question about nine's costumes?? and other costumes for shows??

[musicaltheatreman]

Posted: 11/6/03 at 12:00am

i just finished watching the video on broadway.com of the new cast of nine and noticed that they gave the new carla a new costume??? what happen to the grogouse tan see through dress jane k. wore??? why did they change it???

do shows often change the costumes of charators when the orginal actor leaves the show??? if so what shows have done this and why??

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 11/6/03 at 12:24am

I really don't think they change the costumes often...only when needed or wanted.

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 11/6/03 at 12:26am

i think it's to flatter the new cast's appearance or body type. It seems to happen with shows/characters that are very body-conscious---i recall it happening off and on throughout the long run of the CHICAGO revival. Also with the various Dorothy Brocks who followed Tammy Grimes in the first run of 42nd STREET. It's not unprecedented at all. Hell, when Ann Miller went into DOLLY they added a tap number and a skirt that could accomodate it!

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 11/6/03 at 12:29am

Well, the new Carla does have a pretty full chest, if you know what I mean.

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 11/6/03 at 12:30am

THEATRE 11, that's funny, i just saw the tour of FULL MONTY and the "endanger the sweater" line sprung to mind with your post. They had an Estelle that was stacked for the upper balcony.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 11/6/03 at 12:33am

I will hopefully see The Full Monty tour in April. I will keep that in mind!

[ChrisLovesShows]

Posted: 11/6/03 at 12:34am

I think Dollypop will back me up in saying that Ann Miller never played Dolly on Broadway. She did play Mame.

Updated On: 11/6/03 at 12:34 AM

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 11/6/03 at 12:45am

U could be right, that story of Ann Miller was anecdotal. Maybe the tap and skirt went into MAME. Or maybe Miller played Dolly on the road. Or maybe try the spirit and not the letter! *wink*

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 11/6/03 at 12:51am

the tour cast of MONTY will change by April as it is going non-Equity (converting) after Xmas. Sorry about that!

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 11/6/03 at 12:58am

Well that really sucks!

[WOSQ]

Posted: 11/6/03 at 11:31am

Ann Miller played Dolly for the Kenley circuit in Ohio. When she walked out for So Long Dearie the audience could hear the click-click-click of her taps on her shoes. In the middle of the number Annie whipped off her skirt and started tapping for all she was worth. The audience loved it.

Never mind for one moment that Dolly is the kind of character that wouldn't rip off her skirt much less tap.

In Mame, That's How Young I Feel was restaged as a tap number for her which sort of fits. She also ditched her skirt for the dance.

Stritch's costume for Company was "hers". It showed her famous legs quite nicely. Jane Russell who replaced her after a year had a new dress (black, longer, and that hung straight down off her bust) that was also used by Julie Wilson in the bus-and-truck and presumably by Vivian Blaine who took over from Russell for the last 3 months in NY.

Russell did have her production pictures taken in Stritch's black and white costume, but it didn't last.

Both costumes were complimentary to the actresses and played to their strengths.

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 11/6/03 at 5:09pm

thanx WOSQ for your always well-researched and insightful gentle information. You're a scholar and a gentleman/lady.