w/ mic, some wardrobe racks, and a set of red curtain lines that part

in the middle. We’ll also use the tiered platform and steps from the courthouse scene.

We also need a mic and stand Conrad can utilize heavily.

You’re only able to glimpse it at the beginning of the scene, but I LOVE the use of the live

projection in black and white on the screen DSL. I want to steal this idea. The next image

listed below conveys the idea of the red curtain line doorway that I want to utilize. I would also

love to fly in a lit “On Air” sign as well.

A2S4 – Maude’s Roadside Retreat: This can be an awesome additional locale, if given the

care it deserves. I want to take the direction of turning Maude’s into a tacky 50’s Tahitian-esc

dive bar.

I love the use of plants, and the tasseled signage. I don’t like the execution of this design, but I love the concept.

Our Maude’s requires several tables, a bar, and a door to the “Private Dining Room” in the USL

wall. The bar will be SL, but R of C. Checkout the floorplans. Again, hate to be a broken

record, but TONS of opportunity for set dressing.

A2S5 – Private Dining Room, Maude’s Roadside Retreat: Okay, this is a pretty standard

setup. We’ll be using the red curtain line from the Central Movie Theater MSR. Beyond that,

we need a long table with linen cloth and seating for eight. This is always a VERY hilarious

scene. Any ideas you have for modifications and add-ons are sought. It’s shriner time!

A2S6 – Backdoor, Maude’s Roadside Retreat: This is our 2nd

use of ½ of the cube unit’s US

side from “The Telephone Hour.” It’s also what we use for the wall in Almaelou Music, if I

remember correctly. I’d love to come up with a brickwork wall that could also plausibly be an

interior unit. Kill two birds with one stone. Beyond that, we need an old school metal trashcan.

A light hanging out of the wall would also be cool

A2S7 – The Ice House: Our final scene locale. This requires our third use of a drop. It will be

positioned on one of the further DS line sets. We will use our two large crates USL & USR in

the scene.

Not sure if I love it or hate it. Again, the key will be blending it with the other drops we choose.