Illum Productions Takes On The Big Apple – Broadway Style

Local Animation Company creates animation for the New York Broadway Show, 9 to 5 – the Musical.

Sarasota, Florida, October 15, 2008 – Illum Productions has signed on with Peter Nigrini Design Studios, a New York Design Studio, to create 2D and 3D animation for the Broadway Show, 9 to 5 – the Musical, featuring original scores by Dolly Parton and directed by Joe Mantello (Wicked).

Illum Productions will be animating the fantasy sequence of Violet Newstead, played by Allison Janney of West Wing, whom dreams that she is Snow White singing to bluebirds and demolishing the dark castle of her boss, the evil Franklin Hart Jr.

The 2D Bluebird designs and animation are reminiscent to Disney films of the 40’s. The castle was created in 3D but textured to match that of the concept art so it had a hand painted feel to the final rendered frames. Jerry Chambless, our Creative Director, said, "We went for a Chuck Jones style animation to the castle, so instead of dramatically shattering the castle upon destruction, we simply popped a couple components off of it to simulate the same approach that Franklin Hart was going through in the play. A male stroked elimination of his personal ego in a comical way."

Joe Merideth, our animation director stated, "This was a true collaboration and a great opportunity to explore a different kind of venue for animation. I haven’t seen too many live performances with an animation element so it was an exciting and welcomed challenge."

Theatre performances will open at the Ahmanson Theatre in California before heading to The Marquis Theatre (1535 Broadway) in New York in April, 2009.

For more information, contact Jerry Chambless at 941.928.8356, or visit Illum at