Historically, Broadway is no stranger to productions with a darker edge. Take, for example, The Phantom of the Opera. The story is set in the murky depths of the Paris Opera House, providing a gothic backdrop for the drama to unfold. The Rocky Horror Show was another milestone in Broadway's history of darker-themed shows. Its unapologetically weird and dark atmosphere serves as a reminder of Broadway's capacity to push boundaries. Each of these shows, despite their distinct narratives and aesthetics, share a common thread: they embrace the dark, the eerie, and the melancholic.
Among Broadway's current repertoire are a number of shows that delve into the realm of dark aesthetics, often characterized by their use of dark colors, shadowy lighting, and themes of mystery or melancholy. From the eerie ambiance of Little Shop of Horrors to the dystopian underworld depicted in Hadestown, these shows use their stage design to transport audiences into other worlds.
The Eerie Ambiance of Little Shop of Horrors
At the top of our list, we find Little Shop of Horrors. This cult classic Broadway show, based on the 1960 horror comedy film, offers a different side of dark stage design. The show tells the story of Seymour, a hapless florist shop worker who discovers a plant with a rather sinister appetite. The plant, dubbed Audrey II, promises Seymour fame and fortune, but at a steep price. The story, though full of dark humor and catchy doo-wop tunes, is chilling.
Created by Tony® nominee Julian Crouch, a Brooklyn-based theatre designer and director, whose portfolio includes theatre and opera. Crouch’s work in theatre ranges from designing for large-scale productions like Satyagraha at the Metropolitan Opera to more intimate shows like Shockheaded Peter. His designs often draw upon the surreal and the fantastical.
A key element of the design for Little Shop of Horrors is the setting - Skid Row. The use of muted colors, grimy textures, and sparse lighting captures the bleak atmosphere of this impoverished neighborhood and the quirky flower shop, reflecting the desperation that drives the characters' actions.
The centerpiece of the stage design, however, is the carnivorous plant Audrey II. Based on designs by Nicholas Mahon and built by Monkey Boys Productions, Audrey II is played by four puppets of different sizes. By the end of the show, the plant grows to the size of a smart car. The largest version of Audrey II accommodates two puppeteers who manipulate it both laterally and vertically. The sight of a plant large enough to consume a person in one bite reinforces the perilous situation that Seymour finds himself in.
The Underworld Realm of Hadestown
As we continue our journey through the dark aesthetics of Broadway stage design, we arrive at Hadestown, a musical that reimagines ancient Greek mythology through a contemporary lens. Hadestown intertwines the tragic tales of Orpheus and Eurydice, as well as Hades and Persephone, against a dreary, industrial backdrop.
Hadestown presents an intriguing blend of ancient mythology and modern industrial aesthetics. The design features a rotating, multi-layered set inspired by the industrial era. The director, Rachel Chavkin, wanted to create a 360-degree environment that envelops the audience. One of the key design elements she envisioned early on was the swinging lights above the stage.
Rachel Hauck, a seasoned set designer, brings Chavkin's vision to life. Her background in creating settings for Greek mythology-based productions, such as An Iliad in 2012, makes her the ideal pick for this task. Furthermore, her work on Patron Saint of Sea Monsters, a show known for its dark aesthetics, has proven that she can create an atmosphere that is both eerie and fascinating.
Hauck describes Hadestown as "the world of rotting American industry." To achieve this, she drew inspiration from various sources, including photographs of Greek amphitheaters, New Orleans architecture, and life in the Dust Bowl era. The result is a stage that feels like it might have been grand once but is now filled with decay, mirroring the fate of the souls trapped in Hadestown.
Exploring the Shadows: A Look at the Dark Aesthetics in The Outsiders
The magic of the theatre isn't limited to the bright and shiny. This is particularly evident in the stage design of the new musical The Outsiders. Based on S.E. Hinton's novel of the same name, The Outsiders is a classic tale of teenage rebellion and the struggle for acceptance amidst societal norms. The Broadway adaptation of the story upholds the book's raw, edgy essence through its stage design. The show invites audiences to the gritty, run-down world of the Greasers, filled with rafters, scaffolding, and wooden planks, a haunting embodiment of their tough existence. Dramatic use of elements like fire, water, and “gravel,” as well as minimal, stark lighting further intensifies the grim ambiance, creating a palpable tension.
The designers behind the masterpiece, a collective known as the AMP, sought to present a stark, realistic depiction of the story's setting - a rundown neighborhood on the outskirts of Tulsa, Oklahoma. AMP Collective is a conglomerate of multiple designers that work in tandem on creating the scenography for a particular stage show. For this project, the AMP collective joined forces with Tatiana Kahvegian, a Brazilian designer of Armenian descent. Kahvegian brought a unique perspective to the team, blending her cultural experiences with the collective's shared vision.
The term Scenography is used by the AMP collective to describe the form or process of scenic design more accurately. It's not just about setting up a static backdrop for the show. It's about creating a kinetic space that moves through time and synchronizes with the plot of the production.
For The Outsiders, the collective wanted to create a production that felt raw and poetically real. The result was a stage design that was as emotionally charged and dynamically expressive as the story it told.
The exploration of dark aesthetics in Broadway stage design offers a study of how visual elements can enhance narrative and emotional impact in theatre. Experiencing these designs firsthand is a treat that every theatre enthusiast should indulge in. Furthermore, Broadway Inbound offers group discounts, making it an ideal option for school groups, company outings, or just a fun night out with friends. So gather your fellow theatre lovers and get ready to dive into the world of Broadway.