This past Friday Rent opened at Seacoast Rep. Book, Music & Lyrics written by Jonathan Larson and Directed by Brian Swasey, who directed last Septembers smash hit Altar Boyz which I designed.

Jonathan Larson’s ground-breaking work follows a year in the lives of seven friends in New York’s East Village as AIDS and its physical and emotional complications pervade their lives. A powerful musical that touches all generations, “Rent” has, by itself, made musical theater joyously important again.

Four 1996 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book & Best Score
Six 1996 Drama Desk Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book & Best Score
1996 New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Musical
1996 Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Click Here to see some production photos taken by the talented Joshua Gagnon & Tyler Heon.

The show just got extended one more weekend. It runs now till July 24, 2010. Contact the Box Office at 603.433.4472 or visit Seacoast Rep’s website for more info.

I just posted photos on my portfolio page from the April 27, 2010 Theatre Offensive ClimACTS 2010 Fundraiser at the Big Apple Circus in Boston.

climACTS…Under a Big Top
An Arousing Party to benefit The Theater Offensive’s unique programs.

April 27, 2010
Big Apple Circus tents
Boston City Hall Plaza

Honorary Chairs: Harry Collings, Tony Corey, Joan Parker

Chairs: Eric Georgi, Faith Soloway, Donald Vaughan

Keep the Faith Honoree: Alan Cumming
Tony award-winning star of stage (Cabaret, Three Penny Opera), screen (X-Men United, Titus) and TV (The L Word, Masterpiece Mystery). Alan Cumming will be honored for his impact on LGBT culture through his bold artistry and leadership.

Appearance by: Christian Siriano (Project Runway)

For More information on the Theatre Offensive and what they do visit their website.

A special thanks to John Batz and the amazing electrics crew of the Big Apple Circus.

I just posted photos on my portfolio page from the April 3, 2010 Bruce Bruce seven camera DVD shoot at the WIlbur Theatre in Boston.

I continue to serve as the Resident Lighting Designer at the WIlbur Theatre / Comedy Connection Located in Boston’s Historic Theatre district.

To see an upcoming show schedule and to purchase tickets, check out the WIlbur’s Website or Ticketmaster.

This past Friday, along with a deluge of Rain, Our Town (1938 Pulitzer Prize Winner for Drama) opened at Seacoast Rep. Currently running Off-Broadway, Written by Thornton Wilder and Directed by Jon Kimbell, former Artistic Director of Theatre by the Sea and North Shore Music Theatre.

First produced in 1938, the Pulitzer Prize-winning “Our Town” is the quintessential American play. Set at the turn of the 20th century, Wilder’s masterpiece is a richly timeless commentary about the fleeting nature of life and the need to appreciate every moment to the fullest, as revealed through the lives of the ordinary citizens of Grovers Corners, New Hampshire.

“Matt Guminski sketches out an elegantly understated light plot, one that is unobtrusive but not lugubrious. Guminski catches on to a deliberate tempo in how and when key moments of OUR TOWN need to be illuminated, and remains faithful to it throughout the course of the play.

There’s no incandescent riot of color or aggressive swirling of texture holding sway over this production; it’s clean and restrained, and does everything it should without being showy or distracting. There are times when the more spartan atmosphere of light and shadow are called for to bring a truly significant luminosity to what’s playing out on stage; Guminski isn’t afraid to exercise a modicum of restraint when it’s called for, and in this, he serves the play well.”

Michael Curtiss, Caught In the Act! & NHtheatre.org

Click Here to see the rest of what Michael had to say!

The show runs till April 4, 2010. Contact the Box Office at 603.433.4472 or visit Seacoast Rep’s website for more info.

Last Friday Night, I opened Almost, Maine at Seacoast Rep. Hailed as a delightful new comedy by John Cariani.

The reviews are in and the show is a hit!

“Scenic (David Towlun) and Lighting (Matt Guminski) design are radiant, vivid and captivating. From the Northern Lights to the bang of a screen door, love’s promise and disregard don’t “almost,” touch you. They grab you.”

Tamara Le, SeacoastOnline.com

Click Here to see the rest of what Tamara had to say!

The show runs till February 28, 2010. Contact the Box Office at 603.433.4472 or visit Seacoast Rep’s website for more info.

On Friday February 5, 2010 the Palace Theatre in Manchester New Hampshire hosted the 8th Annual NH Theatre Awards, there I had the honor of accepting my 5th consecutive nomination and win! Congratulations to all the Winners and Nominees!

Visit the Official NH Theatre Awards Website for a complete list of winners.

The NH Theatre Awards showcase the state’s remarkable achievements and exceptional talent in locally produced theatre and encourage, stimulate and recognize creative excellence and exceptional dedication among the players, producers, writers, directors and technicians who bring theatrical magic to the small stages of the Granite State.

After designing the World Premiere of Billy Butler and Dane Leeman’s comic-book-rock-musical Gay Bride of Frankenstein at the Players Ring in Portsmouth NH, I will be designing the NYMF premiere at TBG Theatre (312 W 36th St. New York, NY) Opening Night is September 28th, 2009.

Cast Includes Spring Awakening’s Emma Hunton and Avenue Q’s Darryl Winslow. In addition to Hunton and Winslow, the cast features Jeremiah James (Carousel), Dana Aber, Christian D. White, Christopher Hudson Myers and Ashley Kate Adams.

Visit the Official Gay Bride of Frankenstein Website or Visit the Official NYMF Show Page for more information.

This will be my third NYMF show in three years. Past NYMF designs include Love Kills (’07) and Jason & Ben (’08), both at the 45th Street Theatre.

I’m back at Allenberry Playhouse for a fourth time to design THE JOHNNY CASH MUSICAL: RING OF FIRE. Previous designs at the Playhouse include: ALWAYS, PATSY CLINE, FOREVER PLAID, AND LADIES NIGHT IN A TURKISH BATH. Load in is this Sunday afternoon (08.30.09) and the show opens Wednesday (08.02.09).

The designer run through blew me away! If you’re in the area you should swing by and check it out.

Tickets can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 800.430.5468 or e*mailing aberry @ allenberry.com

I just received word that I will be designing Thoroughly Modern Millie for a second time.

Seven Angels Theatre in association with The Palace Theatre, will be presenting Thoroughly Modern Millie for one weekend: July 30 – August 1, 2009 at the Historic Palace Theatre in downtown Waterbury CT.

Stay tuned for more information!

I am pleased to announce that mglightingdesign.com has received an overhaul, with many thanks to my good friend Tom Gallo who without his talents I couldn’t have made this website a possibility!

Unlike the old website which just allowed you to view my resume and production photos, The new website allows visitors more inside access to information on past/present/and future projects I’m involved with.

Clients will have full access (with a password) to show specific paperwork in their own personalized folder located on the Access Page. This allows clients to access paperwork from any location in the world!

It is my goal to keep you in the loop with daily blog posts but with my schedule that sometimes proves difficult! Please stop by often and see what I’m up too. I hope all of you enjoy mglightingdesign.com v2.0 and I look forward to reading your comments!