Luminosity – Ignite the Night!

Luminosity – Ignite the Night!, often shortened to Luminosity, (previously named Luminosity - Powered by Pepsi), was a nighttime show performed nightly at Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio. It replaced American Portrait and the WildCat roller coaster. The show opened for previews on June 1, 2012 and held its grand-opening one week later. It ran nightly at 9:15 pm until August 19. From 2013 to 2017, the show ran every night at 9:30 pm except Tuesdays from May 31 – August 18.

Luminosity – Ignite the Night!
Luminosity's stage and DJ with Power Tower in the background.
Cedar Point
AreaCelebration Plaza
Coordinates41.480033°N 82.681818°W / 41.480033; -82.681818
StatusClosed
Cost$6,000,000
Soft opening dateJune 1, 2012 (2012-06-01)
Opening dateJune 8, 2012 (2012-06-08)
Closing dateAugust 20, 2017
ReplacedAmerican Portrait
WildCat
Replaced byVertical Impact
General statistics
Attraction typePyrotechnic, fireworks, laser, acrobatics, dance and light show
DesignerRWS and Associates (2012)
Chauvet Professional
Duration25 minutes
Performers25 dancers, 3 drummers, 2 cirque dancers, and 2 D.J's.
SponsorNorth Coast Container
Marathon Petroleum

The show was free with admission to the park. During the day, the stage was used for the Peanuts' Celebration at the Point show. It is also used during HalloWeekends for a show called Skeleton Crew.

History

Thoughts of a new way to improve the nighttime environment began in summer 2011 when the new previous Cedar Fair CEO, Matt Ouimet was in the park one night and thought they should add more lights and excitement. The goal was to create a new show that would energize the main midway with bright lights and music. Matt Ouimet first mentioned the show at a conference in January 2012. Details of Luminosity were first announced at the PointBuzz winter tour of Cedar Point on February 25, 2012.[1][2] The 3,600 square foot screen used for American Portrait and Hot Summer Lights was taken down on February 28 because it was not needed for the new show.[3][4] On April 13, Cedar Point officially announced Luminosity.[5] The show debuted on June 1 for previews and its grand opening was held on June 8.[6]

Cedar Point worked mainly with the Emmy Award-Winning RWS and Associates and Chauvet Professional to build the production. They wanted RWS to bring in "the biggest, grandest and most expensive night show in Cedar Point's history". Award-winning choreographer EJ Ferencak and Alicia Pociask were responsible for the choreography of the show.[7] Installation took four months and rehearsal occupied three weeks.[8][9][10] The park also worked with Chauvet to set up and program the lights, as well as the lights used on Millennium Force and Power Tower.[11][12] In 2013, Cedar Point built the show "in-house", meaning RWS would not coordinate the show.[13] In addition, the show was performed every night except Tuesday.[14] It has been confirmed by Cedar Point that Luminosity will be replaced by Vertical Impact, an acrobatic and stunt show that will run many times during the day on the same stage, near Iron Dragon.[15]

On August 20, 2017, Luminosity issued their final show.

Overview

As part of Luminosity, several enhancements to the midway and rides were made. A new LED lighting package, similar to the park's WindSeeker, was installed on Millennium Force, Power Tower and the Giant Wheel.[4] Towers with LED graphics and a new sound and light system were installed along the main midway from the front gate to Corkscrew.[16] Gobo patterns were projected from the towers onto the midway and buildings. More than one million lights, including the lights on the stage, rides and buildings were added.[5] Chauvet Professional supplied 700 lights for Luminosity. They also added 36 wash lights to the base of Millennium Force and 16 lights to the base and top of Power Tower.[11][12]

The three-story stage ran parallel to the midway. The back of the stage is 25 feet (7.6 m) high and the length is 75 feet (23 m) long.[4][5][17] Several screens were located on behind the main stage with two that showed close-ups of the performers on the sides of the stage. The stage had video walls made of one-hundred twelve MVP 18 and thirty-seven MVP 37.5 modular video panels.[11] Two screens are next to the control booths and bleachers.[18]

Celebration Plaza
Celebration Plaza during Luminosity

The new show transformed Iron Dragon midway into a new area called Celebration Plaza. The area featured curved edges.[1] A new entrance and queueing area was built for Iron Dragon because the new stage occupied the old queue and entrance area.[4][19] The control booths used for American Portrait were relocated to the side of the midway.[20] On May 2, 2012 it was announced that WildCat would be removed before opening day to expand Celebration Plaza[16] and bleachers were added in its spot.[21] A new concession area with patio seating was built on the left side of the control booth. During the show, a portion of the patio was blocked off as a V.I.P. seating area known as the Pepsi Fan Zone.[17] In addition, a beer garden was added behind the control booth, to the left of the bleachers.[22]

