His work has been viewed by millions as the scenery surrounding Oscar award-winning actors like Anthony Hopkins, Hilary Swank, and Geena Davis; but instead of coming from Hollywood, the next artists to give brilliant performances on a set built under the direction of Richmond's Richard Blankenship will be from Virginia Opera.
The Blankenship Company, locally owned by Mr. Blankenship, is constructing a $50,000 set at its West Broad St. studio for a new production of Jacques Offenbach's Tales of Hoffmann, which opens Virginia Opera's 2007-2008 season and includes performances at the Landmark Theater on Oct. 19 and 21.
Since starting his company here in the early 1980s, Mr. Blankenship has been the construction coordinator for numerous major film and television productions, including most recently:
• "John Adams" (2008 – HBO mini-series)
• "The New World" (2005)
• "War of the Worlds" (2005)
• "Mickey" (2004)
• "Iron Jawed Angels" (2004 – HBO original movie)
• "Hearts in Atlantis" (2001)
• "Hannibal" (2001)
Designed by Scenic Designer Erhard Rom, the new Tales of Hoffmann set will give audiences a taste of Nuremburg, Munich and Venice during performances of a production that also includes new lighting and costume designs. Mr. Rom's most recent collaboration with The Blankenship Company for last year's Virginia Opera premiere of Carlisle Floyd's "Susannah" resulted in scenery hailed by critics as "stunning" and "clever." -- www.vaopera.org
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