Category Archives: Backdrops

The musical Kiss Me Kate is one of those unusual performances that has a play within a play. The concurrent narratives show the performance of William Shakespear’s comedy, Taming of the Shrew while also following the love lives of director and leading man Fred Graham (who is playing Petruchio) and his ex-wife and co-star Lilli Vanessi (Katherine).

The musical depicts a real-life example of how life imitates art as the characters of Kiss Me Kate play comparable characters in the Taming of the Shrew. The themes of the battle of the sexes and love are also touched upon in both the lyrics and the plot.

Background on Kiss Me Kate

Kiss Me Kate, a play within a play, is based on a book by Bella and Samuel Spewack and highlights music and lyrics by Cole Porter. The main plot follows Fred Graham, the director of a Broadway-bound musical version of William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew and his ex-wife, Lilli Vanessi who plays the role of Katharine in the Shakespearian play, thus the name Kiss Me Kate.

Forced to play characters opposite each other in the internal play, the couple professes to hate each other, but are very clearly still in love. Despite their bickering, they reminisce nostalgically about other shows in which they have appeared together over the years. A subplot follows two other players including Lois, a singer in the Taming of the Shrew and her gambler boyfriend Bill (Lucentio). In the middle of all the craziness of the play within the play, Fred declares his interest in Lois by sending her flowers. The bouquet, however, is mistakenly delivered to Lilli who believes the romance has returned to her failed marriage.

Just when you think the story can not get confusing enough, Lilli learns during a live performance that the flowers were never intended for her. Meanwhile, a pair of gangsters storm the stage in search of Fred (or Bill) who owes their boss money.

The gangsters force everyone to stay on stage to finish the play to collect on the debt owed. They sing, dance and perform the show-stopping number, Brush Up Your Shakespeare. The show ends as all shows should with Lilli and Fred and Bill and Lois working everything out and going on with their lives happily ever after.

Backdrops for Kiss Me Kate

Since the musical takes place in two places simultaneously – on a stage and while portraying Shakespeare’s masterpiece, The Taming of the Shrew which is set in the age of the Italian Renaissance.

While Backdrops By Charles Stewart offers over 51 backdrop options for this musical, here are a few of our favorites.

This Bare Stage Backdrop displays a brick wall with a theater door, spiral staircase, catwalk, and scenery flats leaning against the wall thus giving the illusion of being behind the scenes.

This Backstage Scrim Backdrop is great for scenes between Fred and Lilli or Lois and Bill. It shows a bare stage with a theater door and backstage dressing rooms.

If your performance is looking for a simple design this Bare Stage Backdrop with a ladder, pipes, and scenery sets leaning against the wall may just be ideal.

For scenes that are geared more toward the Taming of the Shrew side of the story, a more opulent set should be visible. Many performances attempt to display the feel of a wealthy, upper-class Italian household during the Renaissance period, with opulent décor, large rooms, and hints of societal hierarchy.

Here are some options that may help as your crew switches from the internal play to the external play.

This Drawing Room Backdrop illustrates a home that is more lavish and juxtaposed to the backdrops showing the stage background. This particular backdrop shows a Victorian interior with a sitting room, blue draperies and a large wood archway.

This Garden Backdrop is also an option for the performance as it shows a garden colonnade with a low brick wall, white columns and pink flowers.

To view all of our Kiss Me Kate backdrops please visit our site and follow the links for show suggestions.

With the spring equinox right around the corner, we are looking forward to the warm days ahead. With spring comes one of our favorite times of the year: concert and recital season!

Backdrops By Charles H. Stewart loves being a part of your concert or dance recital settings. We look forward to working with so many dance organizations and local and regional orchestras to help create the appropriate backdrop for your event. From abstract to novelty backdrops, we have exactly what your organization needs to create the mood and atmosphere you desire.

Let’s take a look at some of our most popular backdrops that will help you set the stage for a successful concert or recital.

Celebration Theme

Should your organization, theater group or dance troupe be celebrating a milestone during your performance or promoting a celebration theme, these backdrops may be ideal for your event.

Our celebration backdrops include themes such as fireworks, patriotic backdrops, space celebrations, Rio Carnivals, gold sparkles, falling stars, and happy anniversaries.

This Rio Carnival Backdrop illustrates a festive atmosphere, including fireworks and palm trees, for performances set in the summer or around major holidays. It is also ideal for groups hoping to portray tropical destinations or a carnival theme.

Our colorful balloon backdrop with clouds and a blue sky is fun and uplifting. Named the Celebration Balloon Backdrop, this option would be perfect for year-end concerts, corporate award ceremonies, parties, dance recitals or retirement parties.

