x
Breaking News
More () »

Inside The Muny design studio

It's the backdrop for those rumbles between the jets and the sharks. Something that might seem rather simple until you step into the shoes of the show's scenic designer.

By Heidi Glaus

ST. LOUIS (KSDK) - It's the backdrop for those rumbles between the jets and the sharks. Something that might seem rather simple until you step into the shoes of the show's scenic designer.

"This is a computer model of The Muny space with everything photo shopped into it," explained Robert Mark Morgan, the scenic designer for West Side Story.

He actually started doing research for the show six months ago.

"These are old diners," Morgan said going through a folder.

No detail is forgotten and every single piece of scenery has a purpose.

"I think people underestimate sometimes just how much planning goes into doing the show from start to finish," Morgan said.

It all starts with sketches.

"From there we kind of work towards getting this model built. The set outside is literally 48 times larger than this," he pointed out.

But the miniature model is what the director can play with.

"We can sit in rehearsal and say when this pivots out like this then we'll play a scene with Tony and Maria singing right there," Morgan added.

From that model, 35 carpenters and painters bring it to life outside his office window.

"It's a collaborative art and without them I just stay with the dollhouse, that's all we get," Morgan said.

So he makes many trips from The Muny design studio to the lot.

"I'll get a phone call can you can you come look at this, is this what you were thinking?" Morgan added.

For the record, it usually is, actually it's even better than he imagined.

Before You Leave, Check This Out