BB's Stage Door Canteen

The year was 1942. The destination: A final stateside stop for GIs heading off to World War II—one last opportunity to forget their anxieties, be entertained and celebrate the freedom they’d soon be defending. The place was New York’s Stage Door Canteen, and when Solomon Group joined the team charged with recreating the soldiers’ experience at The National WWII Museum, we geared up for an epic effort.

Marshaling our troops to tell a one-of-a-kind story through a 60-minute live stage show and documentary-style film, we delivered turnkey design, fabrication, installation and programming of all creative and technical components, including lighting, audio, scenic and video systems. We dug into the trenches with the project owner, architect and designers to help adapt the in-progress designs, lighting and A/V to better support live performance. We designed and programmed an extensive Medialon control system to allow just two operators to run the complex show with minimal training. And we produced an inspiring, entertaining 15-minute documentary film featuring Branford Marsalis, Angela Lansbury, Mickey Rooney and countless servicemen and volunteers. The result is a spectacular, moving experience that transports audiences right back to the original Stage Door Canteen.