This Patriotic Backdrop would be ideal for events or performances based around American history or US holidays such as Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day or Independence Day. The backdrop includes images of a bald eagle, the American flag, the Statue of Liberty and the White House.

Stars & Sparkles

For performances that would like to keep the backdrop neutral but with some detail, these stars and sparkles may be perfect for concerts, recitals, and corporate events.

This Gold Sparkle Backdrop displays a black background with shiny gold falling sparkles. This is a painted backdrop with no metallic material.

Another sparkly option includes this Falling Stars Backdrop. It is a beautiful deep blue backdrop that shows white and gold falling stars.

Abstracts

Our abstract backdrops range from vibrant colorful backdrops to unique designs.

This colorful Rainbow Wave Backdrop illustrates the colors of the rainbow in a wavy pattern.

To view more of our backdrops for your spring concerts, recitals or events, visit our website and choose Rent By Category.

If you grew up reading the book or watching the movie The Wizard of Oz, you may have wondered what the land of Oz was like before Dorothy arrived on the scene or what caused Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, to become so wicked.

Wicked, the untold story of the Witches of Oz, explores these questions and themes of friendship, identity, female empowerment and that every story has two sides. Let’s take a closer look at this award-winning Broadway musical.

The Story of Wicked

Loosely based on the story of The Wizard of Oz, Wicked chronicles the lives and relationships between Glinda the Good Witch and Elphaba the Wicked Witch of the West. The musical, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and based on the book by Winnie Holzman, takes place in the land of Oz before Dorothy’s arrival.

Due to her atypical green skin, Elphaba is seen as an outcast in the Land of Oz and the Emerald City. While studying magic at Shiz University, young Elphaba meets Glinda, a witch who is blonde, popular, and viewed as conventionally beautiful. The two witches become roommates and best friends. That is until the man behind the curtain, the Wizard of Oz drives them apart.

Glinda and Elphaba are at odds over the Wizard’s plan to turn the talking, intelligent animals of Oz into unintelligible beasts. Elphaba wants to fight against the corruption of the Wizard while Glinda is torn between following the rules of Oz or supporting her good friend.

This two-act musical has taken Broadway by storm winning three Tony Awards, including Best Actress in a Musical, Best Scenic Design, and Best Costume Design. It was also awarded the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Lyrics, Outstanding Book of a Musical, Outstanding Director of a Musical, Outstanding Orchestrations, Outstanding Set Design, and Outstanding Costume Design. Wicked additionally was awarded a Grammy for the Best Musical Show Album.

Setting Your Wicked Performance

Since Wicked takes place in the Land of Oz and the Emerald City prior to Dorothy’s arrival, backdrops and settings can include the traditional Wizard of Oz backdrops such as the Emerald Palace, the Yellow Brick Road, and the Castle in the Clouds backdrop.

Emerald Palace

The home to the Wizard and backdrop to many scenes, the Emerald Palace is a perfect choice for your next production of Wicked. This Emerald City Backdrop is ideal for setting the stage for your performance with the impressive green castle and yellow brick road leading to the structure.

The Castle in the Clouds option for your backdrop alludes to the distant Emerald City with its mystical view of the castle.

Forest Backdrops

Take audience members into the world of Oz with this forest backdrop. The Autumn Forest Backdrop is ideal for performances looking for that iconic pathway as well as a glowing forest area.

Or consider this Deep Woods Backdrop showing dense woods which shuts out the sun’s rays to add some mystery and suspense to the performance.

To view all options for your Wicked performance visit show suggestions under The Wizard of Oz.

The world of fairy tales can be fanciful, beautiful and filled with unique characters who teach us life lessons. Shrek is one such character who teaches the audience that we should accept people for who they are rather than judge them by their appearance.

Shrek the Musical takes us into the world of fairy tales in a one-of-a-kind story of love, friendship and acceptance. Let’s explore the storyline and the backdrops that may be perfect for your production.

The Story of Shrek

Like many fairy tales, Shrek the Musical takes place in a “once upon a time” sort of land. More specifically, it takes place in an enchanted fairy tale woods complete with a green slimy swamp, perfect for an ogre like Shrek.

As a hulking green ogre, Shrek has spent most of his existence being misunderstood, feared and ridiculed. He prefers to live alone in the woods with his swamp and peace of mind. That is until he meets other fairy tale characters including Pinocchio, Cinderella, and the Three Little Pigs. These characters burst on the scene and invade Shrek’s solitary life by the swamp after being evicted by the evil and somewhat height-challenged Lord Farquaad.

