42nd Street

42nd Street is a show-within-a-show musical about trying to put on a professional production during the height of the Great Depression. In 1933 New York City, big-name Broadway producer and director Julian Marsh is working on the show Pretty Lady. It is set to star veteran performer Dorothy Brock and juvenile star Billy Lawlor. During a mishap during opening night, Dorothy breaks her ankle and chorus girl Peggy Sawyer has to step up to save the show.
As co-lighting designer alongside Chris Riley, I got to design three numbers in the show: Shadow Waltz, We're In The Money, and the 42nd Street Ballet. Shadow Waltz begins as a scene, develops into a rehearsal "show look," and transform to a full out Pretty Lady production number. We're In The Money is a flashy, fantastic, almost over-the-top production number that begins with a group of four ragamuffin girls finding a dime in a city street. Overjoyed with their discovery, they begin to sing about how they are "in the money." Lastly, the 42nd Street Ballet is the big finale number of Act 2. Almost like a standalone dance piece, it tells a story all within itself. The 42nd Street Ballet tells the story of a girl, played by Peggy, who comes to New York City and tries to find her place in the world. She is met with a variety of people who make up the city: soldiers, nifties, gangsters, hookers, policemen, newsboys, high society members, and a pickpocket. As the number continues, Peggy meets a soldier, played by Billy, and they fall in love. The world fades away as the two dance; Peggy has finally found her place in the city. Chaos ensues when a pickpocket steals a society member's purse. A gangster, aiming for the pickpocket, mistakenly shoots and kills Billy. Peggy is heartbroken, but she doesn't get any time to process. The world keeps spinning, the city keeps moving, and she gets swept back into the motion.

Director/Choreographer: Dawn Lebrecht Fornara

Scenic Design: Michael Santos & Jason Wagman

Lighting Design: Chris Riley & Dallas J. Cook

Sound Design: Joshua D. Reid

Costume Design: Dot Auchmoody

Stage Management: Cole Butcher

Executive Artistic Director: Bryce Alexander

Photos: Naples Creative and Dallas J. Cook