Oh, The Places Seussical Will Go!

We’re flying high at Notre Dame these days...literally! Director Lou Gibilisco has always been known to reach for the stars when it comes to Notre Dame’s musical productions, and this time he is getting there with the help of a harness.

The show with a flying harness is, of course, Stephen Flaherty’s Seussical. “Mr. G,” as he’s known at school, left nothing to chance and hired the world’s foremost experts in airborne effects, Flying by Foy, to provide training for the off-the-ground sequences. This is the same flying company that Mr. G used for Peter Pan two years ago.

“There are so many opportunities for Seuss characters to literally pop out of the page and onto the stage that only flying effects can provide. I wanted to include flying in the production, and I wanted it done by the best,” said Gibilisco. Flying by Foy has worked on everything from Broadway shows to NASA simulations. Recently, they have flown Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry in concerts as well as Taylor Swift at the CMAs.

Although flying looks easy, it is very difficult. Plenty of time was given to create and test the set, as well as train and rehearse the actors. Everyone needed to feel comfortable that flying could be done safely, since it’s one special effect that is still done by hand. That is the reason for the Flying Director role. Bonnie Tormey resumes her role from Notre Dame’s Peter Pan to lead a staff of technicians to make sure everything is connected and hooked. Someone, in addition to the actors, always checks the equipment before the actors take flight. A second pair of eyes is critical, and Mrs. Tormey gets everyone involved in the safety watch. There are two rig operators for each person flying, and both the performer and riggers learn to feel each other’s impulses in movement. Everything is considered–other performers, costumes, a piece of scenery–when it comes to safety before, during and after flying.

David Chebra, Notre Dame’s Technical Director and Scenic Designer, had some added design considerations due to the flight sequences of the Dr. Seuss characters. “The characters have some madcap moments that require the set components to work together flawlessly,” said Chebra. Between the many flying locations in the play, there are plenty of chances to see the precise craftsmanship of Mr. Chebra and his crew. One thing’s for sure...time isn’t the only thing sure to fly while watching Notre Dame’s production of Seussical!