Category: Theater
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Jay Leno with Phat Cat Swinger
The band Phat Cat Swinger opened up the show tonight with an incredible set of swinging tunes. These guys and gals really rock! With a swinging rhythm section (Bass and Drums), and full complement of a horn section, and two fun frontmen. (Plus a great guitar player and keyboardist) And if that’s not enough there’s…
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Pam Tillis, Lorrie Morgan, New Kids and Work Troubles
Most of the time here on my blog, I write short bits about the acts onstage. We’ve been busy at work with a lot of shows lately—A Magical Cirque Christmas, Jim Brickman, Pam Tillis together with Lorrie Morgan, Brian McKnight, and Matteo Bocelli, to name a few. All good stuff. I’ll leave a few photos…
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Lance Burton and Robert Cray
It’s been an interesting week. This last week (to me, not by the calendar.) I worked with both, the great magician Lance Burton and the incredible guitarist Robert Cray. I always enjoy working with Lance Burton. It was his sixth time visiting the Cerritos Canter for the Performing Arts. Last time he came I asked…
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Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts acquires Digico Quantum 338’s
A DiGiCo Double Play for the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts See the link above for the whole article. The venue where I work, The Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, has substantially upgraded our audio system. Starting with the audio desks. Two new Digico Quantum 338’s. We have also acquired a line array,…
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New Show Relay Video System
I’ve been working at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts (CCPA) for thirty-three years. The lobby show relay system for the advertising of upcoming events, backstage (onstage) monitoring, and for the patrons to watch while getting a drink at the bar has remained virtually the same since we first started using it back in…
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Boyz II Men
It’s been a good day working on Boyz II Men at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. The Boyz crew has been very professional and incredibly easy going to work with. Most of the gear on stage is from our rental provider DNA, with some audio gear from FLAG. All the lighting and PA,…
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The Addams Family
We’re working on the Broadway show, The Addams Family this weekend. Although, since I’m in the middle of a thirteen day week, most of which are over twelve hour days, it may be a while before I get a chance to post this!I’m, as always, on these types of shows NOT on the audio crew,…
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Working Props
Most of the time at work, I fill the role of A2 on the audio crew, or I am the projectionist/camera operator. When Broadway-type shows hit the stage, though, my role in the production is almost always that of a property technician—i.e., a props guy. The prop department is responsible for many jobs on a…
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John Waite and Tommy Tutone soundcheck
Yesterday I had the pleasure to work with two great artist. I did not work the show but was an A2 on the soundcheck. Headlining the show was John Waite, who is best known for his 1984 hit single “Missing You”, which reached the No. one spot on the US Billboard Hot 100. Next up,…
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Cary Elwes (Wesley, The Dread Pirate Roberts from The Princess Bride)
Ricky, my coworker and I ran into Cary Elwes and Tony who was on tour with him. They were in the orchestra hallway checking out the donor plaques. We were on our way to a coffee break, since we had extra time while we were waiting for a copy of The Princess Bride to download. Cary was…
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Joss Stone and Nik West
Tonight’s show is with Joss Stone, the opening band is a bass player Named Nik West and her band. Nik West turned out to be an unbelievable bass player and has a great band. Super funky with driving beats. The rest of the band was also incredible. David Collum II, the drummer rocked hard! And…
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Hairspray
We recently worked on the touring version of the musical Hairspray. My job on the show was working with the prop crew. The props lead for the company, Abbie Garrison (everyone just calls her by her last name) was friendly and easy to work with, which made my days easy. That’s not to say it…
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Avery Sunshine / Yamaha CKO
We’re working on a corporate meeting for Yamaha this week. We have done this show for quite a few years. We started on Monday by loading in some gear and hanging soft goods. I was working on the carps crew for the day. On Tuesday we loaded in video equipment. I am working mostly as a liaison…
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Lighting Preps
Every day isn’t working on a show. There are days set aside for other tasks, and today is one of those. Today is a prep day, and I will be working on the lighting/electric crew today. Usually I work on the audio crew, but if you spend enough time in this business you learn to…
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Drum Tao
Today’s show is with Drum Tao. If you don’t know what Taiko drums are, they’re a type of Japanese drum which tend to range up into the size I would call enormous. There will be other instruments on stage too such as the Koto, a large zither (think steel guitar for country music fans, or a lay down harp…
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Little Women
This weekend we are working on the musical adaptation of the Louisa May Alcott book, Little Women. The company showed up with 2 simi trucks full of set pieces, lighting, audio equipment, props and lots of wardrobe. So far it’s been an easy day as we had a lot of overhire help (hands hired for…
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What the Hell Do Stagehands Do Anyhow?
Hauling a lot of stuff on to stage for a Broadway show It turns out that a lot of people ask this question when I tell them what I do for work. Actually, we call ourselves technical services, or tech services – or just techs. Turns out we do a lot. I like to say,…