Maya Romanoff Drape Displayed
When Maya Romanoff, renowned designer of specialty wall treatments and soft sculptures, was commissioned to create an artistic and unconventional main stage drape for the Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Music and Dance Theater Chicago, he came to Chicago Scenic Studios for help. CSSI’s Director of Projects Pete Rahill and Job Lead Debra Miller worked with Maya Romanoff’s Production Manager Gina Panijan, Project Manager Laura Romanoff, and Director of Operations David Berkowitz on the project.

The 35-feet-tall and 85-feet-wide drape was created from fabric called Konoko, a textile Romanoff created from a highly dimensional fabric, hand painted with metallics to create an effect that resembles a moonscape. CSSI faced construction challenges on this job due to the heavy weight and elasticity of the fabric, as well as a short construction time.

CSSI contacted John Hosta, president of Elite Quilting, to help attach the required fire-blocking fabric. Chicago Scenic delivered over 40 six-foot-wide panels to Elite, who attached the flame-blocker in record time. The panels were then returned to Chicago Scenic for resizing and assembly by Debra Miller and stitcher Kim Morris, so they would meet requirements set by the theatre technical staff and Bob Schook of Schuller and Schook, all in time for the opening night at the theater.

The result is a breathtaking organic textile statement that interacts with light in a beautiful and dramatic way. The curtain can be seen at the newly opened theatrer in Chicago’s Millennium Park.

Sinatra Returns to Radio City Music Hall
In an unprecedented partnership, Radio City Entertainment and Sinatra Enterprises dazzled audiences with a production called Sinatra: His Voice. His World. His Way., at Radio City Music Hall. Chicago Scenic Studios was contacted by Radio City Productions to produce several major scenic elements for the show. CSSI Project Manager Ken Zommer worked with Creative Director Des McAnuff and Set Designer Robert Brill on this special project.

The highly innovative and sophisticated show consisted of film and television clips of Frank Sinatra projected on 40-foot-high moveable panels followed by moving projectors, creating images of Sinatra performing and moving around the stage. His voice, separated from recorded musical tracks, was accompanied by a 40-piece live orchestra. Sinatra’s image and voice was brought back to life with larger-than-life imagery, a full ensemble of singers and performers, and the Radio City Rockettes, who were featured dancing with Sinatra on several classic songs. John Pizzarelli was the omnipresent performer and narrator responsible for the convergence of the cinematic technology with the live performance during the show.

The performances were set in the historical, social, and emotional moments of Sinatra’s life and enhanced by the moving images. The scenic elements, created by CSSI, included a 30-foot-tall light-up Sands Hotel sign, a life-size airplane tail, a drink cart, and rolling platforms. Tim Steimle was the job lead on the project and worked closely with Radio City Production Manager Rick Bloom.

The show had a short run in New York and there are hopes to remount the show on the strip in Las Vegas.

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