Artist Tom Christopher has brought his visionary eye to the stage in a breathtaking set design for Satchmo at the Waldorf performed at The Schoolhouse Theatre in Croton Falls, NY. Known for pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling, the artist’s transformation of the stage has added a deeply immersive dimension to the production.
“Created by internationally recognized painter and artist Tom Christopher (lit by Dennis Parichy), in the style of Brutalism from the 1920s, it favors a form of forced perspective, accenting off-kilter angles, such as trapezoids, to suggest, perhaps, the artist’s eccentricity, which in select cases – this being one of them – qualifies as a synonym for genius.”
– Bruce Apar, BroadwayWorld
Inspired by The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, a German Expressionist horror movie, the doors and tables loom at unsettling angles.
Broadway World has called Tom Christopher’s set design “stylistically smart.”
Many artists including Munch, Picasso, Noguchi and Dali turned to set design.
The hotel room is sparse in all white with sculptured chair, table and telephone looking as if cast in tons of concrete. Nothing cozy here reflecting his tough life with multiple wives and a mob controlled manager.
Mr. Armstrong had millions of devoted fans and became the first musician to grace the cover of Time magazine and even topped the Beatles for a number one record one year.
Louis Armstrong’s life, played by Wali Jamal, was filled with challenges, growing up in a New Orleans home for waifs where his only hope was discovering the trumpet; the only colorful and real object in this play directed by Bram Lewis.
This landmark production of Satchmo At the Waldorf ended its run on June 8th, 2025.
