Time flies faster than Wicked’s monkeys and so, yes, Halloween is already upon us. With Halloween on a Monday night and parties and masquerades sure to happen in honor of “Halloweekend,” Playbill.com has 13 simple ideas to transform into a Broadway-inspired character using items lying around your house.
Audrey and Seymour, Little Shop of Horrors
Whether you need a great couple costume or an individual ensemble, Audrey and Seymour are easy targets. For Audrey, throw on a revealing dress (preferably in leopard print), slather on the makeup (don’t forget the fake black eye) and grab a potted plant. For Seymour, untuck your button down, throw on a sweater vest and some thick-rimmed glasses and grab your Audrey II.
Roxie Hart, Chicago
Dare to dress Broadway and look sexy at the same time? Chicago is the way to go. Throw on fishnets and character shoes (or black heels) and any combination of black clothing. Carry around a newspaper with the handwritten “Roxie Rocks Chicago” plastered on the front and suddenly you’re a merry murderess.
Tracy Turnblad, Hairspray
Good morning, Baltimore! Button up a white blouse, zip up your skirt, strap on a backpack (with a can of hairspray in the water bottle compartment) and tease up your hair. Tada! Mr. Pinky would be proud.
The Peanuts Gang, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Happiness is having a costume, and the Peanuts crew from You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown can be cast many ways. Go as a group of all six. Go as a couple: Linus and Lucy, Sally and Charlie, Lucy and Schroder, Charlie and Snoopy—the combinations are endless—or, pick your favorite. For the good man himself, black shorts and a yellow T-shirt (with some black duct tape) will do. If you’d rather go as his furry friend, try a white shirt, white pants and red scarf (plus a black nose). For Charlie’s sister Sally, a pink dress, saddles shoes and pig tails will muster that childish feeling. Linus is a simple red shirt, black shorts and, of course, a blue blanket. Lucy wears a blue dress and saddle shoes; for a bit more distinction carry around a football or a red buck labeled “That’ll be five cents please.” If you’d like to be the maestro himself, black shorts and a purple T-shirt with black stripes.
Elphaba, Wicked
The Wicked Witch of the West sounds like heavy lifting in the costume department, but it’s actually fairly simple. If you’re willing to commit to the green makeup, throw on a black dress and that witch’s hat from when you were eight years old, grab a broom and voila!
The Elders, The Book of Mormon
Turn it ON, like a light switch. Dress like one of the Elders from The Book of Mormon. Black slacks, a short-sleeve white button-down, a black skinny tie and a name tag. Does it get any easier than that?
Wednesday Addams
To be pulled in a new direction, choose Wednesday Addams. Black tights, a black dress (don’t forget the white collar), braids and some goth makeup create the character of Morticia and Gomez’s daughter.
Mark, Rent
The filmmaker at the center of Jonathan Larson’s rock musical is a great option for a simple and warm costume. Slip into a two-tone sweater, preferably red and blue, and wrap a striped scarf around your neck. Add a video camera for effect and start dancing the Tango Maureen.
Emcee, Cabaret
On the other hand, if scantily clad is your angle, go as Cabaret’s Emcee. Black pants and white suspenders are all you need (plus a bowtie taped to your abs), but be sure to commit to the spooky makeup—that’s what really sets apart the men from the boys.
Schuyler Sisters, Hamilton
Angelica, Eliza, and Peggy. Any trio out there would be remiss not to capitalize on playing the sisters at the center of the Hamilton phenomenon. This outfit comes down to color palette: Angelica dons peach, Eliza powder blue and Peggy a soft yellow. This can be as elaborate or as straightforward as you wish, but when the three of you roll into the party be sure to WERK!
T-Bird, Grease
One of the oldest tricks in the book: a member of the T-Birds gang from Grease. Slip into some jeans and an old white tee, pop the collar on a black leather jacket and gel your coiffure. Tuck a cigarette (or faux cigarette) behind your ear and comb in your back pocket. It’s systematic, it’s hydromatic, it’s ultramatic.
A newsie, Newsies
Fansies know how turn-key it is to morph into a paper boy a la Newsies. Put on dress slacks and roll up the hem to your calves before tucking them in to any pair of dress socks—better if they’re not matching, you sell newspapers for a living not diamonds. Wear a dress shirt or T-shirt and a vest or suspenders, and, most importantly, find that perfect Newsies cap.
Norma Desmond, Sunset Boulevard
Are you ready for your close-up? The turban is the signature of the faded film star. Make it out of a folded pillowcase, a neck scarf, what-have you. The rest of the ensemble should drip with elegance, gloves and cigarette holder a bonus. Powder on dramatic makeup and it will be as if we’d never said goodbye.
