michelle ward

Bergdorf Goodman Holiday Windows 2014

We visited over Thanksgiving weekend.  An annual venture into the city just to see these windows, with the girls - Fallon and my mom.  They were spectacular.  There is so much more to experience in real life versus what the lens can capture, especially with the glare of the glass.  To be there is very special.  We make the train ride in, then subway uptown to catch Bergdorf Goodman and Barney's, then make our way down 5th Avenue for more visual delights at Tiffany's and others, stopping in at Anthropologie at Rockefeller Center....spy the tree being strung with lights, then head over to Bryant Park for the seasonal pop-up shops.  A great kick off to the holiday season.

The theme this year at BG is Inspiration:  The Arts.  Hero shots of the windows by photographer Ricky Zehavi.  To learn how she creates these photos see 5th/58th blog post from 2013 HERE.  For a really generous look behind the scenes, in case you missed it, see the Wall Street Journal article HERE.  Works-in-progress and sketches!  Swoon.

 

 

I realize many of you may have never been to the city to see this retail marvel, so here is how the windows appear in context from across the street.

 

First from the left is Literature.  The monochromatic color palette is so strong, which actually allows you to notice all the textural details within - everything is made from fabric and thread.  All the portraits are embroidered or needlepointed!  Rich and luscious velvets everywhere.  Books are fabric with threaded words. Crochet and felted busts and creatures keep the lady company, next to a gigantic typewriter.

 

 

 

My favorite...the Architecture window.  All paper.  Blueprints.  Models.  Tools.  Dimensional and inventive. The phrenology twins make their appearance in this one.  (It's a search every year to see where they will surface.)  Fabulous structures in every scale.  Two composite figures that made me swoon, reminiscent of Nicolas de Larmessin but in 3-D.  The juxtaposition of all the various elements makes you want to stay a while until you think you've caught every detail.  Then you want to stay longer.  

 

 

 

The Theater window was colorful and dynamic.  A terrific tribute to the city and Broadway.  Flashing, strobing, moving neon.  My online friend Demetrios, Production Manager Windows, was involved with this one and wrote that he enjoyed learning what can be done with electric lights.  I know he is a prolific paper artist so it must have been a blast to venture into new materials.  Making shapes with color and glass and light?  Fun!

 

Painting.  An entire window of white washed props, tools, artist's models....then a painting brought to life with color.  But Look again.  It's a canvas painting of a canvas being painted.  And tucked behind is another miniature artist.  Massive articulated man and horse...small ones too. So much depth and so many secrets hiding in this one.  

 

 

 

Music.  Shiny sparkley silvery.  You can imagine the finesse it took to assemble this one - likely with white gloves.  They HAD to have rehearsed this off set to get the symmetry just right.  Amazing!!

 

 

This offers a visual narrative of the five main windows.  The side windows included Photography, Film, Calligraphy, Gastronomy, Cartography, Dance, Sculpture.  They thought of everything.  The Arts - very Inspiring.  Thank Bergdorf Goodman for another array of delicious windows to rev up the excitement and stir the spirit leading up to the holidays.  

more windows

This year Bergdorf Goodman took on ICE as their running theme throughout the holiday windows.  The fabricated icicles look real, and even slightly wet, and must have been a huge project.  Frosty finishes might have been easier, but BG always goes the extra mile with amazing detail.  Their icy items are clear - amazing.  Halloween was my favorite - with the actual BG building as the main star, formerly a Vanderbilt mansion.  If you visit their blog, you can read more about the festivities of opening night, where they actually had a 'reveal' celebration of pulling back the curtain, with aerial acrobats descending the facade of the building.  Finally!  I love to see that they've claimed the event as an EVENT. 

The large and perfect photos I'm presenting here have been borrowed from the BG blog - credits to Ricky Zehavi.  I always wondered how she was able to get non-glare, non-skewed, stellar photos of the full windows.  Details about how she does it are shared HERE. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

tis the season....windows

While Mom and Dad visited for Thanksgiving, us girls spent a day in the city for a fun meal, a Broadway show, and of course viewing the holiday windows.  First up is Tiffanys.  They have smallish windows in comparison to other stores on 5th Avenue but they manage to step out of the little (blue) box.  One year they popped out from the frames as if a carousel was emerging from the facade - an amazing spectacle.  This season they covered the entire buiding with a decal, yes....a press-on sticker, to alter the architectural impression.  Amazing!  Clever!  The dispays behind the glass were simply enchanting.  Tiny rows of white brick homes, with glowing street lights and warmly lit windows.  And of course, the jewels.

