Redesigning Costumes for Running Shows?

Ask Max von Essen about the Christmas-wrap vest they put on his Act 1 Enjolras partly through the run of the last revival.

A show being completely frozen is kind of a myth. Any long running show, especially, will always see minor changes and tweaks as original cast members depart and new ones are brought in.



For direction and choreography it may have to do with what the replacement is capable of (Chicago is a great example of this, as they have several versions of the choreography for Roxie depending on the skill of the actress playing the part). Sometimes it may be some bit of direction or business that was tailored so specifically to the skill set of the originating actor that no other replacement could actually pull it off.



In regards to changes to the costume design, again many factors could be in play here. You may have some star replacement who refuses to wear a certain color (an extreme example, but it has happened). Depending on how long a show has been running certain fabrics may no longer be available by the time a new costume has to be built for a replacement. Or the producers may be wanting to save some money and will choose to put a replacement, swing, or understudy in a costume that was originally cut and redesigned during an out of town tryout or previews (Hairspray did this with Tracy, her costume for "You Can't Stop the Beat" could be different depending on which actress was on that night; some had the dress that Marissa Jaret Winokur ultimately ended up in, others were in the earlier incarnation of it that was discarded at some point during the show's development). And of course there is the reality that sometimes the design may not just look good on the replacement actor (years ago I worked on the non-Eq tour of Cinderella with NETworks, and our Fairy Godmother had pretty much the exact opposite body type of Eartha Kitt, who had been playing the role when the tour was Equity, so she had a completely redesigned costume while the understudy was able to be put into the original design).

William Ivy Long is constantly changing Chicago. There are basic "ideas" for each character and dancer but he tends to alter them from actor to actor. I've heard him talk about this several times.

^ they will remain black, slinky, lacy, form fitting.



its just an advertising scheme.

Eh, CHICAGO is different - it is always changing, yes, but the wardrobe does not strike me as "costumes" (most of them) so much as stylized dance wear. You don't think "Roxie Hart - black lace leotard!" like you do "Anita - purple dress!". That's their schtick (the changing) - they have to do something to counteract all that black. CHICAGO is not at all to what I'm referring but appreciate the example.



And I get changing a costume, choreography, etc. to capitalize on an incoming actor's strengths and to minimize other areas (i.e., the Fairy Godmother's costume in CINDERELLA).



But those types of changes seem to be necessitated by a rationale - and do not always have to be a great departure from the original design.

In my opinion, it seems a bit drastic and maybe unnecessary to change, say, Christine's wig color just...because, or, at least, not for any apparent reason. Of course, POTO is an industry on its own and can take any risks at this point. The Slave Girls could twerk and people would still come. Curious, is all.



The new Morrible dress seems to be the exact same (highly) flattering cut that accommodates many body types, same details, embellishments, etc...just a different color. I wonder who makes that type of call. I know there's no right answer - just interested in how it would come about.



Would the costume designer have to approve such a change or have any say-so?

When Petra Sinawawski took over the role of Cassie in the london production of a chorus line she wore a blues dress for "the music and the mirror". She was very pale and ginger and red wouldn't have done her any favour

Stritch in the original Company wore the black and white outfit that showed off her great legs. Its in all the production photos. Later stars that I saw (Jane Russell and Julie Wilson) playing the role had a completely different dress: all black, one piece, looser and longer. I don't know if there are photos of this dress though because Russell was photographed in Stritch's B&W ensemble. I don't know if Wilson or Vivian Blaine were photographed in the black dress.

Saycon Sengbloh DID have a different costume. But only for part of her run. "Scary Spice" wore the same costume, as did Simone... The reversered the colors - black or silver pants with a blue top.

Shayna Steele (not sure of others) wore the original costume with an added black lace skirt.