It Was Fun While It Lasted
It’s been said that all good things must come to an end. On June 30, Country Classics will sadly come to an end. The show was chock full of country hits from years gone by and brought back memories of some classic songs and singers.
As one of the final Country Classics shows was being performed in the background, I chatted with Michael Smith, Visual Designer, who oversees lighting, scenery, audio, and video for each Original Show. Michael works closely with Andrea McCormick, Artistic Director (and show creator,) to ensure that Andrea’s overall show vision and concepts become reality and make their way to the stage.
Michael told me that even as Country Classics is winding down, our production teams have been hard at work on our upcoming show, American Icons. Many hours have already been logged in preparation for this new show which opens July 26.
Even before Country Classics ends, scenery for American Icons is already waiting in trucks in the parking lot. Once the final curtain comes down, there’s no time to kick back and relish the success. Our ten-member production crew, lead by Dan Radlbeck, Stage Manager, will immediately shift into high gear, splitting into two teams and working around the clock for about five days to break down the current staging and scenery. It’s pretty much a revolving door – an “out with the old, in with the new” if you will. Michael mentioned that during the last performance, crew members will slowly dismantle and unravel the show as it happens, boxing up any items no longer needed. Once all the “old” scenery has been loaded into the trucks, it will enjoy a well-deserved rest in a local warehouse until it’s called upon for a future show.
In addition to the stage and scenery, the cast and band of Country Classics will also be making changes, preparing for their next “gig.” Most of them already have their next job lined up – several will be back on the AMT stage in American Icons, and have already started the process of learning new songs and music. Some may move on to shows in other states or on cruise ships, while others may take some time off to visit with family and friends or enjoy a long-awaited vacation.
CONGRATULATIONS and THANKS to all who made Country Classics such a success … it may be gone, but it won’t be forgotten.
– Donna
Donna Haefner is a member of American Music Theatre’s Marketing Department. She can be reached at dhaefner@AMTshows.com.