During the day, Luminosity performers did flash mobs, that gave visitors a glimpse of the show.[5] The stage for Luminosity is also used for a Peanuts show called Peanuts' Celebration at the Point. Carly Rae Jepsen held a concert on the Luminosity stage on July 7, 2012. It was free with admission and was the first concert on the stage.[23] The stage was also used during HalloWeekends for a show called Skeleton Crew.[24]

The show

Luminosity started at 9:00 pm every night and ran for about 25 minutes in 2013, cut from 40 minutes previously. It featured 25 dancers, 2 male and 2 female singers, 3 drummers, 2 cirque dancers and 2 DJs.[4] In the middle of the midway, dancers were raised above the crowd. Iron Dragon was closed during the show.[4][25] The show was included free with admission.[26]

Music

Several types of recent and past hit music were used in the show. Older songs were given a modern remix with a pop/rock arrangement. Guests were able to send text messages after the show requesting songs from the DJ's playlist. About 20 songs were used in the show, including On the Floor by Jennifer Lopez, Moves like Jagger by Maroon 5, The Edge of Glory by Lady Gaga, Sexy and I Know It by LMFAO, and Livin' on a Prayer by Bon Jovi.[4] The music related to each segment. For example, Shut Up and Drive by Rihanna, Sweet Dreams by Beyoncé, and Empire State of Mind by Jay-Z were played during "Land Travel". Come Sail Away by Styx was played during "Sea Travel" and E.T. by Katy Perry was played during "Space Travel". Top Thrill Dragster's theme song, Ready to Go by Republica, was also played during "Space Travel".[27][28]

Opening
Welcome to Cedar Point's Luminosity — Ignite the Night, a journey across land and sea that blasts into outer space.

—Opening announcement.[18]

View of Luminosity from the left side of the stage

Just prior to the start of the show, a clock counted down from 1 minute to the kick-off. Music, similar to that in the show, waspiped in. The stage was covered in fog. An announcement was followed by dancers moving to On the Floor by Jennifer Lopez.[27]

Segments

The show was divided into three segments, each with lasers, flames and fireworks.[2][29] Different props are used in each segment.[27] The video content was designed by Bob Bonniol from Chauvet.[11]

Land Travel
The first segment focused on land and cityscapes. Motorcycles and cars appeared on the screens on the stage. Video of Cedar Point's roller coasters, including Millennium Force were played. The performers used umbrellas during a song in this segment.[27]
Sea Travel
The second segment focused on the Seas. Sounds of crashing waves could be heard. Waves and different fish and animals in the ocean could be seen on the screens. Cirque performers dressed as Sea Sirens were on the sides of the stage. Performers used sails at the beginning of this segment.[27]
Space Travel
The third segment focused on outer space. The segment started with a countdown to a Space Shuttle launching. The point of view of astronauts landing on the moon was shown with the sound of mission control being heard. Aliens dancing were also shown on the screens.[27]

Finale

Before the show ended, the DJ started to rise from the front-middle of the stage. Before quietly exiting, the performers used water drums. The show concluded with fireworks and pyrotechnics over the stage while "Firework" by Katy Perry, "Raise Your Glass" by P!nk and "Party Rock Anthem" by LMFAO were played.[27] The DJ then started playing dance music and people could text shout-outs that appeared on the screens.[18] Another DJ works from the balcony of the Ballroom in the Coliseum along the main midway.[5]

Reception

Luminosity — Ignite the Night! had mostly received positive reviews from the general public and enthusiasts. James Koehl from Theme Park Insider described it as "The kind of show that you can watch over and over from different vantage points and see a different show every time."[30] Jeff Putz, co-creator of PointBuzz and creator of CoasterBuzz said "Luminosity succeeds in keeping the energy of the park's guests very high until the moment they leave." Putz along with others criticized the show as too long and having inconsistent singers.[31]

