Set and lighting designer Kyle Chepulis, puppet designer Michael Curry and legendary sound designer Abe Jacob are among the winners at "Entertainment Design"'s 1999 Eddy Awards. The annual honors will be held Dec. 10 at the Pope Auditorium on Fordham University's Lincoln Center Campus.
Chepulis has been a frequent collaborator with playwright Mac Wellman, designing Murder of Crows, Hyacinth Macaw, Dracula, Sincerity Forever and 7 Blow Jobs, among others. Other projects have included transforming abandoned New York spaces for Orestes, Father Was a Peculiar Man and Marathon Dancing. Curry, a puppet designer under Julie Taymor on The Lion King, is the man behind the promised giant puppet spectacular that will accompany 1999's New Year's Eve festivities in New York City. Among his multi-cultural, multi geographical designs will be the Father Time puppet which made its debut in 1998's celebration. One of the pioneers of modern Broadway theatrical sound, Jacob designed Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, Pippin, Chicago, Dancin', A Chorus Line, Evita, Cats, Big Deal and Black and Blue. He also did concert sound work for Jimi Hendrix, The Mamas and Papas and Peter, Paul and Mary.
Also receiving awards are costume builder Barbara Matera, the creative team behind the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man at Universal Studios' Isle of Adventure and the sound and lighting products of the year.
The cocktail party begins at 7:30 with the awards ceremony to be held at 8:30. There will be a Broadway Lighting Master Class with Dave Cunningham, Stan Miller, Sonny Sonnenfeld and Don Stern from 6-7:30 PM.
-- By Christine Ehren