332 Part 5 · Example Show Control Systems A huge flash of lightning illuminates the stage and, two seconds later, "Kaboom!" the audi- ence's seats shake as a huge thunderclap rolls through the venue. Ephraim Cubit, his three sons, and the girl next door are all huddled under the kitchen table as the storm continues. From the ever-shortening time between the lightning flashes and thunderclaps, we can tell that the storm is fast approaching. "I sure wish I had cut down that big, dead oak tree next to the house!" shouts Ephraim. As the word "house" leaves his lips, there is a blinding flash and simultaneous thunderclap. Seconds later, an oak branch smashes through the window upstage. As the sound of the giant thunderclap decays, Ephraim suffers one final indignity: his lights go out, leaving the stage in darkness. T HE M ISSION This musical version of Desire Under the Oaks is being produced at a major regional theatre. The director will "spare no expense" to ensure that this sequence comes off perfectly night after night, although she has also insisted that the sequence not be "canned." We must keep in mind that "sparing no expense" in the regional theatre world is equivalent to sparing every expense at a theme park; controls will be selected with an eye on keeping the cost as low as possible while still achieving the director's goal. D ESIGN C ONSIDERATIONS