BWW Preview: Porchlight's Doll House Set for FAR FROM HEAVEN

Inspiration can literally come from anywhere.

Tasked with bringing the critically acclaimed new musical "Far From Heaven" to life on stage for Porchlight Theatre, director Rob Lindley says it was initially daunting.

"The really amazing but challenging thing about this piece is that they took a 2002 film that was so cinematic and shot in a million places -and put it on stage," he says. "My first thought as a director was design-wise, how do we do this?"

Based on the 2002 Todd Haynes film of the same name, the musical is set in the 1950's and focuses on wealthy Connecticut housewife Cathy Whitaker (Summer Naomi Smart) as her idyllic suburban life begins to fall apart.

"It wasn't just the amount of scenes, but the pace in which we have to transition from each setting," Lindley adds.

Working with choreographer William Carlos Angulo and scenic designer Grant Sabin, Lindley says the entire production team was going through photos of homes from the era when Sabin happened to email him a photo of a vintage tin dollhouse.

"I love these doll houses," Lindley says. "I've seen a number of them when I've gone to antique stores with my mom."

Lindley says he knew Sabin was onto something, because it wouldn't be the first time he's used a resale find as inspiration for a production.

"Two years ago, I based my Porchlight production of 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying' on a copy of the 1963 board game based on the original Broadway musical that I had bought at a flea market," Lindley says.

Lindley's production mimicked the board game's color palate and style.

"I knew going into 'Business' that I was going to use that board game somehow," he says. "For 'Heaven," it happened in reverse. Sometimes you have the object and it inspires you, other times you have the work and then find the object."

For his latest production, a vintage tin doll houses were the perfect inspiration.

"The main characters are essentially like Barbie and Ken and trying to play house," Lindley says. "It seems appropriate that the set should reflect a doll house."

"We have a set based on a vintage doll house, vintages costumes, one of the best looking casts in Chicago and a beautiful show with lush romantic music," he adds. It is going to be in many respects ear and eye candy for the audiences."

FAR FROM HEAVEN begins previews February 5 and runs through March 13. Opening night is February 9. Tickets, $30-$48. 773.327. 5252 or porchlightmusictheatre.org

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