Pop Dies in Vegas, sprung from the mind (yes, Zeus-style, as we imagine it to have happened) of
playwright W.M. Akers, is a never-ending cycle of hijinks revolving around the
desperation of two men fallen from the spotlight. Grappling hooks, spray paint, zip lines,
blood and a bevy of weapons litter the crime scene, set in a posh Las Vegas hotel. Set designer Brandon Pietras, shares his thoughts on the show:
playwright W.M. Akers, is a never-ending cycle of hijinks revolving around the
desperation of two men fallen from the spotlight. Grappling hooks, spray paint, zip lines,
blood and a bevy of weapons litter the crime scene, set in a posh Las Vegas hotel. Set designer Brandon Pietras, shares his thoughts on the show:
Squeaky Bicycle: What
was the first thought that came to mind after reading Pop Dies in Vegas?
was the first thought that came to mind after reading Pop Dies in Vegas?
Brandon Pietras: “Oh
man, not another show with blood!”
man, not another show with blood!”
SB: What did
you find the most challenging about the project?
you find the most challenging about the project?
BP: So far,
it’s been finding an affordable way to spray-paint and blood-proof the set. The vision for the design came very quickly
initially, but it’s taken a lot of tweaking and fine tuning. Also, citing everything we need efficiently
in the venue, which is quite small!
it’s been finding an affordable way to spray-paint and blood-proof the set. The vision for the design came very quickly
initially, but it’s taken a lot of tweaking and fine tuning. Also, citing everything we need efficiently
in the venue, which is quite small!
SB: What kind
of research happened for this show?
of research happened for this show?
BP: I looked
through a ton of 1970’s interior design pictures and furniture pictures to get
an idea for the aesthetic, then we narrowed it down to a few images we liked
the best. From there, I picked out color
swatches to inform the design, and used them to create the digital sketches for
the set.
through a ton of 1970’s interior design pictures and furniture pictures to get
an idea for the aesthetic, then we narrowed it down to a few images we liked
the best. From there, I picked out color
swatches to inform the design, and used them to create the digital sketches for
the set.
SB: Favorite
teen heartthrob (current or from your teen years)?
teen heartthrob (current or from your teen years)?
BP: Oof, teen
heartthrob? I don’t know if I was ever the “heartthrob” type but
waaay back in the day I remember thinking Lindsay Lohan was cute in the Parent
Trap, but I wasn’t a teen then. I always
listened to really old music from the 60’s and 70’s so I wasn’t really paying
attention to the Mistys of my day 🙂
heartthrob? I don’t know if I was ever the “heartthrob” type but
waaay back in the day I remember thinking Lindsay Lohan was cute in the Parent
Trap, but I wasn’t a teen then. I always
listened to really old music from the 60’s and 70’s so I wasn’t really paying
attention to the Mistys of my day 🙂
SB: Did you
have a super pop playlist to listen to for inspiration?
have a super pop playlist to listen to for inspiration?
BP: (laughs)No,
I didn’t. It’s hard enough to escape
from Justin Bieber and One Direction on my commute – I didn’t have to go out of
my way to make a playlist!
I didn’t. It’s hard enough to escape
from Justin Bieber and One Direction on my commute – I didn’t have to go out of
my way to make a playlist!
Brandon Pietras graduated from Fordham University in 2012 with a degree in
Pre-Architecture. While at Fordham, he set designed for Bridget Carpenter’s The
Death of the Father of Psycoanalysis (& Anna), and a student written piece
Front Porch Play by Sean-Patrick Monahan. Pop Dies in Vegas is his first project with Squeaky Bicycle Productions.
Pre-Architecture. While at Fordham, he set designed for Bridget Carpenter’s The
Death of the Father of Psycoanalysis (& Anna), and a student written piece
Front Porch Play by Sean-Patrick Monahan. Pop Dies in Vegas is his first project with Squeaky Bicycle Productions.