Understudy's and Standbyes costumes.- Page 2

[MaronaDavies]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 6:15pm

For Chicago--I'm not sure about the principals' costumes, but I'm almost certain that the ensemble costumes are never recycled. Every swing/chorus member has his or her own individual costume. In the case of the swings, they'll wear the same costume for any character they play in the ensemble.

Most of the time, shows do hang onto old costumes when people have left the show. If the costumes are too damaged or old to be reused or rented out, Wardrobe will often recycle the fabric/beads/etc. to repair costumes currently in use.

[Horton]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 7:44pm

All the principals' costumes are saved, as well as all the ensambles, Charlotte has talked about this to great extend.

[AnythingCanHappen]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 9:47pm

MissElphie - a lot of the individual costumes actually comes down to Susan Hilferty's instructions as well. She tries to see the show rather often, and if she doesnt like a costume that a person is wearing, as she often designs costumes specifially towards the wearer, she will often change it up (mainly with the Ozians.)

I know with Altar Boyz they do share some items, but they often have to switch some items out as well because of stock. The brand of cordoruoys(sp) that 'Mark' wears is discontinuing their male cords' so they will have to find something different. His costume is the only one that hasnt really changed since the beginning. But if you look through the timeline of the show, every character has had different looks depending on the actor, and a lot of time depending on what they have (some stuff is simply bought out and kept in stock because it is on sale, where as some things are ordered and customized.) The costumer for Altar Boyz is on the Altarholics website and shared lots of info with fans.

I love hearing all of this because I am looking into teching/costuming as a career. Love it!

[craftymarley]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 12:18am

Though I don't work in hair and wigs, I know that they sometimes are shared. I know that Constantine's Sammy wig was actually Stephen's original wig in Seattle and it had then been given to Joberg as a Sammy understudy, and then finally to Constantine. During the closing weekend of Lestat, Hugh's wig came right off of his head from act 1 and went right on to Drew's for act 2, the same with Drew's Armand wig. Also, I remember watching behind the scenes at Lestat videos and I clearly remember Nikki Renee Daniels telling one of the wig people that new wigs were never built for her when she went into Aida, so presumably it's something that's done pretty regularly.

Costumes are frequently shared and usually doubled for size reasons. It is also shocking just how expensive a lot of the costumes are, and so clearly it's a huge expensive to keep creating doubles. My guess is that it cost about $20,000 to put Constantine into Sammy, and those aren't even elaborate costumes.

[nycdncr]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 1:25am

I'm swinging 'White Christmas' again this year. Last year, I was fortunate enough to have an entire set of costumes custom made for me. When you get thrown in as a swing, it's comforting to know the costumes fit....one last thing to worry about. I was told that our suits for the show cost a few thousand dollars a piece; so when you add up 3 suits, a few pair of custom pants, all the vintage clothing, and about 10 pairs of shoes, they spent a pretty penny on my swing costumes alone.

[kelzama]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 8:41am

regarding wigs: frequently the body of the wig is recycled from performer to performer (after being thoroughly washed and styled) and the mesh hairline of the wig is replaced to match the hairline of the performer. Same with costume elements, if the costumes are elaborate.

Most shows don't have the budget or storage space to hold onto costumes of performers from a bygone era. What's not recycled or destroyed from use is sold off in lots. Hence places like Costume World carry genuine Broadway costumes.

[Here_I_Go_Again]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 9:02am

whats costume world????

[kelzama]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 11:09am

It's a giant costume house that purchases costumes & accessories from theaters & movies. There's one here in Pittsburgh, another in FL. If memory serves, among their purchases are some true gems of musical theater, including Vanessa Williams' ITTW witch. I'll try to find the article. All the costumes are for rent, except the exceptional, which are archived.

Edited for clarity and link.

costume world Updated On: 11/27/06 at 11:09 AM

[PirateSmile]

Posted: 11/29/06 at 4:32pm

My guess is that it cost about $20,000 to put Constantine into Sammy, and those aren't even elaborate costumes.

Thanks, crafty...
I've wondered about Constantine, if his height would pose a problem with sharing wardrobe... I guess the answer is 'yes'.....
Thanks for your insight, I love hearing from people who actually know something and can share...