 

 

Next:  Bergdorf Goodman

Bergdorf Goodman Holiday Windows 5 of 5

Black and white and paper everywhere!  Subtle sneaky details and high-impact-cleverly-crafted objects all fabricated from paper.  Scholarly and scientific in theme, an altered artist had a hand in this one.  Look at the evidence - numerous books have been sliced and manipulated with precision.  The backdrop and inner lining of the display is a library wall reproduction, and the frame is comprised of reference book pages under an architectural detail.  Handsome labels are posted throughout.  Scores of animals are presented in pulp that has been cut, shaped, shredded, feathered, and embossed.  A bespeckled swordfish, a proud peacock, dashing ostrich, and prancing zebra grab your attention at first glance, but stick around to see all the other remarkable creatures emerging from the shadows.  I loved this one!  Mr. Hoey is spied making some adjustments - he sees me taking photos and mouths "don't shoot".  Ha!  He is not only talented, he is funny too.  

 

 

And because this was so amazing....

 

 

Demetrios ~ if you stop by here, *high five* to you!  Spectacular!!

Bergdorf Goodman Holiday Windows 4 of 5

This glorious window was difficult to photograph since nearly every surface was reflective.  Bronze, copper, brass and gold birds of every variety, sit on perches and in cages, and some are caught in flight.  A band of animals, some with trumpets, horns, and an upright bass, pose and play.  In the back a large metal set of a moon and sun oversee the performance of the feather and charm clad singers.  Loved the music stands and microphones.  It's a jungle of copper palm fronds and ferns, with a floor of pennies.  And how about that frame assembled with fishing spinners?  Heavy metal meets the Copacabana. 

 

One more to go...I saved my favorite for last.

Bergdorf Goodman Holiday Windows 3 of 5

I wish I would have taken a photo of this block of windows from across 5th Avenue.  The underwater scene stood out from the distance with its vibrant shades of blue.  It looked like it was plugged in.  This labor intensive vignette is encrusted with jewels from every angle.  To begin at the bottom - the ocean floor is certainly not sand, but heaps of sea glass from bottle green to cobalt.  Then every surface is mosaic-covered - the waves that frame the window, as well as each finned or clawed specimen found swimming or crawling amongst the pricey gems dripping from the abundant coral.  Scales fabricated from glass, mirror, metal, faux gems, and pearls are applied in inventive and handsome patterns.  Those iridescent shells of every shape and size, plus those starfish would be a treasure to find washed up on shore!  Dress by McQueen, of course.

 

  

 

Bergdorf Goodman Holiday Windows 2 of 5

Winter in the mountains, in a lush velvet surrounded oasis, with a very posh dessert caterer with well-mannered monkeys....the thing of dreams, right?  From full size friendly polar bears, and moose, to the smaller creatures who peek out from under the icicles, every inch is beaded or crocheted or tassled or fringed or lace-covered.  The seal serves up the tea or you can have champagne, or both!  Why not?  The decadent treats, fit for a royal wedding, await you in this wonderland.

 

 

Bergdorf Goodman Holiday Windows 1 of 5

I'm not even sure how many windows surround Bergdorf Goodman...there are long ones on the two sides, then some small and some narrow ones on 5th, and there are many at the men's store across the street...but the stars are the five main windows.  I've heard they work more than a year on the props and designs and details, and that it takes two weeks to install.  We actually saw Mr. Hoey in one of the windows...crouched down on his knees...moving things around.  Then we saw him in the store so I was able to bow down in a Wayne's-World-style "I'm not worthy" gesture.  He paused with a questioning face and all I could say was "You are the Master".  He grinned.

This year's theme:  Carnival of Animals.  Here is the first of five...

 

"Artists and Models" ~ You can imagine how amazing this was with layers upon layers of visual interest. Warm and wonderful with articulated figures and animals - frozen in poses in numerous scales.  The frames are slatted shutters and pine cones - so clever.  When you look closely, which you have to do, you spy old carving tools and curls of shaved wood.  I could practically smell it.  Genius.

Wednesday is for Wizards

It's a girls night out to see Wicked!  Looking forward to the show, but first we will be off to see another wizard - David Hoey, the magician behind the windows at Bergdorf Goodman.  This year's theme:  Carnival of Animals.  Sneak peek below.  More HERE.  *swoon*, right?

