Marks & Vincentelli: A Theatre Podcast

A chat with Beowulf Boritt


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Sets: Sometimes, they get their own entrance applause — but does it mean they are, you know, good?

This week we talked about what makes a set work with the designer Beowulf Boritt, whose new book is “Transforming Space Over Time: Set Design and Visual Storytelling with Broadway’s Legendary Directors.”

Beowulf has worked at all the biggest regional houses and his first Broadway show was “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” in 2005. He has five Tony nominations and one win, for James Lapine’s “Act One” — yes, we talked about that production.

You may also have seen his work in shows as diverse as “Be More Chill,” “Come From Away” and Saheem Ali’s “Merry Wives” at the Delacorte (that one was captured for PBS). Beowulf just did the set for LaTanya Richardson Jackson’s “The Piano Lesson” on Broadway, to be followed there by “Mike Birbiglia: The Old Man & The Pool” in November and Kenny Leon’s staging of “Ohio State Murders” in December. He’s a busy guy and we’re glad he stopped by to talk to us about his art.

Fun reading from your pals at the podcast:

Elisabeth wrote a preview of “300 el x 50 el x 30 el” at BAM, and the show delivered way above her expectations: the one to beat this season in sheer theatrical terms.

Peter loved the Broadway revival of “Death of a Salesman” starring Wendell Pierce and Sharon D Clarke. He was quite keen on Jeffrey Page and Diane Paulus’s “1776” as well.

Thanks to Christian Huygen for our theme music.



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Marks & Vincentelli: A Theatre PodcastBy Marks & Vincentelli