The new Starlight Express US Tour has become a family affair!

Not only did Andrew Lloyd Webber write the show for his children more than 20 years ago.  But there are a couple of
families involved in this new US tour.

There is the father and son team of John (set designs) and Julian (3D film) Napier worked behind the scenes on the new
show.  

John Napier was the designer on the original production of "Starlight Express" over 20 years ago.    As a teenager, Julian
worked backstage assisting his father; "I had a summer job with my dad (John Napier) making models. It was a real thrill."

John was once again involved in the show and wanted to update it using modern technology to make the show even more
spectacular for a new generation.  He had the idea to bring 3D technology to the filmed race sequences-to take the action
from live performance and morph it on-screen, but with a twist. By incorporating 3D technology into the filmed race
sequences, he could bring the action off the stage and over the audience in a way never before explored in the musical
theatre genre.

John explains, "I think it [the director] needed to be someone of a slightly younger generation. Julian has been privy to
"Starlight Express" for many, many years. I know his work and I knew that he could come at it from a slightly different
angle than I would."  Julian, who had studied with Steven Spielberg and was working with 3D film technology, was
brought on as the Director of the 3D Film Sequences.

Both have enjoyed the opportunity to collaborate, not as father and son, but as Designer and Collaborator.

Then there is a husband and wife team touring with the show, Drue Williams (cast member) and his wife Louanne
Madorma-Williams (Associate Choreographer).

While Louanne is helping with the choreography of the show during the tour, her husband is on stage working as
"Greaseball" one of the main leads in the show.

When I heard about this husband and wife team I found it interesting that they also worked together in the German
production of "Starlight Express."

Drue is no stranger to "Starlight Express," he was in the original production in 1984 in London’s West End production.  
Drue was then one of the National Trains as Hashamoto; he then played Dustin and finally Greaseball.  Since then he has
played "Greaseball" on-and-off  in England, Germany and now in the US tour.   

Drue also played Dominique in Steven Schwartz's "The Baker's Wife."  He played Gaston in Disney's "Beauty and the
Beast," Monty in "Saturday Night Fever," and was cast in Robert London’s musical version of "The Fly" as the title role.  
He has produced and recorded his own CD.  He sang ATB's cover of "Killer" by Seal and was number 4 in the British
pop charts.  

Drue is also a proud father.  Drue and Louanne little boy (Adler 3½ years-old) travels with them on tour.  So maybe
Adler will be the next Bob Fosse or Greaseball!

The character "Greaseball" is my favorite in the show.  Here is a description of the character: Greaseball is a diesel train;
he is the hot flashy power of the Union Pacific Railroad and champion from the USA.  An Elvis look-alike (which is what I
like about this character), he thinks he is so great and all the girls swoon for him.

After almost 20 years of working in this show and Louanne has been associated with the show for 13 years, this husband
and wife team should know this show!