Building a new bohème

Scenic carpenter Eli Yaffe

Crew members are busy constructing the set for the Company’s all new production of La bohème, which opens the season on September 13.

Due to the hot and humid Missouri weather, our talented construction crew has been working a heat schedule that begins at 6:00 a.m., five days a week. Construction began on July 7th to ensure that the set is completed in time for opening night. The extreme heat and mosquito problems have not dampened the spirits of the crew, but they do look forward to working in air-conditioning when the Company’s new production facility at 18th & Charlotte Streets in the East Crossroads neighborhood is completed.

Bohemian garret in progress

Much progress has been made, and you can easily compare the beginnings of the iconic garret shown here with R. Keith Brumley’s set drawings.

Behind the scenes of La bohème

We recently had an opportunity to interview R. Keith Brumley, director of design and technical production for the Lyric Opera of Kansas City.

Keith describes the process by which he designed the upcoming all new production of La bohème how the Company’s new production facility will improve construction and rehearsal efficiency, and how his work contributes earned income to the Company’s bottom line.

Keith also gives us a sneak preview of his drawings for the set design for La bohème (click on the thumbnails to see enlarged images).

Act I and IV: The garret (c) Lyric Opera Kansas City

Act II: Cafe Momus (c) Lyric Opera of Kansas City

Act III: The Paris gates (c) Lyric Opera of Kansas City

Home is where you hang your horns!

When we purchased our new building on 18th street between Holmes and Charlotte in downtown Kansas City last spring, we were excited that the 30,000 square foot structure would eventually house all Lyric components - rehearsals space, set, prop and costume construction rooms, as well as offices. However, we hadn’t planned on moving in this soon.

When our good Samaritan rehearsal room provider, Trinity United Methodist Church undertook renovations, we knew we would not be able to work in a noisy construction environment. Consequently, within two weeks time we cleaned up and outfitted our former commercial electrical warehouse to suit our needs, which included rehearsal space for over 100 principal singers, choristers and supernumeraries.

An added bonus has been our ability to rehearse on part of the set under construction, as well as paint, sew and build in other parts of the vacant building. Already we are reaping the benefits of having all our creative activities in one place.

As you might guess, nothing about Verdi’s AIDA is small scale!