Laughter on the 23rd Floor
American Stage The Raymond James Theatre St. Petersburg, FL
Lighting design for the 2014 production of Laughter on the 23rd Floor at American Stage, directed by David Russell.
About the Lighting Design
Laughter on the 23rd Floor was an exercise in naturalism. Nothing flashy, nothing theatrical, no concert-energy moments. The design reinforced the set and reinforced the time of day, and that was the whole job. Practical sources where the script asked for them, and daylight or office light where the room called for it.
- Playwright
- Neil Simon
- Director
- David Russell
- Scenic Designer
- Jerid Fox
- Costume Designer
- Kelly Lynn Stukey
- Lighting Designer
- Mike Wood
- Assistant Lighting Designer
- Cody Basham
- Props
- Jerid Fox
- Technical Director
- Timon Brown
About the Show
Neil Simon's 1993 comedy is set in 1953, in the writers' room of a Sid Caesar-like television comedy-variety star named Max Prince. Inspired by Simon's own early career writing for Your Show of Shows, the play follows the staff of writers, including Simon's alter ego Lucas Brickman, as they navigate Max's clashes with the NBC executives who fear his humor is too sophisticated, the McCarthy era's political pressures, network budget cuts, and a host who can't manage to stay sober. The result is an insider's look at the personalities and chaos of early television comedy writing.
Source: Concord
Cast
Chris Jackson as LucasJohn Lombardi as MiltJoseph Parra as ValBrian Webb Russell as BrianLarry Alexander as KennyLauren Wood as CarolKristian Truelsen as Max PrinceMolly Healy as HelenGlenn Gover as Ira
Production Photos
Press
Mike Wood's lights dim when Lucas speaks to the audience, then rise again on chaotic normalcy.