 

tues times two

 

I worked on pages last week, but never uploaded them, so today I'm showing two spreads.  I've enjoyed playing with the spheres - this time with color.   To work with xeroxed images it is best to water down your acrylic paint, then iron dry before attempting to cut.  Way below you will more peeks at the Bergdorf Goodman windows that inspired the pages.

 

 

 

 

I promise to show more of the windows soon!  Had a wonderful day with friends in the city Saturday.  Andrew guided us to places I had never been like the Chelsea Market, and the High Line.  So fun to be with creatives!  You get used to visiting the same old destinations, then suddenly it is like a new place.  I was worn out, and trained it home many bags of goodies.  Thank you friends for a real blast.  Pictured here:  Katherine, from my much-talked-about-favorite-place Valley Ridge, Beryl Taylor, and Andrew Borloz.

 

bergdorf windows sneak peek

I have a few things to get done this week then I will edit and share my photos from the annual visit to the Bergdorf Goodman holiday windows.  They do LARGE so well, but this year I was most impressed with their small windows.  This is a peek from one of them.....

 

This all cut paper.  Fragile.  Delicate.  Clever.  *swoon*

The Addams Family was spectacular!  The set, the stage, the cast.  While movies may dazzle us, live theater continues to amaze me.  The things they can do with curtains and props and costumes blows me away.  Nathan and Bebe rocked as Gomez and Morticia. 

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  We were with my parents - such a blessing to have them here.  December is a few days away....who is ready?

the learning curve.....

Whew boy!  I have been a lucky girl!  I am writing this post from my new laptop....and added details to this photo using a new version of photoshop!  I am trying not to let the learning curve of these devices make me crabby because it's all good. 

Yesterday Fallon and I finally made it into the city to see the Bergdorf Goodman windows.  We shared the experience with two treasured friends, Bonnie and Anne.   What fun it was to be there with artists....we were supposed to go earlier in the month with Lisa but I got sick :(   I have alot of editing to do before the photos are ready to present.  This year Fallon was the photographer.  If you get a chance to see the windows in the next week or so (before they change them out) do it!  If you can't make it then check back here in the following days for Fallon's perspective.  You may remember my posts from last year HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE.  A sneak peek of 2009.......*swooooooon*.

Hope Santa was good to you.  No coal here, that's for sure.

masters of illusion

 

I think Bergdorf has a total of 14 windows (edit: 18 windows!).  What a task to complete these scenes.  They change over several times a year - the holiday windows are worth a visit.  The 5th Avenue showcases will mesmerize you, but don't forget to go around the other two sides!  I wish you could get a sense of the dimension on these - lots of layers, lots of huge props, and tiny details.

 

 

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

The backdrops for these windows are enlargements from one of my favorite clipart books.  I adore the white windows on 5th Avenue, but I swooned at all the black&white&red on 57th.

 

  

We make the journey by train into the city every December just to see the windows, but we were lucky to catch them this year in November.  Hope you've enjoyed the illusion from your chair, wherever you are.  It's been a visually intensive few posts but I wanted to show you as much as I could - it's hard to capture the total wonderfulness with my humble camera, the glare, and other window gazers about.  How dare they get in my way?  Here are a few more from 5th Avenue, and 58th Street.

 

 

All credit for the Bergdorf Goodman holiday windows goes to Linda Fargo and David Hoey and their team of visual magic makers.  I saw David directing positioning of props and really wanted to interrupt for a fangirl moment and autograph but I could tell he was trying to beat the clock.  Very cool to see him right out on the street while hands behind the glass moved things around in the larger-than-life assemblage art.  I have seen a few local newscasts covering the window displays with sneak peeks into the workrooms.  This morning they interviewed David and he said it takes 9 months to prepare the Christmas windows, and they do it to entertain and inspire.  Mission accomplished!

Linda has a book, Dreams Through the Glass, that is hard-to-find (copies go for around $100).  I wish they would release a yearly publication with professional photos of the overall windows, the details and secrets hidden in each vignette, and some behind-the-scenes shots.  I'd buy it, wouldn't you?

Oh, and I dug up a photo taken of the phrenology heads from the 2006 holiday windows, wonder where they'll show up next:

 

   EDIT:  an article about Fargo and Hoey from 2007 HERE.

spring's aviary

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Almost done.  Can you imagine how much fun it was to compile this stuff?  I notice a few repurposed things from previous years, like the phrenology heads.  Very cool.  Told ya, *swoon*. 

iridescent summer

  

  

  

  

  

My fave is next - Spring.  After that I'll show you the 57th Street side windows, more swooning. 

the moons of autumn

 

  

  

 

 

After the Windows, we took rode a rickshaw to dinner, and walked the busy streets to Madison Square Garden for Cirque du Soleil:  Wintuk.  This was my 3rd CDS, but the first that had a skateboard ramp and BMX-style bikers, and a grand finale with snowflake confetti which dropped throughout the entire audience!

