University of Oklahoma Weitzenhoffer School of Musical Theatre

Elsie C. Brackett Theatre

February 9 - 18, 2018

Directed by:  Lyn Cramer

Scenic Designer:  Derek McLane

Costume Designer:  Martin Pakledinaz

Lighting Designer:  Caitlin Coffin

 

 

Nice Work If You Can Get It is a Gershwin musical, adapted from two other stories.  In this classic show, a wealthy playboy encounters a rough-and-tumble bootlegger.  In his drunken state, he inadvertently allows his vacation home to be the new HQ for their bootlegging operation.  The criminals disguise themselves as members of the household, and all seems well until people start to turn up at the house, including the anti-alcohol Vice Squad.  At the end, surprise lovers get together, the bootlegger and the playboy discover what they have been after, and the bootlegger’s boss turns out to be the mother of her new lover.

 

My initial meetings with the director centered around her approach to the story.  She wanted the story told in as traditional a way as possible.  This involved letting the cast and music speak for themselves.  I researched past performances of the show, identifying the things that would shift for our production.  We were using a rented set, which featured very large walls and structures, all of which would hamper our sound routing.

 

We were able to create extra locations for foldback speakers that would ensure the cast would be able to hear the beautiful orchestra.  These locations also served as sources for some of the sound effects that the show needed.  Some effects were situational, while others were more ambient in nature, adding an extra level to some locations.  We also were able to create an effect for the mother’s entrance, giving her the sound of being in a foyer and cutting through the onstage action.

 

With enduring songs and a strong story, this musical was one that didn’t need a lot in the way of enhancement.  We were able to create an audio world that balanced the different elements and told a beautiful story.