Q&A: Bowled Over

Kirk Baird

Sunday, Jan. 30, 2000 | 10 a.m.

As the nation turns its collective attention away from the monotony of the daily grind to the excitement of the gridiron, it's time once again for the yearly spectacle that is the Super Bowl.

And part of that pageantry comes in the form of the half-time show.

Both loved and hated, there's no doubt that the roughly 10-minute show has given Americans some interesting memories: Michael Jackson's crotch-grabbing fest in Super Bowl XXVII comes to mind, not to mention the New Kids on the Block highlight -- if you can call it that -- from XXV.

This year's production, however, holds the promise of something better. And one of the people behind today's spectacle and pageantry is Gail Davies-Sigler, choreographer for the Super Bowl XXXIV half-time show.

Born in England, the 43-year-old Sigler came to the United States in 1982, moving to Las Vegas five years later, where she and her husband, Robert, still live. In a recent Q&A session with the Las Vegas Sun -- with a Walt Disney publicist listening in and monitoring the interview -- Sigler talked about her work on the half-time show, what she'll be doing when the production is under way, and what team she's rooting for.

Question: How did you get to be involved in this project?

Answer: A year and a half ago I was introduced to Gary Paben, senior show director for Walt Disney World Entertainment. Gary does all the large events for Walt Disney World Entertainment, such as the opening ceremonies for Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park, which had a cast of about 2,000. Shortly after I started (working with Disney) we began preparation for the millennium event, a 15-month-long celebration which ends Jan. 1, 2001. The show includes a new parade, "Tapestry of Nations," which has 120 large puppets and 30 rolling drum units. The whole theme of the Super Bowl show is tied to the millennium show.

Q: What can people look forward to seeing?

A: The show opens with 80 choir members, 26 cymbal players and about 50 set drummers. We also have a live orchestra and 50 marching drummers. Of course, we have our puppeteers, 30 of them, and we have 50 children between the ages of 6 and 8. We open the show with two stars coming out, Enrique Iglesias and Christina Aguilera, and they're singing music from Walt Disney World Millennium Celebration. Then we go into the dancers working on the stage. Then we go into Phil Collins and his band and backup singers. And, of course, we have all the choirs, dancers and children. We close with Toni Braxton on stage, and then everybody's on stage. It's not just a concert, it's a huge theatrical experience ... it's a beautiful picture on stage.

Q: The Super Bowl is one of the most-watched programs on TV. Does that create any extra pressure on you?

A: I've done a lot of big events, where you do them one time only, so I'm used to the pressure. I choreograph the largest theater in Europe -- which has over 100 dancers -- in Berlin. I'm used to a very big cast. Still, the Super Bowl is a special event for a choreographer, one of the biggest events you can do. It's viewed by millions of people, there's nothing more exciting for me. Of course I feel the pressure, but I have such a wonderful and talented and supportive team, I can't imagine it being anything less than wonderful. It's the very, very high point of my career.

Q: What will you be doing during the show? Will you be nervous?

A: I think that I will be running up and down the sideline screaming at everybody (she laughs). I won't be relaxed, I'll be nervous, I'm sure. There's not much you can do once a show has started to run, but if there's anything I can do you can bet I'll be there. I won't be relaxing with a glass of Coca-Cola, that's for sure.

Q: Is there one team you are rooting for?

A: I didn't know something else was happening. I think they should have a good game of hockey (she laughs). I'm 100 percent doing the show and that's 100 percent of my focus. May the best team win.