 

Still more windows to follow.....

  

painting winter

 

  

  

   

 

 

More tomorrow........

tip of the iceberg

The five main windows at BG are all white.  Summer, Spring, Autumn, Winter, and Holiday.  Breathtaking.  Wonderous.  Over-the-top cool.  Here is "Holiday":

 

  

  

  

  

Much more to come.............. 

In another life.....

...I would have liked to have been a Window Dresser.  Back in my interior design days I got to prop out model condos....it was the closest I got to the fleeting fantasticness.  I never got to witness Lisa's store but I can imagine she had killer windows.  Before I show you some of the pictures from the Window Watching last weekend I want to remind you of two cool books on the subject:  Dreams Through the Glass by Linda Fargo of Bergdorf Goodman, and Confessions of a Window Dresser by Simon Doonan of Barneys.  There are more...but that's a good start. 

It's really hard to get good pictures of windows when your purpose is to show what's inside.  I'll just say that it's worth the trip into the city every Christmas just to see what Bergdorf Goodman will blow us away with.  The other department stores have respectable vignettes, but BG is the master.  I only have a few shots to show you today, but you get the idea. 

Their theme this year was Tony Duquette, famed interior designer who....well, read up on him HERE.  The five main windows were set as Air Water Fire Earth and Light, design directed by David Hoey.  The side windows are always just as interesting.  CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO, showing some behind-the-scenes and commentary about the 2007 windows. 

Details of shells along the window frame and back wall taken just for Lisa.

The windows around one side were based on opposites.  There was Naughty or Nice, Fact or Fiction, and this: Lady or Tiger.

My most favorite thing was a mini display in one of the niche-type windows at the front of the store where they had jewelry or something showcased.  I didn't even notice because I was too star struck with the other details.  The white valance here is cut from PAPER....and as Jenny noted, even the tassles were made from cut and rolled paper.  Like these tassles were about 1/2" long.  And check out the fringe!  Utterly cool.  With all this glamour and fuss, the take-away for me was this one little thing. 

We know they work all year long getting ready for the unveiling late November, and then Poof!  The windows are filled with something else by January.  I can imagine how much fun it must be to gather all this cool stuff, have items fabricated, and then install them.  Don't ya wonder where it all goes after? 

In case you missed the link above, go see this video clip:  HERE  I've seen a few documentaries on the holiday windows over the years.  I think it's Lord & Taylor that have their displays on a hydraulic lift that drops down to the basement level where they can work on them out-of-view until they are ready to be hoisted back into position.  I vote for a t.v. special every year showing us all the windows of all major department stores  around the world and the clever artists who make them happen.  In fact, the product displays within a store are just as fascinating, regardless of the season, so there could be a whole television series showing us something inventive about retail merchandising every week!  Someone call Bravo.  (Or did I miss something and they already have a show about that?)

Visions of Sugarplums......

Today I took my daughter Fallon (right) and her friend Theresa to the city for a day of capturing the holiday spirit.  It's a ritual to visit the Christmas windows in New York City, but I do not recall ever being there when it was 59 degrees like today.  Here we are are on New Jersey Transit making the 50 minute ride from home, kids ride free on weekends!   And those wicked cool Vans?  They are mine, ready for a full day of walking.

First stop, Bergdorf Goodman to see what Linda Fargo conjured up, pouring her fertile imagination into brimming vignettes under glass.  The first two photos are from a Twin themed scenario.  I wish I could have captured every little detail to show you as it was simply breathtaking, clever, and utterly handsome.  Two of everything from the paired mannequins to the top hatted doves holding miniature old fashioned cameras.  The double vision phrenology heads was genius.  The black and white really lending itself to the discovery of the many nuances within.  Picture 3 is a glimpse into the series of circus windows rounding the corner.  Love this performer in her top hat and starry eyes.  Last photo showing a winged bust amongst a plethora of rusty, decaying, perfectly imperfect toys and memorabilia.

Within the store was this magnificent bird - perhaps an albino peacock or large pheasant.  Not sure I was welcome to shoot photos so I hastily snapped these two and legged it for the door.  The last is a view from the outside.....no detail overlooked here.

