Hale works its magic so show will soar

F/X wiz creates 'spectacular' special effects, flying system

Bruce Bredeson — who will also direct HCT's upcoming production of "Ragtime" — is putting the finishing touches on Hale Centre Theatre's production of "The Slipper and the Rose."

The double-cast production has more than 30 people in each ensemble, with only a handful of performers single-cast. Mearle Marsh has recorded the background score, using live musicians in Hale Centre Theatre's on-site recording studio. "He's gone in and done a lot of work on the score," said Bredeson. "What we got from the British publishing house came out a little different in the translation. We got some rewrites that didn't quite match up, but he's done some great work with that.

"He's also come up with some 'magic' sounds to go with the special effects." And those special effects, according to Bredeson, "will be pretty spectacular."

Andrew Barrus, who is Hale Centre Theatre's behind-the-scenes technical wizard, is conjuring up dozens of magical effects. For one, he and his team — including Robbie Kinmont, Paul Avery and Richie Kinmont — are constructing HCT's first flying system. (Think "Peter Pan.") They've taken bits and pieces of the flying systems usually designed for large, proscenium-style theaters and have reconfigured their own concept for making it work in the round.

Producer Mark Dietlein noted that, a couple of years ago, one of the major "flying" companies bid $200,000 to install a flying system at HCT. But now, instead of that, Barrus and his crew are building their own system from the ground up (or from the ceiling down) — for only $30,000.

Barrus has inspected other systems, such as one used for the "Aladdin" production at Disneyland, and some state-of-the-art facilities in Las Vegas. "I think we have an advantage, being in the round," Barrus said. "In those other shows, there are elaborate backdrops that also illuminate the cables. Our lighting is more obtuse — from above, not from the sides — and I'm convinced that this will make the cables 'disappear.' "

Dietlein added that Barrus' own team of master craftsmen and machinists have done a remarkable job in creating the new system, building many of the components from scratch. "A couple of these guys are also experienced mountain and rock climbers, so they're accustomed to hanging precariously from high places."

They were doing just that a couple of weeks ago, installing the track around and through HCT's lighting grid system.

One of the show's most spectacular special effects, however, won't involve any flying. It's when the fairy godmother does her magic — creating a new gown and elaborate carriage for Cinderella. Barrus said the carriage "will take form around Cinderella, just like an electric light parade."

There will also be some pyrotechnics — fireworks and flashpots — adding to the magic of the show (but Dietlein said that some of these may be cut back, depending on what the county fire marshal will let them do).

Designer Jolene Ashcraft and her team have constructed more than 200 costumes and pieces for the show.

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E-mail: ivan@desnews.com

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