Most and Least Favorite Costumes

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/30/13 at 2:24am

What are some of everyone's favorite and least favorite costume designs, either from the past or from a current show?

I've always hated the current "Chicago's" designs, simple and sleek as they might be, and wish they'd have gone for a more period oriented design.

One of my all-time favorites, although I only know it from photographs, is the original "A Little Night Music," with everyone all in white for act one and then branching out in various colors for act two.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 7/30/13 at 2:49am

Love:
Jekyll & Hyde (revival)
Shrek
Priscilla
Evita (revival)
Anything Goes (2011 Roundabout revival)
Mary Poppins
Cinderella
Women On The Verge

Hate:
Wicked (the Doctor Seuss concept annoys me to no end)
Wonderland
Beauty and the Beast (current non equity tour)
Little Mermaid
Tarzan

[joshbrown31]

Posted: 7/30/13 at 3:06am

hate:
Sutton's costume in little women. those puffy sleeves were NOT flattering.
Laura Benanti's wig in the wedding singer... omg.

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 7/30/13 at 8:49am

Hate:
The Addams Family

Love:
Phantom

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 7/30/13 at 8:56am

I agree with the OP that Florence Klotz's costumes for the original NIGHT MUSIC were ravishing. But a slight correction-- the all-white looks (actually creams and palest blues) were for the opening of Act II when the entire cast arrives at the Armfeldt estate in their motoring outfits. Act I was mostly pastels, and later Act II moved into deeper jewel tones for evening wear.

That same year Patricia Zipprodt blew me away with her incredibly witty sexy-scary Pippin designs. Compared to the current revival which relies on painted danskin altogether too much for me, the original showed real flesh and real danger.

I'll second the hate for the rehearsal clothes in the current Chicago revival.

[suestorm]

Posted: 7/30/13 at 9:07am

has to be phantom! the ballroom, ballerinas, the plays within the play.

[PattyO'Furniture]

Posted: 7/30/13 at 10:11am

I also really hate the "costumes" in CHICAGO as well. What's the point?

POTO - absolutely wonderful
I love the witch's costume in the ITW revival.

[Wynbish]

Posted: 7/30/13 at 10:19am

I think the Chicago revival costumes suit the minimalist staging and scenery. It would feel even colder and disjointed had period costumes and flapper dresses been in front of a dark backdrop and minimal sets. This way, it's more purposeful.

Speaking of Phantom, I think the Hannibal costumes in the beginning are hideous.

I loved the costumes in the Kiss Me Kate revival. The off-stage clothes felt very period-appropriate, and the on-stage clothes helped give the idea of how a regional theatre would colorfully dress their actors to do a Shakespeare show.

[all that jazz]

Posted: 7/30/13 at 11:24am

I think the costumes for CATS are absolutely brilliant!

Other faves:

POTO
Original La Cage
Lion King
Taboo
Original Pippin

[madbrian]

Posted: 7/30/13 at 12:51pm

I'd add City of Angels to some of the favorites already mentioned.

[Jungle Red]

Posted: 7/30/13 at 1:03pm

No one has mentioned Wicked, which surprises me. I love the ensemble costumes and all of Elphaba's.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/30/13 at 2:33pm

Thanks for clearing that up, Someone in a Tree2. I guess I was just going off the picture of the act two opening and a few others. I wish I had been able to actually see it.

[sparepart973]

Posted: 7/30/13 at 3:43pm

All of Norma Desmond's drag outfits in the original production. Just fab.
Mame.

[Kelly2]

Posted: 7/30/13 at 3:47pm

How about from the same show? Jessie Mueller's costumes as Melinda Wells were breathtakingly beautiful. All the other costumes in that show, particularly Sarah Stiles, were hideous.

[justincharacter]

Posted: 7/30/13 at 3:53pm

Most: The Lion King, Phantom of the Opera, Cinderella, and Wicked. Personally, I think my all time favorite costume is Elphaba's Act II dress in Wicked. It is absolutely gorgeous! I hope it makes it's appearance in the film.

Updated On: 7/30/13 at 03:53 PM

[all that jazz]

Posted: 7/30/13 at 4:10pm

My all time favorite costume.

[OKBroadwayFan]

Posted: 7/30/13 at 10:40pm

Did you get to see this Evita costume live?

It was one of those magical theater moments. The way the lights from behind made it glisten, the way the balcony slowly moved forward on the stage, the music. Incredible!

[all that jazz]

Posted: 7/30/13 at 10:47pm

I did and I couldn't hold back the tears. It was pure magic!

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 7/30/13 at 10:47pm

LOVE: Everything Howard Crabtree touched in Howard Crabtree's Whoop-Dee-Doo!. Gone but not forgotten by me.

[sanda]

Posted: 7/31/13 at 9:28am

Favorite



Updated On: 7/31/13 at 09:28 AM

[morosco]

Posted: 7/31/13 at 9:35am

Most favorite would be William Ivey Long's costumes for NINE.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 7/31/13 at 9:57am

"I also really hate the "costumes" in CHICAGO as well. What's the point?"

Gotta keep INTERNATIONAL MALE in business somehow.

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 7/31/13 at 10:20am

Namo, you reminded me of the astonishing costumes (and costume changes) in "The Mystery of Irma Vep."

Or, for that matter, in any Charles Ludlam, Ridiculous Theater Company production. I was lucky enough to catch a few of his shows when I first moved to the city as a pup.

[OperaBwayLover]

Posted: 7/31/13 at 11:11am

My favorites:

Cats, Wicked (I especially love the blue Glinda gown even though Elphaba is my favorite character), Lion King, Phantom, Chicago (the original production), A Chorus Line, and Aida.

Honorable mention: the yellow dress from Contact.

[gchris11]

Posted: 7/31/13 at 12:06pm

favorite: Naked Boys Singing

worst: The Shaggs