Friday, October 7, 2011

Extreme Vegas Says Goodbye to the 2011 Big E

Oct of 2010 Mr. Wayne McCary the President of the BIG E called us discussing ideas to bring something completely different to the 2011 BIG E.
Over the next months Daniela & I spent many late nights creating drawings for Sets, Costumes, Illusions & overall production concepts.. 
We created a list of people we wanted to work with, people we knew we could trust and people that would help us WOW the BIG E!...
Jump forward to Sunday Oct 2nd as I stand on stage amazed that everything we worked so hard to create over the last year had flown by so fast and it was coming to an end. 

As I stood onstage in front of what I was told the largest closing night crowd ever at the Court of Honor Stage, I was humbled and a bit sad to say goodbye to all the people who made the show such a huge hit! with nearly every performance ending in a unexpected Standing Ovation the response from the audience was the ultimate thank you for our many endless nights creating & rehearsing this show.. 
But I am writing this to say Thank you to the people who really made this show come together... 

To Mr Wayne McCary,
thank you for your Invitation and opportunity to bring Theater to a Fair!
The reaction was better then I ever expected! Thank you for the opportuntiy & compliments!


To my beautiful wife Daniela, the costuming you designed & created was stunning! I have never heard so many people ask "where did you get those costumes!"  all your support and guidance as you brought me back down to earth when my ideas got a bit out of control! LOL
I have never seen anybody work as hard as you have over this last year.. You made me so proud watching you on stage every show!  I promise a vacation is on the books soon!

To the backbone and hardest working production manager any show could have, Mr. Alex Branco thank you for your complete devotion to the show.. and opening this show on only 4 hrs of sleep! We could not have done this without you & I mean that! You are not only a great help But a great friend!

To Stephanie Bennett, flying half way around the world to work 13hr days while jet lagged is not something I thought anybody would have done for us.. But not only did you do it.. you were Full On 110% every single show..  The many late nights in the Stardust Theater creating choreography for this show, was not forgotten the chorey was exactly what we wanted,  and being on stage with you again was awesome! You definately Rocked Up for this Steph! Thank you so much

Shauna, Marisa & Andrea
You guys all looked amazing.. and I thank you for your professionalism onstage you all were superb even on the cold nights & early mornings..  you all really made us look good. 
(even when you had me cracking up!) Daniela & I found it a true pleasure to work (and have fun) with all of you!

To Luke, Leo & Sandra.. if it wasnt for your long rehearsals 
we never would have known this all was going to work! 
it all started with the 4 of you!

To all our Lighting, Sound & Backstage Techs, 
Bill, Scott, Pete, Cole, Keith, Jack
once again not possible to create a show like this if we are all not on the same page working together pushing for that same goal.. and your support to get teh show up & running & then improve the show as days went on was more then I could ask for you guys rocked!   thank you..

To the Backstage Security Team. 
Thank you for keeping our girls safe.. and escorting them thru the sometimes crazy crowds.. 
it was an unexpected neccessity! thank you

Thank you to Don Capone for that amazing Voice of Extreme Vegas!

Bill Smith & Jack Murray, Amazing Job the Illusions were a huge hit! 

My friends at Figure 53 thank you for making a Complicated show run completely automated
and yet still remain a full Live show!  QLAB is Fantastic!

Doug Zinn The Sets came out Great!  Thank you for your patients with our ever changing designs!

And last but not least.. 
To my amazing parents Susan & Davide Zoppe
Your support and help at home has not been forgotten im sure you look forward to having your
space back and 20 road cases out of your garage! LOL yes Dad Sun damage on the vehicles I know, I know! LOL  Seriously thank you for making the drive from Florida to see the show it was so nice to see you in the crowd!  Also your help with the huge tear down is so appreciated... I love you guys!

To the entire cast of E.V. 2.0  
I honestly had the time of my life.. I have never had so much fun backstage in any show.. 
my sides hurt from laughing every performance..
Onstage it was 100% PRO attitude.. on the wings.. it was Total Bloody Choas! LOL but it made the start of each show an exiciting adventure to see what was going to happen! 

Thank you all.. I look forward to Extreme Vegas 3.0!