Shrek makes a deal with the cast of characters that they will get their homes back for them in exchange for his quiet home being returned to him. However, when Shrek and Lord Farquaad meet, they strike a counteroffer that includes Shrek rescuing Princess Fiona for the homes of his new friends.

Shrek suddenly finds himself in uncharted waters (or swamps) as he finds himself feeling differently about the Princess. He begins to explore these feelings as he questions why Fiona always runs off when the sun sets.

Backdrops for Shrek the Musical

The story of Shrek and his friends is set in the woods where only fairy tale stories can play themselves out. Backdrops By Charles Stewart offers over 70 backdrops that are ideal for your production of Shrek or the younger equivalent Shrek Jr.

Here are just a few of the backdrops you can choose from for your production.

Forest & Swamps

It wouldn’t be a story about a misunderstood green ogre without a mysterious forest and a swamp where he lives. This Forest Backdrop shows the deep woods with lush vegetation, tangled vines and moss growing on every surface.

This Forest Swamp Backdrop offers a deep woods swamp visual just perfect for Shrek to reside. There are large tree trunks and ferns adorning the landscape.

For night views of the forest, this Dark Forest Backdrop depicts the deep woods at night with blue tones and sparkling moonlight.

To explore all of our Shrek backdrops visit our show suggestion page.

At some point in our lives, we have all dreamt of having all the candy our heart desires whether it’s the sugary goodness of a lollipop or the creamy chocolate of a candy bar. The story of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory explores the life of a young boy and four other children who get just that chance at the Wonka Candy Factory.

Beyond taste-testing the best chocolate in the world, chewing gum that never loses flavor and meeting a cast of small but energetic characters called Oompa Loompas, Charlie and the crew learn valuable lessons about kindness, karma, life’s economic inequities and the importance of being true to yourself.

Backdrops By Charles H. Stewart has 12 backdrops designed with this production in mind. Let’s explore them and a little more about the story of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

The Story of Charlie

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is the brainchild of British author Ronald Dahl, which was first published in the United States by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. in 1964 and in the United Kingdom by George Allen & Unwin in 1967. Since then, it has been adapted into a film and musical in the form of shows named Wonka, Wonka Jr., and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

The story chronicles the difficult life of a young boy whose family struggles financially. Charlie and his mother and father live in a small apartment with his grandparents and only one bed. When Charlie’s dad loses his job, things go from bad to worse for the close-knit family. All the hardship has not stopped Charlie from being the kind, curious and helpful boy he was raised to be.

When word gets out that Willy Wonka, the owner of the nearby chocolate factory is holding a contest where winners who find a golden ticket inside a chocolate bar will earn a tour of the mysterious factory. Charlie’s family can’t afford to spend money on chocolate bars until Grandpa Joe happens to find cash on the ground and decides to spend it on his kindhearted grandson with the purchase of a chocolate bar. As fate would have it, Charlie found the last of the five golden tickets and gained entry to the factory.

During his time inside the factory, Charlie is amazed by the variety and color of all the candies as well as the diminutive workers (Oompa Loompas). One by one the other children on the tour break the rules and suffer the consequences. In the end, Charlie ends up being the only child on the tour who does as he is asked and is kind enough to win over the eccentric owner. The consequence for Charlie is to be given ownership of the factory and thus save his poverty-stricken family, proving that karma was at play all along.

Backdrops for Charlie & The Chocolate Factory

Since there are several key settings in this production, including a mysterious factory both inside and out, Charlie’s home and the streets of his town, there are several backdrops that would be appropriate.

Charlie’s Home

The production begins by drawing a stark comparison between the harsh life that Charlie lives and the magical world of the factory. This Tenement Factory Backdrop shows a dismal street with tight roads and floor and floors of small apartments.

For productions that are looking for a more rustic aesthetic, the Village Street Backdrop is appropriate. This backdrop shows a row of dilapidated homes on a small street.

The Factory

The central setting for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory includes the inside and outside of the mysterious chocolate factory. This Factory Street Traveler Backdrop shows the exterior of Wonka’s elusive factory. This backdrop depicts a bold, stylized city street portraying a brick building and factory with smoke stacks.

Inside the factory is where the real magic happens and this Chocolate Factory Backdrop is ideal for the production. This backdrop shows the fanciful side of the factory including a chocolate river, chocolate waterfall and candy landscape.

Explore all of the Wonka, Wonka Jr., and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory backdrops on our site.

