How does sound design for legitimate theatre and Broadway musicals compare to working with Cirque?
Well, my only project that went to Broadway was Peter Pan with Cathy Rigby, but I’ve done other musicals, including one with Randy Newman’s music that involved some new uses of technology. I try to see if I can get maybe 10 percent of each show to be something new, something I’ve never tried before. That stimulates my creativity, and helps me to learn and grow. Theater is great for bringing up new ideas. Working here at the Pasadena Playhouse is great, because I have ready access to a venue where I can try out new ideas. I came from the theatre originally: I went to theatre school in Canada. Although over the years I’ve mademy living doing rock and roll and this whole new approach to the circus, my starting point has always been theatre. Of your past designs, which would you call your favorite? Perhaps you could pick one Cirque show and one from theatre. For a play or musical, I would say Education of Randy Newman was a good show for me, because it was a successful use of new technolog