Amusement Today award RWS the Golden Ticket Award for Supplier of the Year for its role in Luminosity. They were awarded the award for their "high-octane energy and drive that made the vision of Luminosity at Cedar Point a huge show success".[8] Other parks such as Six Flags Great America and Darien Lake added a similar show in 2013 as a result of the popularity of Cedar Point's Luminosity.[32][33] Cedar Fair's Former CEO, Matt Ouimet, had said that if the show was successful, the chain would look into expanding it to more of their parks.[4] In an interview with Putz in January 2013, Ouimet labeled the show as an "A" but would give it an "A+" with a few changes in the 2013 season.[13]

See also

References
  1. "2012 Cedar Point Off-season Tour Presentation and New Announcements!". YouTube. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
  2. Chavez, Jon (March 13, 2012). "Details come to light on new park attraction". Toledo Blade. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
  3. Hildebrandt, John (March 1, 2012). "@CPGMJohn: First ever view of Millenn ..." Twitter. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
  4. MacDonald, Brady (April 19, 2012). "Cedar Point to launch Luminosity nighttime spectacular this summer". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
  5. "Luminosity, powered by Pepsi, will light up the night at Cedar Point". PR Newswire. April 13, 2012. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  6. "Luminosity, powered by Pepsi, debuts at Cedar Point". PointBuzz. June 5, 2012. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
  7. "Uniontown man choreographs show for Cedar Point". Herald Standard. Retrieved April 25, 2013.
  8. "Supplier of the Year: RWS rises to the challenge, delivers blockbuster show on tight schedule". Amusement Today. Archived from the original on December 20, 2012. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
  9. "RWS and Associates light up Cedar Point's Luminosity experience". Theme Park Post. May 23, 2012. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  10. "Cedar Point Brings The Party This Summer With 'Luminosity". Entertainment Designer. May 23, 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  11. ""Luminosity, Powered by Pepsi" Infused with CHAUVET® Lights". Chauvet Professional. July 13, 2012. Archived from the original on December 9, 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  12. "CHAUVET® Professional Takes Cedar Point Guests on Colorful Rides". Chauvet Professional. September 20, 2012. Archived from the original on November 30, 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  13. Putz, Jeff (January 2013). "Where The Roller Coasters Come From". PointBuzz/CoasterBuzz. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
  14. "2013 Summer Live Entertainment". Cedar Point. Retrieved February 22, 2013.
  15. "New at Cedar Point In 2018". Retrieved February 24, 2018.
  16. Waterhouse, Mike (May 2, 2012). "Cedar Point to remove WildCat roller coaster to make way for expansion of 'Celebration Plaza'". WEWS-TV. Archived from the original on July 6, 2012. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
  17. Carlton, Tyler (April 23, 2012). "More details about Cedar Point's Luminosity". Coaster-Net. Archived from the original on May 12, 2012. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
  18. "Cedar Point's Luminosity". YouTube. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
  19. "Adding Luminosity to Cedar Point". NewsPlusNotes. April 18, 2012. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
  20. "Cedar Point 2012". PointBuzz. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
  21. "Cedar Point Enhances Night Light Show for 2012". WYTV. July 27, 2012. Archived from the original on February 9, 2013. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
  22. Smith, Ray (August 8, 2012). "Move Over, Kids, It's Grown-Up Time". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
  23. "Carly Rae Jepsen to perform live". Bizjournals. May 24, 2012. Retrieved June 2, 2012.
  24. Haidet, Ryan (August 20, 2012). "Cedar Point to add 2 attractions in 2012". WKYC. Archived from the original on February 9, 2013. Retrieved August 24, 2012.
  25. Thompson, Jeremy (July 20, 2012). "Cedar Point 009". Flickr. Retrieved March 25, 2013.
  26. "Luminosity at Cedar Point". Scene Magazine. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  27. Borgen, Andrew. "Cedar Point — Luminosity: Ignite The Night 2012". YouTube. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
  28. "Top Thrill Dragster Station/Theme Music". YouTube. 2009. Retrieved July 7, 2012.
  29. "Luminosity, Powered by Pepsi, debuts at Cedar Point". PR Newswire. June 5, 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  30. Koehl, James (June 24, 2012). "Luminosity ignites the night at Cedar Point". Theme Park Insider. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
  31. Putz, Jeff (June 9, 2012). "Review: Cedar Point's Luminosity". Jeff Putz. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
  32. Moran, Dan (August 31, 2012). "'igNight' will ignite Six Flags' nights in '13". Chicago Sun Times. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
  33. "Darien Lake announces major improvements for 2013". WHEC-TV. September 21, 2012. Archived from the original on January 29, 2013. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
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