Directed by Joe Mantello, the show features a cast of 34 performers, with a 24-piece band, plus a new 101-slot Cadac J-Type Live Production Console, supplied by ProMix-Electrotec. The console is specified with a combination of 35 programmable stereo and mono dual-input modules, 48 standard dual-input modules, 67 motor faders and 14 groups, housed in two frames and controlled with Cadac's Sound Automation Manager (SAM) software.
Meola's hallmark is subtlety, aiming to ensure that the sound appears to come from the performer on stage rather than visible loudspeaker stacks. With Wicked, he concentrates on enhancing the show's lively musical mix, across rock numbers, ballads and pop, all performed by a rock band with woodwind, strings and brass overtones. He explains: "This show is a real blend of musical styles, with a rock'n'roll sound set against a 19th century background. It's a wonderful mix that goes back to the rock opera style of musical that we first saw with Les Mis in the early 80s, with a little electronic wizardry thrown in for good measure! When we first started work on the show in San Francisco, things were a bit scary - all thanks to the dragon! The dragon is positioned at the centre of the proscenium, meaning that we couldn't position a centre cluster as I would prefer. As a result, I used the Meyer M1-D line array for the first time on this show, and it was good to have Meyer just across the Bay as we experimented with the system for the first time. But it all worked really well, and we got the sound we wanted, which makes the transfer much easier.
"It's a big show - we have more automated modules on the Cadac than ever before - and we had some real fun putting the whole thing together. I wanted to create a mechanical sound to all the effects, using a cacophony of creaking and groaning wood-based sounds to create an eerie impression of the various animals, other strange creatures, the inside workings of the clock etc. . . . There are a lot of effects and we do a lot of it live during the show - for example, we put the Wizard's voice out of the sampler dry and then through the effects processor. The tools we have available today let you be creative, as you know you can rely on them and concentrate on what you want to do."
The sound system for Wicked also includes 36 Sennheiser SK-5012 radio microphones, and a comprehensive selection of Meyer Sound loudspeakers, with the M-1D line array system at the core. Meola's sound design makes extensive use of MM-4s in particular, located all around the theatre to convey the impression of the Wizard's voice coming out of every space.
Meola's team on the show includes associate sound designer Kai Harada, head operator Douglas Graves, plus Jack Babin, Shannon Slaton, Adam Rigby and John Curvan. The show opens on 30 October 2003.
(Lee Baldock)