Winter in the Northern Hemisphere is known for its freezing temperatures, evergreen trees weighed down by ice, snow-capped mountains, and warmly lit shops to welcome holiday shoppers and travelers in from the cold. Scenes similar to these can be found in many Broadway and Off-Broadway productions including Disney’s Frozen, The Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol, Annie, Rent and White Christmas.

In addition to theatrical plays and musicals that showcase winter settings, there are hundreds of performances of other sorts that could use backdrops of snow, ice, and winter scenes. For instance, many winter recitals, school concerts, choir performances and award ceremonies require backdrops of this snowy seasonal variety.

Does your organization need to create a winter vibe? Check out our more than 70 winter-specific backdrops that could be used for your winter presentation, recital, musical, concert or ceremony.

Snowy Mountains

Many musical performances, such as The Sound of Music or How the Grinch Who Stole Christmas require setting a snowy mountain landscape to ensure the action comes to life for your audience. Our winter seasonal backdrops can help support your actors and storyline become more realistic and genuine.

This Winter Landscape Tab Backdrop #3511 displays snow-capped mountains, evergreen trees covered in sticky white snow and a landscape of a winter wonderland.

Other choices of mountainous settings include this Winter Wonderland Backdrop #3192 which shows a wintery scene with mountains, pine trees, and snow-covered terrain. Additionally, the backdrops show falling snow and ice throughout the scene.

Snowy Villages

Musicals like A Christmas Carol and many holiday recitals could make good use of a snowy village scene.

This Snow Village Backdrop #3156 displays a village nestled in the valley of snowy mountains and trees heavily laden with inches of snow.

For a more European aesthetic, this Dickens Street Backdrop #2543 illustrates a European village with a dusting of snow on the streets and roofs. Shop windows and doors are decorated with wreaths and frosty panes. A church steeple is shown in the background and street lanterns line the snow-covered streets.

Snowflakes

For performances of Frosty the Snowman, Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer or any winter concert/performance, this snowflake backdrop is perfect to set the stage for your evening of entertainment. The backdrop measures 18×42 and shows large snowflakes on a blue background.

An Ice Palace

If you are seeking an ice palace fit for a queen, say perhaps Queen Elsa, this Ice Palace Backdrop # 2469 depicts the interior of a large palace covered in ice along with icy columns and cathedral-like windows.

To view all of the 78 winter backdrops and winter scenes, visit the Backdrops By Charles Stewart category pages under winter. We look forward to working with you on your seasonal performance.

What’s not to love about the musical Snow White? Between the wicked queen, adorable seven dwarfs, the poisoned apple, the magic of the woods and the tale of a beautiful princess, it’s hard not to fall for the story and (of course) the “happily-ever-after” ending of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Backdrops By Charles Stewart offers 28 unique backdrops that could be used for your next performance of Snow White from the magical forest backdrops where young Snow White meets the dwarves to the castle of the evil queen.

A Little Background of Snow White

The story of Snow White follows the structure of a typical fairy tale by the Grimm Brothers. Most fairy tales begin with a “once upon a time,” taking the audience back to a different, often magical time or place. Then, the story focuses on a young hero or heroine who is facing a huge difficulty. In Snow White’s case, the wicked queen (Snow White’s stepmother) is jealous of her beauty, youth and goodness and orders her to be murdered.

The huntsman who was given the death orders sets Snow White free in the woods. Eventually, the young maiden finds herself in the woods helping seven uniquely named and loving dwarves – Happy, Sleepy, Dopey, Sneezy, Doc, Grumpy and Bashful. She stays hidden with them as they ‘whistle while they work’ and enjoy each other’s company.

After discovering her stepdaughter is still alive, the evil queen disguises herself as an old woman and makes her way into the forest to finish the job. She finds Snow White and gives her a poisoned apple to eat. Snow White instantly falls into a slumber. Believing her to be dead, the queen escapes. The dwarfs find her when they return from work, and place her in a glass coffin.

Right on cue, a young prince wandering through the woods finds Snow White and breaks the magic of the poisoned apple through a chaste kiss that frees her from the slumber. As the fairy tale concludes, we find that Snow White and the prince live happily ever after.

Backdrops for Snow White

Since the story of Snow White is set in both a castle owned by the evil queen and the deep forest where the Seven Dwarves live, it is notable that many of the backdrops include options for these two scenes.

This Forest Backdrop #2587 shows a dense and lush forest where the dwarves live and work.

Another option for a forest backdrop includes this Dense Forest Backdrop #2477 which depicts thickly forested trees, a layer of leaves and sunlight coming through the canopy.

