Tag Archives: Theater

LEGO big cats take Broadway

I’ve seen practical, dramatical, pragmatical, and fanatical cats take the stage. Gumbie cats and railway cats. But until this day I’ve never seen LEGO cats give ’em the old razzle-dazzle. This is actually an encore scene from Caleb Huet assembling a trio of big cats in top hats to command the stage. First built on a whim five years ago, Caleb revisits the concept to show how he’s grown as a builder. The voluminous curtains look great, and the plush chairs look like a cozy place to book a seat. There is an undeniably theatrical flare to the big cat figures standing up, with those outstretched arms making jazz paws. True Jellicles.

Cats in Hats Revisited

Let’s take a Journey to the West

Official LEGO sets are often playsets, but Lego_nuts has a new take on things with a set of a play. This visually dense scene of a stage play in the plaza of a crowded urban center evokes Ninjago City and its fellow theme Monkey Kid, which in turn is a retelling of the famous 16th-century Chinese tale Journey to the West. There are details everywhere you look in this bustling theater, with all the various signs and crowded balconies bringing the scene to life.

Journey to the west - photo version

The builder has taken things a step further though, and the characters on stage are animated as they trek along their journey, plus giving us a cool behind-the-scenes peek at the build process of this model.

Take in a double feature at this quick-change theater.

Tommaso Vedruccio invites us to celebrate the holidays with some theater. Perhaps a holiday ballet? Or would you prefer some live music? Either option is on the table with this city park stage with easily swappable sets. Each set includes plenty of details, like realistic light riggings and decorative backdrops. Surrounded by the snow and the lights, this outdoor venue makes for a serene setting for either show. There’s even a concession stand selling sugary treats and hot cocoa to keep you warm. And those are some of the best-looking LEGO pine trees I’ve ever seen. What a perfect night out.

Christmas Theater

Castro Theatre, the heart of Eureka Valley

One of my favorite things about San Francisco is its architecture. Though shops have closed and the streets are nearly empty, some of the city’s most vibrant buildings still stand. Just off Market Street, you’ll find the Castro Theatre, whose majesty has been translated into LEGO by Jonathan Lopes. Since 1922, the Castro Theatre has hosted everything from queer cinema to silent film festivals at the center of San Francisco’s vibrant arts scene and historic LGBTQ+ district. Like in Jonathan’s model, you can’t miss its iconic neon signage and stunning Spanish-Baroque facade.

Castro Theater

Click here for an in-depth look at the Castro Theatre!

All the world’s a stage, and all the minifigures merely players

Many of the best LEGO creations are carefully composed scenes which tell a story. MorlornEmpire takes this thought one step further — building a delightful LEGO Castle scene which depicts a medieval theatre with a play in progress. The theatre walls are nicely chunky and use the classic technique of scattered dark grey tiles to simulate stonework, with an added splash of colour from the well-positioned climbing foliage.

LEGO Classic Castle Theatre Stage Play

However, appropriately enough, it’s the on-stage action which commands the attention — don’t miss the scenery flats of rolling countryside and hilltop castle, and the smart use of curved tiles to create an impression of a curtain backdrop for the sky. All this creation is missing is a rowdy audience of peasants chucking vegetables at the actors during boring sections of the play–a regular feature of theatrical performance until relatively recent times!

Her Majesty’s Theater is the place for your LEGO West End productions

There are LEGO creations, and then there is Janet VanD’s recreation of Her Majesty’s Theater in Westminster, England. The real-life theater is a cornerstone of West End theater, hosting some of the best and brightest musicals and theater productions. Janet’s recreation painstakingly replicates the exsqusite detail and the theater-going experience of its brick-and-mortar counterpart beautifully.

Her 57,992 piece build features gorgeous detail and took nearly 11 months to complete. The main entrance treats LEGO minifigure theater patrons to posters advertising the production currently on stage: Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Phantom of the Opera, one of the longest-running productions in Broadway history.

Those lucky enough to hold seats are greeted to the stunning auditorium and plush seats, with the musical’s title moment on-stage, with The Phantom and Christine on the boat, making their way to the Phantom’s lair below the Opera Populare.

For those lucky enough to be in London December 11 – 13, 2015, Her Majesty’s Theater will be on display for you to see in all its detail at Brick2015. For tickets and more information, click here.