Super Half Time Planned: 88 Pianos, 88 ‘Great’ Legs

NEEDED: 88 piano players to perform at half time of Super Bowl XXII in San Diego on Jan. 31. Must be unflappable, because members of the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes will dance on top of the baby grand pianos while they’re being played. Must be able to tickle the ivories with feeling and conviction and flair, even in a driving rain. Can’t be intimidated by the knowledge that 185 million people will be watching on televisions around the globe. Must know a classical piece, a pop piece AND a boogie-woogie piece, and play one of each to qualify. Must be willing to play strictly on a volunteer basis--not a penny is being paid.

Andy Warhol once said that in the future everyone will be famous for 15 minutes. For 88 piano players, this is a distinct possibility.

At 9 a.m. today, judges will welcome to a harshly lit audition room at San Diego State University many, many prospective pianists, who, if they’re chosen, have a most unusual mission awaiting them. Piano players from all over the country have responded by the score--they want to play at half time of the Super Bowl and are willing to come to San Diego to audition in front of a critical panel of judges.

“The show will feature 88 pianists playing 88 pianos, accompanying the Rockettes, the 88 greatest legs in show business,” said Sandy Konar, secretary of the music department at SDSU, which is helping to judge the auditions.

Auditions will take place today, Sunday and again next Saturday, with final decisions announced a week from today. In addition to winning the hearts of the judges, pianists must be 18 or older and in good physical condition. By Friday, 75 had signed up for the first day alone, with more to follow Sunday and even more expected next Saturday.

“Numerology is a big deal here,” said Frank Supovitz, associate producer of special events for the Super Bowl half time show. Supovitz’ regular job is director of special events at Radio City Music Hall. San Diego’s is the first Super Bowl at which the Rockettes have been invited to appear.

A Big Day for Number 88

“Look!” Supovitz said excitedly. “The game is in 1988. There are 88 keys on a piano, and 88 is the largest number of pianos ever assembled for any kind of field show. The previous high number was 84 at the closing ceremonies of the ’84 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.”

Supovitz said the 44 Rockettes and their 88 legs will dance on top of 44 pianos, but only in the show’s finale. He declined to say what the content of the show would be, adding in a conspiratorial whisper that “it’s a closely guarded secret.”

What kind of pianists is he looking for?

“Magnificent ones!” he said, adding that it doesn’t matter if they come from a music school, a music store, a ragtime bar or a rock band. They have to play the first 15 seconds of Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A Minor, then a boogie-woogie piece and a pop piece of their own choosing--if, that is, they haven’t grossed out the judges after 15 seconds.

Isn’t it rather chintzy that the pianists aren’t being paid, since the Super Bowl brings in so much revenue?

“No, it isn’t chintzy at all!” Supovitz said. “It’s the chance of a lifetime! A few minutes of fame on international television (the game will be televised by ABC), and you know, money just can’t quantify the beauty of that kind of experience.”

Supovitz said the show would feature a total of 1,500 performers, including the marching bands of Patrick Henry High School, San Diego State University and the University of Southern California.

Event Poses Problems

The extravagance of the show does present problems. SDSU’s Konar said all pianos would have to be tuned on the morning of the game and covered with protective sealant, so as not to be damaged by the feet of the rollicking Rockettes.

Even the method for bringing the 88 pianos onto the playing surface has taken on Pentagon-like dimensions and must remain, Konar said, another closely guarded secret.

“How they’ll be brought on is part of the show’s surprise,” she said.

Supovitz said the set-up of the 88 pianos has to be accomplished in seven minutes “or else!” Charged with the task of such lightning-like quickness will be a beefy crew of 400 men.

And what about the elements?

“If it rains,” Supovitz said dryly, “people will get wet, including piano players and dancing girls. The game will go on, won’t it? Well, then, we’ll go on too.

“It has to be that kind of deal. You see, it has to be super.”