For scenes including the wicked queen and her castle, this Palace Interior Backdrop #2483 would be perfect. This particular backdrop depicts an elegant palace interior with a grand double staircase, marble, and chandeliers.

To view all backdrops for Snow White, Visit the show suggestion page under Snow White.

The Tony Award-winning Newsies is a musical based on the 1992 film Newsies, which in turn was inspired by the real-life Newsboys Strike of 1899 in New York City. Young and poor, delivery boys from across New York City made headlines and so will your performance.

Backdrops By Charles H. Stewart offers 36 unique backdrops that would be perfect for setting the stage for your next performance of Newsies! Let’s find out more about this catchy musical and the themes that are still relevant today.

A Little Background About Newsies, The Musical

While the musical Newsies is based on the real-life story of the Newsboy Strike of 1899, nearly 124 years ago, there are still themes that are relevant in today’s society. Social injustice, exploitative labor practices, the importance of standing up for one’s rights and the ultimate power of hope are just a few of the dominant themes explored in the musical.

The musical Newsies chronicles the story of the rebellious and somewhat hopeful New York City newspaper delivery boys who are just scraping by financially. When publishing giant Joseph Pulitzer raises newspaper prices at the newsboys’ expense, the delivery boys take action.

The main character Jack “Cowboy” Kelly organizes a newsboys’ strike. After all, they are already living in poverty and can not even afford the scant wages they make as it is. Jack and his friend David Jacobs serve as the “voice” and the “brains” of the movement respectively, and plan to band together to fight the most powerful.

Throughout the show, the newsboys put on rousing numbers such as Seize the Day, Once and For All, Sante Fe, and Something to Believe In which will have audiences excited to support the young men.

In the end, the city and the powerful men who run the newspapers realize the power of the “little guy” and how banding together can change the world, or at least your little corner of the world.

Our Favorite Newsies Backdrops

Since Newsies takes place in New York City, and in particular the poorer sections where the newsboys live, there are several options to display the living conditions that the young delivery boys live in.

This NYC Tenement Backdrop #2336 depicts a NYC tenement block in the shadow of the Big Apple. This would serve well during the scenes where the young men discuss their plan of upheaval and show the conditions they survive daily.

This Newspaper Backdrop #2408 shows the different sections of a good old-fashioned newspaper with headlines and color photos.

This Newsies Backdrop #3115 allows audiences to view a newspaper-themed backdrop showing papers at the top and the printing factory at the bottom.

To view all the Newsies Musical backdrops offered, please visit the show suggestions page and click on Newsies.

Most musicals chronicle the main characters’ lives and explore themes that mean something to the audience. Pippin is no different in the goal of relating to the audience.

The main theme of this musical is the exploration of human fulfillment and the endless search for what makes life worthwhile is the major focus of this time-honored musical.

Let’s explore the story of Pippin and the backdrops that Backdrops By Charles Stewart offers that can make your production come to life.

The Story of Pippin

Pippin chronicles the life of young royalty during the era of the 8th Century Holy Roman Empire. Pippin is the first son and heir to the throne under the fabled Emperor Charlemagne. In Pippin’s struggle to find the meaning of his life, he travels several routes in his quest.

Pippin first asks his father to allow him to be a soldier with him as he sets off for war. However, he quickly realizes that this life brings no meaning to him. Being a war hero is not the solution to his quest.

He then heads to his grandmother for advice, who plots a devious plan to rid the empire of Charlemagne. Pippin then confronts his father and stabs him after asking about his many civil crimes against the people of his empire. Becoming king in the wake of his father’s death also does not satisfy his quest to find the meaning of life. He returns to his dead father’s body where he begs for his return to the world of the living.

Eventually, Pippin finds meaning when he meets a woman named Catherine and her young son. He finds meaning in living a simple life that at first seems beneath his station in life. His quest for fulfillment ends when the acting troupe sets up a “Grand Finale” where Pippin backs out of ending his life and remains in love with Catherine and her young son.

Backdrops for Pippin, the Musical

Backdrops By Charles Stewart has more than 16 backdrop options for your next performance of Pippin.

This Great Hall backdrop #1971 shows a castle hall with stone walls, royal flags and columns depicting Emperor Charlemagne’s castle.

This Castle Corridor Backdrop #2217 depicts a stone castle corridor with a large arched window.

This Woods Landscape Backdrop shows a forest with a clearing showing a meadow, rolling hills, and a blue sky

Explore all of our Pippin backdrops on our show suggestions page. Our team and our backdrops can help make your performance a success!

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