Question about wigs
Question about wigs
#1Question about wigs
Posted: 10/8/10 at 6:11pm
I've wondered about this on several occasions, but why are some wigs so closely modeled on the hair of the actor? Bernadette Peters is an obvious example, but I was also wondering this when I saw I Do! I Do! in Westport. Kate Baldwin was wearing a wig that was nearly the exact shade of red of her own hair, which made the line "I'm gonna dye my hair bright red" seem a little superfluous.
I know this is probably a dumb question, but I was just wondering.
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#2Question about wigs
Posted: 10/8/10 at 6:17pm
A couple of reasons:
1. A wig holds it shape better...no worries about a "do" falling.
2. It's always what you expect it to be. No bad hair days.
3. Often actresses prefer a wig to protect their natural hair from gads of product (spray, gel, etc), the harsh treatment (brushing, teasing, irons) and the harsh lights.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#2Question about wigs
Posted: 10/8/10 at 6:19pmright, that I understand. What I don't understand is why all of Bernadette's wigs look just like her hair. Why is Kristin Chenoweth never wigged to be a brunette?
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
#3Question about wigs
Posted: 10/8/10 at 6:28pmMaybe they want actor's personality to come across more.
When my goodbye post was removed: “but I had a great dramatic finish!!!!”
AEA AGMA SM
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/13/09
#4Question about wigs
Posted: 10/8/10 at 11:14pm
Wig design is just like costume design in that they are going to design something that reflects the character. And just like costume design the script may sometimes dictate some aspect of that design, for instance characters such as Johanna or Elle Woods obviously need to be blonde. However, even in those cases there are many shades and variations of blonde and it is part of the designer's job to find the shade that would look best on the actress playing the role.
The same will go for those designs where hair color is not dictated by the script. The designer, in collaboration with the director and costume designer, will choose what hair color they think will best fit both the character and the actor playing the role. Some actors, such as Kristin Chenoweth, are very well known with their "natural" color (I put that in quotes because sometimes the color they are best known for having may not be their true color), so there is little incentive to move to far away from that color if there is no textual reason to do so. Others are known for a specific style or texture, such as Bernadette and her curls, so the designer will often work to incorporate something of that look into the design for the character.
two ladies tickets
Featured Actor Joined: 5/21/10
#5Question about wigs
Posted: 10/10/10 at 1:00pmIn a nut shell, since actors aren't required to be at the theatre until 30 minutes before the performance, it's much easier to take 5 minutes to slap a wig on then to take 2 hours to do your hair.
#6Question about wigs
Posted: 10/10/10 at 3:39pmI believe the only wig in the Broadway production of In The Heights was Abuela Claudia's. Possibly Daniela's, but I could be wrong.
#7Question about wigs
Posted: 10/10/10 at 7:30pm^ They also wigged Janet Dacal when she was playing Nina.
#9Question about wigs
Posted: 10/10/10 at 7:34pmWhen it comes to Bernadette Peters, I think most people WANT to see those red curls. They even incorporated it into her Madame Rose wig. I'm sure they will be incorporated into her Sally Durant wig too.
#10Question about wigs
Posted: 10/10/10 at 9:09pmThe first thing that came to mind was Chad Kimball in Memphis.
BrodyFosse123
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/06
#11Question about wigs
Posted: 10/10/10 at 9:12pm
Andrea Burns (and every other actress who has played Daniela) wears a wig. Andrea's natural hair is too thin and would require extensive hair products to maintain that Daniela hairdo -- 8 times a week.
Videos