Another set of photos from a Gingerbread wonderland window.  You could almost smell this as you stood in amazement.  Check out the sepia architectural print of the elaborate frosted home (photo 3). 

Around the far side at Bergdorf's there are much tamer windows.  But I had to show you this one......remember when Fallon and I had our Gotham day in November?  I was wishing I could have popped into the open window for a quick shot of ME sitting on that loveseat.  Second picture shows you the photo I took when the access door was open.  Third is another Fargo window....not too Christmas-y but over-the-top in fabulousness.  Fourth shows you what we first saw when approaching the Barney's windows.....their theme this year:  Happy Andy WarHol-idays.  Can you stand that gigantic Fornasetti face on a tray?

Andy and his prints, and quotes, covering every spare inch in these Barney's windows.  Since I was carrying my soup bag I had to pose.  Should have been wearing my soup shoes too.  Terrific tribute to this icon, although not so Christmas-y.  Still - I wouldn't have missed it.  The girls didn't quite get it, had to explain who he was.

Between Bergdorf's and Barney's we made a little side trip into Tiffanys.  Well, it was going to be a little side trip....simply because Fallon recently saw Breakfast at Tiffanys and fell in love with Audrey.  But - we were stopped at the door by a terrific salesman who handed the girls a catalog, gave them a little speech about Tiffanys being a classic, and even would be stylish for a girl who was into Goth, as he notes Fallon's skull and crossbone bangle she's wearing.  He sent us up to the third floor where the girls could try on bracelets and fondle the silver charms.  I'm amazed I didn't cave and buy something as it was such a sweet little excursion.

We skipped Bloomingdales as I was worried the little legs would tire out so we headed down Fifth Avenue to Saks.  Didn't get any good pictures because there were too many people around.  I can't stand people in my pictures!  Next to Saks is the American Girl store.  Definitely a great place to visit (we even had a birthday party there) but it's crazy in there at this time of year.  We merely went in so Theresa could say she'd been there.  Next - Rockefeller Center and the famous tree overlooking the skaing rink.  Massive crowds in this section of town and all the way down to Times Square.  The photos above are taken at the Royalton Hotel.  44 W. 44th Street.  What a great address.  Graham and I stayed here the weekend we got engaged and I took the girls in to show them it's coolness.  I mean, look at the guest hallway!  The walls and ceiling and carpet are all royal blue and it makes you feel like you have to whisper.  A wonderful 15 minute respite from the bustle....plus they have a lovely restroom off the lobby.  You need to know where you can make pit-stops when you're on foot in the city. 

Here we are in a bicycle-driven rickshaw.  Fun night to be riding in style down Broadway.  Our destination was Union Square to see Bright Nights, a light and sound event sponsored by Target, featuring artist Tord Boontje.  You've seen his awesome paper cut decor all over Target this year, and his graphic elements don all holiday labels this season.  The coolest stuff.  This presentation was hard to capture as it's an interactive light show that moves and reacts to you as walk through the space.  I did get some video of it and may try to upload it to YouTube.  Very cool.  Edit:  Someone already has a flip clip to see HERE.

All through the city there are holiday fairs - small marketplaces set in booths surrounding parks.  Terrific artist offerings - lots of jewelry, felted bags, handmade scarves.  I think next year I'll come earlier and do my shopping in the city.  Last stop of the evening was Trash and Vaudeville on St. Marks Place.  Fallon had to show her friend the cool rocker shop.  Not a place to buy stuff, but fun to look.  We had hoped to see 11 Spring Street where there was an entire building that had it's interior covered in Graffiti Art.....but the line of people was long and it was supposed to close at 5.  The girls didn't know we missed it but I was a little heartbroken.  Here's a link to see what I'm talking about: SEE HERE

It was a grand day.  You could say.....visions of sugarplums danced in their heads. 

Edit:  For a grand book on Linda Fargo and her Bergdorf windows, SEE HERE.  And for a fun book about Barney's windows and Simon Doonan, SEE HERE.

 

 

GOTHAM CITY

Fallon and I had a day in the city Friday.  Our first stop was to see the windows at Bergdorf.  We make a trek there each Christmas just for window watching at all the big stores, but this year we went in early to catch the final days of Bergdorf's "Gothic Splendor" windows, as inspired by the House and Garden article in the Nov 06 issue.  Douglas Little, of D.L. & Co. collaborated with Linda Fargo on these windows - his gothic curiosities in each display.  It was a real treat to get this close to such magnificence. 

