For EW, Verlizzo has provided exclusive commentary on 10 of the posters featured in the book.
“Writer Ira Levin had catapulted to fame with his novel,Rosemary’s Baby.
The play was a real page-turner and generated lots of excitement amongst our group.
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At the last minute, I chose to make them bright blue to garner instant attention.
I was asked to go to her apartment to show her the artwork so she could approve it.
I fortunately thought to render other Mrs. Lovetts in various weights ranging from obese to svelte.
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Ms. Lansbury couldnt have been nicer, but was taken aback by the girth of some of my renderings.
I told her Id heard mentioned the possibility of her wearing a ‘fat suit.’
Without missing a beat, her response was, ‘Ill just play it fat.
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Lets go with the thinnest drawing.’
The final suggestion Stephen Sondheim made: ‘Add more blood.'”
Whose Life Is It Anyway?
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“Now, producer Emanuel Azenberg created a media stir by casting Mary Tyler Moore in the role.
Her hair stylist, who also cut my hair, told me she wanted to meet the artist.
I asked the producers, ‘What happens in the second Act?’
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The response was, ‘Its not written yet, but it takes place 100 years later.’
It was suggested by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine that I think of the word ‘gavotte.’
I discovered much later that I was the only artist asked to design for this Broadway show.
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When all involved saw the poster early on, they knew it was ‘the one.'”
“The lions mane presented a challenge.
There were so many ways to treat and interpret it.
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“Its simplicity and use of solid black, red, and yellow madeThe Lion Kingposter distinctive.
Mr. Schumacher, his co-producer Peter Schneider, and Ms. Taymor were immediately drawn to it.
I had at my disposal the perfect setting for research,” Verlizzo says.
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“After designing a few comps, everything looked very generic to me.
Gavels, courtrooms, jury boxes, marble facades and the like just didnt look interesting.
“This was the second in the series.
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I do find the results strikingly handsome and musical theater-worthy.”
Carrie(2012)
“This artwork was designed for the Off-Broadway productions Original Cast Recording CD.
It was then subsequently used as the licensing key art for the Dean Pitchford/Michael Gore/Larry Cohen hit revival.
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This single image promises not only drama, intrigue and energy.
Precisely what we hope our show delivers.’
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