The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds — Okoboji Summer Theatre

Design Notes

For Paul Zindel’s The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds, I designed a space that captured the fractured, forgotten world of Beatrice and her daughters. The setting was a former convenience store, converted into a cluttered home that reflected the emotional and physical decay central to the story. The goal was to ground the play’s emotional core in a setting that felt tangible, oppressive, and deeply lived-in.

Faded gold wallpaper lined the walls, evoking a sense of long-lost elegance. Layers of yellowing newspapers were taped across the windows, blocking the outside world while hinting at years of accumulated detachment. Above the front door, a broken entry bell hung—an echo of the building’s former life and a symbol of time paused. The scenic texture was designed to be as revealing as the characters’ dialogue: stained linoleum floors, mismatched furniture, and an excess of clutter all served to mirror the psychological weight each character carries.

Subtle but intentional lighting revealed shadowed corners and pockets of warmth, allowing quiet moments to resonate. Nothing in the space was theatricalized for effect; instead, the realism of the environment amplified the emotional contradictions in Zindel’s script—beauty blooming in unlikely places.

Presented in July 2010 at Okoboji Summer Theatre, the production embraced detailed naturalism and visual metaphor. This scenic design helped frame the resilience of Tillie and the unraveling of Beatrice, offering the audience a world where neglect and hope uneasily coexist.