when Paramount’s
LaserSpectacular was presented for the first time at the Woodlawn Theater
in San Antonio, Texas. At the time, producer Steve Monistere was staging
Jazz and Blues concerts there. A local lasers approached Steve with
the idea of producing a laser show. Steve had never seen a laser show,
but reluctantly agreed to give the idea a try.
Both shows
sold out and the rest, as they say, is history! Steve immediately made
upgrades to the show and started touring it through out Texas. The show
gathered steam as it rolled across the US playing to packed houses.
1987 Marc Solis
came on board and began helping Monistere promote half of the eighty
plus dates each year. By 1990, Solis had taken over the primary day
to day business of promoting the show. Marc left the company in 1999
and now works in Facility Management for SMG.
In 1991, “Laser
Dave” McConkey took over the duties of tour production manager and
lead laserist. Dave took a leave of absence from the company in 2007
but now………heeeees baaackkk. Much of the early success is attributed
to Dave’s hard work in preparing for, and staging the show as it toured.
It’s great to have him on board again.
Lane McConahy
has been with LaserSpectacular since 1994 and still is with the tour
as stage manager and truck driver. Lane has gotten the tour to it’s
destination on time and safely in the most extreme conditions. “Lane
Rules”!
With the increased
speed of computer and the advancement of digital technology, the show
has improved greatly over the years. Courtney Ryan Waters was as a 20
year old “rookie” when he started working with LaserSpectacular.
Over the past 12 years Ryan has horned his considerable skills and now
serves as LaserSpectacular’s Production Designer and chief technician.
Ryan also programs some of the video and lasers for the show.
After 24 years
of playing theaters through out the world, it’s not only the world’s
longest touring laser show, but the LONGEST TOURING THEATER SHOW IN
HISTORY! The LaserSpectacular has sold out in many markets including
Houston, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas and New York City. Recently
the show played to 14,000 fans at the Minnesota Sate Fair! Each year
the show is updated with technical and creative changes that keep the
audience coming back for more. After 23 years of touring, Paramount’s
LaserSpectacular has become a cult classic in multimedia entertainment!