Red Scare On Sunset - Place: HOLLYWOOD Time: the 1950's, the McCarthy era. Film star Mary Dale Taggart finds that "The Red Menace" has infiltrated her home. When she discovers that her husband, Frank Taggart has been lured into the communist party she wages a war to save everything dear to her heart: her husband, her country and her name above the title of her next motion picture!
Doing the research for this show was a lot of fun. Finding and making the period costumes on a shoestring budget was a challenge. Luckily I already had some of the signature pieces in my collection of costume bins. I rummage through thrift stores in my spare time and find amazing deals most of the time.
Nancy Segal played the very conservative radio personality, Pat Pilford, who had a penchant for unusual hats - much like Hedda Hopper.
The fantasy scene was where my creativity truly flourished. The director wanted me to push the envelope as far as I could go.
Nancy Segal played the very conservative radio personality, Pat Pilford, who had a penchant for unusual hats - much like Hedda Hopper.
The fantasy scene was where my creativity truly flourished. The director wanted me to push the envelope as far as I could go.
As you can see in the video, Pat Pilford's fantasy scene costume was quite risque... The pillbox hat had a huge flesh colored apendage on top of it with pearls shooting out of the tip! This colorful get up got quite a reaction!
BYE BYE BIRDIE
Josiah Donnel (Conrad Birdie) has very curly hair. To get his hair more period and in character I had to blow out his hair using a lot of mouse, hairspray and grease! By the last week of the run his pompadour almost touched the ceiling of the McAfee kitchen set. He couldn't wait til the last show so that he could fibally get a haircut!
I was able to find a hair piece that matched the color of Andrea Kalan's hair. Since it was made of human hair, I had to wash and set it regularly then blend it into her hair for every performance.
I attached each and everyone of those sequins by hand... Conrad's army uniform needed to be "blinged out". UGLY BETTY and PROJECT RUNWAY kept me company many a late nights.
JOSEPH and the AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT
This is one of the most colorful and modern shows I've ever had the pleasure of being in.
I cut and styled each of the brothers' wig to match their character, personality and color scheme of their costume.
This was originally one of those Halloween Pirate wigs in black. After adding lighter strands, braids and curling it with a half inch iron, it became the perfect wig for Tom Kammerdiener, who played Zebulon.
After a few disastrous attemps, we all decided that the darker wig was perfect for Joseph, played by Joel Kutner.
Ashley Harris (Mrs. Potiphar) needed a headdress with extra sparkle!
My wig, of course, had to look a little bit different from the other brothers. I added auburn highlights to the rastafarian wig... It gave it a more calypso flavor... Don't you think?
This is the jacket I designed for the "GO GO JOSEPH" number.
THE PRODUCERS
The gown on the left was designed by William Ivey Long and was used in the Broadway production. Gary Beach (left) played Roger Debris. The gown on the right is the one I made for The Players Club of Swarthmore production. Sean Murray was our Roger Debris.
It took several weeks to complete since I was also in the show as Carmen Ghia. Over ten thousand hand-sewn bugle beads later, I got it finished in time for the final dress rehearsal. I made the tiara, the gown, shoes and bought jewelry... all for under $300.00. The gown in Broadway version alone costs over $18,000.00
I also styled the wigs for Roger and Ulla.
Other costumes I've designed:
While my friend Becky made all of the showgirl mini pink pouf dresses, I had a lot of fun making the headpieces that completed the Zangler Follies Girls ensemble. By the time we got done, it looked like a blinged out sea of Pepto Bismol!
GREY GARDENS
