After the Applause

The lighting design by Michael Arden and Jen Schriever changes throughout acts one and two, moving from bright light to very dim, dark lighting, with colorful red and blue lights during more mellow or darker scenes. It fits perfectly into the storyline of love, loss, wanting to belong, and found family.

The phenomenal scenic design by Dane Laffrey brings the stage to life. The sets move backward, forward, up, and down into the space as scenes change, making you feel like you are part of the story itself alongside the characters.

I can’t forget to mention the score and orchestrations by The Rescues and Ethan Popp. Every beat and tune lives rent-free in my head, and the lyrics make you relate to the characters on a deeper level. The songs make you smile and cry, from the upbeat numbers that make you want to dance in your seat to the more emotional moments.

The costume designs by Ryan Park and his team show attention to detail in every seam and stitch. Every outfit fits each character perfectly, including the ensemble members’ various costumes, from the ghosts of people David had killed to the superhero costumes with Sam’s name on them.

The choreography by Lauren Yalango-Grant and Christopher Cree Grant, along with the blocking within each scene, shows how the characters’ connections strengthen or how they are pulled apart from one another.

The makeup by Christina Grant and her team is another incredible detail, from the blood and smoky eyes on the vampires to the colorful, bold makeup worn by the ensemble actors. The contrast and differences between the characters add even more depth to the world of the musical.