Broadway Bound...From Illustration to Goodman Theater Set

© 2014 Steven Duncan, Lake House Studio

When I illustrated this paper, back in 2015, I never imagined that a Tony© Award-winning set director would contact me for the rights to use it as the set design for his latest play.  The paper was part of a series of illustrations I created about life in 1950 era New York City. In the summer of 2016 it was turned into an amazing set for Leonard Bernstein's musical Wonderful Town at Chicago's famous Goodman Theater.

I have to admit I was stunned to see the amazing set Todd Rosenthal, Tony© award winner for best set design of August: Osage County on Broadway, created from this illustration. He took the tall buildings and set them on rollers Throughout the play they were moved around to give fresh perspectives of the NYC skyline. The clouds and airplanes moved across the set throughout the play and the cast moved around the city on the taxis, actually cutouts adhered to skateboards. The play ran through October 2016 and is in negotiations to move to Broadway.

Scenes from The Goodman Theater's production of Wonderful Town. Set inspired by my illustration Broadway Bound.

Tony© Award-wining set designer Todd Rosenthal and me backstage in front of the Chrysler Building at The Goodman Theater.

Chicago's  Goodman Theater

Me hamming it up outside the Goodman Theater before a performance of Wonderful Town.

A video clip showcasing the set inspired from my illustration and an amazing and talented cast.