Musical characters that have an "iconic" look?

[Ado Annie D'Ysquith]

Posted: 12/28/14 at 11:05pm

Hey all, I'm working on a freelance project that calls for musical theatre characters that are very recognizable by their appearance. I realize this is hard as costumes vary from production to production, but what ones can you think of?

Examples:
Guido Contini (Black suit, sunglasses)
Elphaba (Green skin, black hat...obviously)
The Phantom (Mask, etc.)
Angel Dumott Schunard (Santa skirt)
Tracy Turnblad (big hair, plaid jumper)

Thanks in advance for your help.

[AHLiebross]

Posted: 12/28/14 at 11:17pm

You already mentioned my first one: The Phantom
Others:
Buddy -- Elf: The Musical
Christine (mop of curls and wedding dress or white nightgown) -- POTO
The King of Siam (bald head -- Thank you Yul Brenner) -- The King and I
Tevye -- Fiddler on the Roof
Spiderman -- Spiderman: Turn off the Dark
Mary Poppins and Bert -- Mary Poppins
Any of the Cats -- Cats
Lumiere, clock, and Chip -- BATB

[Visceral_Fella]

Posted: 12/28/14 at 11:22pm

I think Carrie's prom look is iconic with the pink dress, and then after with the blood. I saw production photos from a version that tried to put her in a green dress, and it was weird looking. I actually thought it was a different character for a second because she wasn't wearing a pink dress.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 12/28/14 at 11:26pm

Annie
Belle in 'Beauty & the Beast'
The Elders in 'The Book of Mormon'
Elphaba/Glinda in 'Wicked'
Eva Peron in 'Evita'
Grizabella/Rum Tum Tugger in 'Cats'
Jean Valjean/Eponine in 'Les Miserables'
The Leading Player in 'Pippin' Updated On: 12/28/14 at 11:26 PM

[lachri5]

Posted: 12/29/14 at 12:00am

Hedwig, obviously

[Charley Kringas Inc]

Posted: 12/29/14 at 12:38am

Mary Flynn (Merrily) - Frumpy

[jkl011]

Posted: 12/29/14 at 12:45am

Sandy from Grease, Mary Poppins, Mark from RENT

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Posted: 12/29/14 at 12:48am

I think Millie's red dress is Thoroughly Modern Millie has become iconic - maybe not at the level of Eva's Casa Rosada ballgown but it's getting up there. I think Maria's white dress in West Side Story is up there, too.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 12/29/14 at 12:52am

Norma Desmond robe and turban.

[AHLiebross]

Posted: 12/29/14 at 12:53am

Speaking of Maria, the other Maria's look is also iconic -- Maria's apron and dirndl in the Sound of Music. Thankfully, the braids over the ears are not -- that seemed to be a contrivance of last year's live TV production.

[Fantod]

Posted: 12/29/14 at 1:20am

I think people are over-exaggerating "iconic". Iconic should be being able to see somebody dressed as that character and instantly know who that person is without context.

Dolly
Annie
The Phantom

[imeldasturn]

Posted: 12/29/14 at 2:50am

The Phantom of POTO and the cats from Cats are all very recognizable, as well Anna from King and I (the dancing dress!!), Elphaba, the characters from Grease...

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 12/29/14 at 6:45am

THIS is ICONIC!

[artscallion]

Posted: 12/29/14 at 8:16am