The Pitt Is Basically a Musical

You might have heard about TV series that are essentially long movies, but how about one that’s a 15-hour stage play or something more like an interactive art installation, similar to ‘Sleep No More’? This is what the team behind ‘The Pitt‘ is creating. From lead actor Noah Wyle to producer John Wells, everyone involved in this production donned scrubs for Warner Bros.’ TV press day. John Wells explained the reasoning behind this requirement. “Since our set is so expansive and open,” he said, “it’s common for people to be accidentally included in the background of shots. The crew members are frequently caught as well.

The show, titled “The Pitt“, strives for realism in its portrayal. The set is an accurate reproduction of Pittsburgh’s Allegheny Hospital, even featuring an unusual blend of Egyptian, Corinthian, and Celtic columns in the waiting room. The scale is immense, with numerous bays open to accommodate the series’ gritty medical storylines affecting its unfortunate characters. For Isa Briones, moving from “Hadestown” to her role as Dr. Trinity Santos was made smoother due to the show’s similarity to theater. She noted, “Many of us have theater backgrounds; it seems like the ideal TV show for someone transitioning from that.” Unlike most television productions, “The Pitt” films scenes sequentially. This linear approach is beneficial as there is an abundance of blood spatter on the floor that would be challenging to maintain continuity. In fact, there’s a significant amount of blood involved in the filming process.

Briones remarked that life seemed like an ongoing dress rehearsal. They explained that they constantly felt as if they were on stage, with their roles often serving as supporting actors in others’ stories. The way they handled trauma scenes was likened to a well-rehearsed dance routine, meticulously practiced until it became second nature. This dance, this choreography, was performed without much time to rest before filming, making it all feel like a theatrical production. In essence, their show was similar to a musical, with trauma scenes acting as the grand, blood-soaked dance numbers reminiscent of productions like Sunset Boulevard.

Just as performers make their own marks on a long-standing Broadway stage, actors on “The Pitt” are now customizing their individual spaces. Katherine LaNasa, portraying charge nurse Dana Evans, shares, “I have my desk, and I keep my belongings inside.” Working in a large set that mimics an ER, and maintaining order, contributes to the authenticity of the performances. This familiar environment helps us all unwind, even amidst intense scenes like a foot degloving!

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2025-02-13 22:53