Questions about Wigs.

[442namffug]

Posted: 5/31/05 at 6:09pm

So wigs seem to be a confusing topic for me. First of all, it looks as if people glue the front of their wigs to their foreheads to make it look like the wigs hair is actually growing from their head. Is this true? Is it latex? How do they match the skin color?
Also, in a show like Wicked, where Glinda changes wigs so often, how do they manage to do it and make them stay on. For example, after the first scene, she has 7 seconds offstage to change wigs (also glue it to her forehead?), change microphones, AND change costumes?

[PJ]

Posted: 5/31/05 at 6:15pm

They don't have to change mics. The mics are woven through their natural hair and draped down onto their forehead. Then the wig is applied. And Kristin once said in an interview that after a while quick changes get down to a science. I remember her saying that after doing it for a while, you even find yourself waiting to go on and having time to get a drink or two. Not to mention the two or three people who are tearing her clothes off and putting the white Shiz costume on.

[morosco]

Posted: 5/31/05 at 6:18pm

Here's a link that will show you a little about the craft of making ventilated (wigs with lace across the front) wigs. Take a look at the prices. They are all done by hand. Many are human hair. And they ain't cheap!
Wig Master Associates

[ShuQ]

Posted: 5/31/05 at 6:19pm

Wow...that's a LOT of money for a wig.

The changes become just as vital...even harder, than the choreography on stage.

[ikmbway]

Posted: 5/31/05 at 6:20pm

Is it literally 7 seconds? Wow thats short lol. I thought it was a little longer. (is that an exaggeration?) Well on The View Idina and JLT were talking and she gets changed in like 9 seconds. If everything is laid out where its suppose to be and ready to be thrown on it will make the process shorter and just have the people who help her be quick and its done.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 5/31/05 at 6:22pm

I believe the dressers also cover wigs...someone does...I am not sure if there is a seperate wig specialist.

[ikmbway]

Posted: 5/31/05 at 6:23pm

Wow that's a lot for wigs but usually they look great and you cant tell its a wig so it explains why its so much money.

Posted: 5/31/05 at 6:37pm

I know that in the DRS Backstage video on Broadway.com they showeed John Litghow putting on a wig so there are men that use them as well, more often than you think.

[Derech2]

Posted: 5/31/05 at 6:40pm

O_O;; Those better be nice wigs ... :-P

I remember getting a backstage tour of Les Mis and the bishop has a 14 second change, and I think it included wig because when he came on his hair was different ...

[Mamie]

Posted: 5/31/05 at 6:42pm

I wondered the same about the wigs worn by the Cagelles in "LCaF". Those dancers really give those wigs a workout and they all manage to stay on - until the end, of course. They tear them off with no apparent problem at all.

(I've worn a wig occasionally - not on stage - and I've always felt like it was going to slide off at any time!)

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 5/31/05 at 6:46pm

None of the wigs in our costume dept are under $400, I would expect Bway to have $4000 wigs!