By AMBER HUNTER
Fireworks aren’t the only things going off behind the scenes at the annual “Stadium of Fire” production. “Stadium of Fire” producers John and Sheri Whittaker have been working hard during the past year to complete the July 3 production with a bang.
“We began planning for the 1999 event last August,” John said. John has been involved in the production of the annual event for the past twenty years.
The Whittakers oversee the production of the entire event, including the choreography of the firework display as well as the production and narration of the set fireworks, which are displayed inside the stadium. The 1999 firework display was created by pyrodirector, Brad Bone, from Wichita.
“When it comes to set-pieces, the ‘Stadium of Fire’ is one of the largest firework productions in the country,” John said. “This year, the production will feature more than 30 firework set displays.” Each display includes nine frames that are 5 by 10 feet wide.
The Whittakers along with a team of 14 workers began building the firework sets in April.
“We started building the sets the first week of April, and we just finished the last piece two weeks ago,” said Matt Erdmann, “Stadium of Fire” crew member.
The 30 patriotic set pieces were designed by “Stadium of Fire” art director Seven Nielsen. The pieces were completed with 510,000 pencil-sized lances, which are similar to flares and come in six different colors.
Along with the set pieces, more than 4,000 fireworks will be displayed both inside and outside of the stadium. The entire fireworks display is run by computer and cost approximately $135,000.
“We try to make things easier, and more fun every year,” Sheri said.
Production crews began setting up the production June 25 and will continue to work until the show starts Saturday at 8 p.m. “We have to coordinate the lighting, sound, firework and stage set up,” John said.
Two Grammy Award winners will be headlining this year’s “Stadium of Fire”: Gladys Knight and All-4-One. Other entertainment will include the Harry James Orchestra, Lex de Azedvedo’s new Millennium Choir, 700-plus dancers, a flyover by the B-1 Bomber, human cannonball Jennifer Smith and the combined 571st Air Force Missouri Air National Guard and Fairchild Washington 56th Military Band.
Our goal is to reach every age level through the entertainment and fireworks display, Sheri said.
“We are excited about the 1999 production,” John said. “Every year we try to out-do ourselves.”
Currently, tickets are priced at $10, $15, $20 and $24 and are now on sale at the BYU Marriott Center Ticket Office, 378-BYU1 or 1-800-322-BYU1.
