After nearly 11 years away from the road, Rush has returned with the Fifty Something Tour, marking a new chapter for founding members Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson alongside drummer Anika Nilles and keyboardist Loren Gold. Opening at Los Angeles' Kia Forum, the production reunites longtime Lighting Designer Howard Ungerleider with a creative team that includes Executive Creative Director Allan Weinrib, Creative Director Dale Heslip, Video Director George Elizondo, Co-Lighting Designer Martin Thomas, and Video Engineer Kevin Lieberman.

The result is an ambitious production built around a New York rooftop-inspired set, immersive lighting, cinematic video, and virtual set extensions that reinforce the show's central themes of renewal and rejuvenation.

PRG was proud to provide the tour's LED, camera systems, and media servers, working closely with the production team to engineer solutions that enhanced both the creative vision and the realities of touring.

Building a Cinematic Video System

Engineering Beyond Equipment

PRG's involvement extended well beyond supplying technology.

The production called for an automated downstage LED eyebrow with stage left and stage right returns. To create a seamless visual appearance, PRG collaborated with Didriek Larsen and the PRG Projects team to engineer and fabricate a custom 90-degree corner solution for the ROE Vanish 8 LED panels. The custom design simplified rigging while allowing the LED surfaces to meet with a continuous visual line from the audience's perspective.

PRG also helped reduce automation requirements by utilizing two wide headers from its Vanish Solid Touring inventory, cutting the number of required automated hoists by 50 percent while maintaining the integrity of the original design.

"One of the most rewarding aspects of this project was seeing how small engineering and design refinements could have a meaningful impact on the overall production," said Erik Paquette, Vice President, Music, and Randall Knight, Project Manager. "The custom corners and hoist reductions are good examples of how collaboration can improve both the visual result and touring efficiency."

A Collaborative Production

The project brought together a highly experienced production team that collaborated closely from pre-production through rehearsals and the tour launch.

"This team truly was a dream team to work with," said Paquette and Knight. "From the outset, Narci Martinez placed a great deal of trust in PRG, and his collaborative leadership helped establish a strong foundation for the project."

They continued, "Production Designers Allan Weinrib and Dale Heslip brought a clear visual direction for the show, while Video Director George Elizondo and Video Engineer Kevin Lieberman set an exceptionally high standard for the video system. Projects like this are successful because of the collective expertise and trust shared across the entire production team."

Elizondo echoed that sentiment, highlighting PRG's support throughout the build.

"PRG's been absolutely fantastic. We set a week to prep in their San Fernando shop, and amazing scores of people were ready to jump in and get whatever we needed. No matter what we wanted or asked for, we got it. The support has been second to none."

Partnership First

For PRG, the Rush tour exemplifies a philosophy that goes beyond equipment rental.

"PRG was the right partner because we approach projects holistically," said Paquette and Knight. "Rather than focusing only on the equipment we are providing, we look at how every element of the production interacts. Our role extends beyond supplying technology—we become an extension of the production team, working alongside designers, creatives and management to help deliver the best possible outcome."

"At PRG, we measure success not by the equipment on the show, but by the success of the production as a whole."

For the complete behind-the-scenes story, including interviews with Howard Ungerleider, George Elizondo, Martin Thomas, Kevin Lieberman, and the full production team, read the July 2026 digital edition of PLSN.

Production Credits

Tour Manager: Liam Birt
Production Manager: Narcisco "Narci" Martinez
Executive Creative Director / Producer: Allan Weinrib
Creative Director / Set Designer: Dale Heslip

Lighting
Lighting Designer / Director: Howard Ungerleider
Co-Lighting Designer / Programmer: Martin Thomas
Lighting Crew Chief: Ryan Anderson
RoboSpot Technician: Josh Barnes
Lighting Technicians: Mike Mundrick, Ryan Megaw, Cody Carver, Michah Vaughn

Video
Video Director: George Elizondo
Video Engineer: Kevin Lieberman
Media Server Programmer / Operator: Andreanne LaFrance
Video Crew Chief: Kenny Ackerman
Camera Operators / LED Technicians: Ken Bowman, Oscar Canales, Justin Smith
Lead LED Technician: Elliot Maude
Rail Cam Technician: Shah Fisal
Screens Producer: LUZ Studio

Special Effects
Pyrotechnician: John Arrowsmith
Laser Technician: Bradford Kellogg

Rigging & Automation
Head Rigger: Willy Williams
Rigger: Shawn Gibson
Automation Riggers: Sebastien Richard, Bryan Richard

Stage & Scenic
Stage Manager: Joshua Perree
Production Coordinator: Gage Freeman
Head Carpenter: Scott Badue
Carpenters: David Escobar, Jonathan McDonough
Scenic Carpenter: George Steinert

Vendors
Lighting: Premier Global Production
Video: PRG
Lasers: Production Design International
Video Content: LUZ Studio
Pyrotechnics: ffp effects
Barriers: Guardian Barrier Services
Set Fabrication: Mood Design and Fabrication
Staging: Accurate Staging
Rigging" Five Points Production Services
Automation: SCR Automation
Trucking: Upstaging

Photography: All images courtesy of Rush for PLSN