Denée Benton Helped Raise the Swarovski Star
by Natasha Wolff | November 16, 2016 5:00 pm
The holiday season kicked off with plenty of glitter. The Swarovski Star is made up of 25,000 crystals, with one million facets, and measures nine and a half feet in diameter and one and a half feet deep. The Star features energy-efficient LED bulbs and a state-of-the-art computer program, to create a stunning, twinkling effect through customized light sequencing.
Credit: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for Swarovski
The star was raised atop the 94-foot-high, 56-foot wide, 14-ton Norway Spruce in Rockefeller Center, where it will sit for the remainder of the 2016 holiday season. It will be featured during the 84th Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Wednesday, November 30.
On November 14th, actress Denée Benton made her Broadway debut in the musical Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812 and was dubbed the star raiser for Swarovski’s 13th annual ceremony.
Swarovski collaborated with The Great Comet on set design and costumes, with over 20,000 crystal starbursts appearing in set chandeliers and over 100,000 crystals adorning costumes in the Broadway Production. This brilliant partnership has elevated the electro-pop show’s artistic execution and added a special Swarovski sparkle to the characters.
Credit: Chad Batka
When asked what Benton felt Swarovski added to the production she said, “It is it’s own star. The cast, we have our own gifts but the set design and the costumes are equally worthy of all the praise. The chandeliers and the big comet that becomes the Great Comet are adorned with 20,000 Swarovski crystals. The way they catch the light is just amazing. The show would not be the same without all of those pieces.”
Credit: Chad Batka
The show opened at the Imperial Theatre in New York City on November 14th.
Source URL: https://dujour.com/culture/denee-benton-swarovski-shining-star/