Here you can see one of the extra shots provided at the H&G site, - how did this chair not make the magazine?  Reading the credits on the H&G site I find the artist is Scott Campbell.  The description said tattooed chair....I had to find out more..... AND LOOK!  It was actually tattoed!  Scott is a tattoo artist,  and actually tattoed this leather.  Now how cool is that?  And the photo on the right?  It was difficult to take photos of the windows with the glare, so we thought it was really clever to have Fallon stand in the reflection.  (Couldn't complain about the sun....it was freeeezing!)

  Here's another shot from the magazine article.  This scene was re-enacted in the windows with a painted staircase and mannequins.  The spider web chandelier was to die for, made of silver chain and Swarovski crystals.  Of course I couldn't get a good photo of it during the day - I'm sure it was lovely in the evening.....but we couldn't hang around....we had more stuff to do!

Before we headed off, we had a quick run through the store....Fallon was in Project Runway Wannabe Heaven when we landed on the floor with the couture evening gowns.  You know the department you would normally just pass by, knowing the lady at the desk would size you up and wonder what you were doing there?  Well, that kind of thing doesn't phase an 11 year old.  In we went.....dreamily looking at and touching dresses that sell for $11,000 plus.  I admit, it was so very special to see the dresses through her eyes.   I think there is a Cinderella in all of us, no matter what our age. 

As we were leaving out a side door of Bergdorf's we caught a sight that I have never experienced.  The magic doors that lead to the windows were open.  These side windows were in the process of getting their winter window dressings.  There on the door were the tools of the worker bee.  This one window was uninhabited.....some minimal props had been set in place, including a little loveseat.....it was really just asking to be sat in.  I was dying to have a seat in the window.....but I knew Fallon was too much of a chicken to go out on the street and take the picture of me sitting there.  Would have been great though don't you think?  This last shot shows a gal continuing the process.  Since we only go to New York to see the holiday windows in December I have never witnessed them being put up.  It was cool.

My first visit to a Hard Rock Cafe was in 1984, London.  That was the original one....now  there are over 100.  We took our kids to their first one in Niagara Falls, Canada.  Yesterday, Fallon and I went to the new one at Times Square.  It's huge!  And there's a stage!  We sat near Ace's guitar - pretty cool as we are KISS fans.  Gotta love the fork sign....it's giving the rock and roll fingers!  I think I may bend a few myself.

Last stop was the HERE theater so see the marionette show, The Fortune Teller, by *Erik Sanko.  (Got the heads up on this event from my friend Lynne.)  My daughter has been to Lincoln Center, Radio City Music Hall, and several Broadway shows......so this was a bit of a departure but I knew she'd love it.  You couldn't see an authentic marionette show in anything larger than the HERE theater.  When you get there, you show your ticket to the guy at the ticket counter, that doubles as a refreshement stand.  He actually crosses Your Name off his list and hands you a program.  You sit in a small holding room on random bits of living room furniture.  When the guy announces the doors are open you leave the room, out the doors, follow the red tape along the sidewalk, enter another set of doors, keep following the red tape, down a stairwell, around the corner and into the performance room.  The stage is set with a building front at 1/3 real life scale.  The lighting and music set the eery tone.  The people shuffle in.....less than 100. 

It is a fantastic show.  The marionettes are clever and gothy and works of art themselves.  The narrative is provided by the perfect British voice as he unravels the tale, music provided by Danny Elfman (yes, of Nightmare fame).  The old house is the ultimate stage....the door opens, then later a front panel raises to show us the dining parlor with the full cast of characters.  There are two side sections that not only open, but mechanically move forward to illuminate a detail within the story.  Several times we saw the hands that hold the puppets - a reminder that these were just a couple of guys behind the scenes working their magic.  As you can see from this card, there is a sticker updating the schedule, with more dates added for December.  Go if you can!

A GREAT DAY IN GOTHAM CITY.  By tomorrow night Fallon's memories will be upstaged by the Guns N Roses concert she and my husband are going to - but I'll remember this day forever.

*Erik Sanko is a musician with Skeleton Key and has been with several other bands.  His wife is an assemblage artist, Jessica Grindstaff.  In a review I read of a collaborative show they did (Marionettes and Music Boxes) they were described as "Cut from the same cloth, hatched from the same egg, they are the illegitimate love children of Tim Burton and Joseph Cornell. In a sea of papier-mache and wood, taxidermy and music, gravity and motion, here are the shining, dust covered examples of a couple of esoterics indulging their idiosyncracies."