DS

"I can be hyper critical with lighting, it’s just in my nature, but the lighting for this play was incredible. Dan Schoedel's use of templates made enough texture to show depth on the stage but never really over took or became overbearing to the point of distraction. His plot had LED lights shining straight down the walls, not only adding to the texture but it also making the space look twice as large. The contrast in color through the whole play was impressive and eye pleasing. Continuity was at the fore front. If a scene was in the chapel, you knew it; outdoors, you knew it. In the very first scene, Schoedel colors the open area upstage with aqua LED’s and spinning templates, making it look exactly like a river. His use of isolation extenuated the blocking that Banks did throughout. This was one of the best lighting jobs I’ve seen in years."

-Scott Davis, The Column Online

​

"Dan Schoedel’s lighting design supports the pervasive “old-timey” aura with natural warmth and creates eerie shadow in the night graveyard scenes and candle-lit catacombs. Twain’s tale’s linearity never slows dramatic transitions thanks to the effectively employed, sophisticated design. WaterTower Theatre’s performance never drags or feels “simplistic” the way many standard “children’s theater” plays can, as a result."

-Alexandra Bonifield, TheaterJones