Go backstage with the woman in charge of the ’90s hairstyles of the Tony-winning musical.
Charles LaPointe has designed the wigs and hair for 60 Broadway productions since 2003, but it’s his hair and wig supervisors who maintain his work and the look of each production eight shows a week. At Broadway’s The Band’s Visit, that person is Jamie Amadio.
“I'm responsible for maintaining the wig designer’s designs for every single performance,” says Amadio in the video above. “I will go through every night and reset the wigs, and that usually means wetting them down or re-braiding them.”
While Amadio takes care of the wigs post-show, her work begins two-and-a-half hours before the curtain goes up, re-styling the ’90s-era wigs each morning. “The look is kind of subdued, very casual,” she says of LaPointe’s design. Witness Amadio’s daily routine—from styling wigs pre-show to affixing wigs on the actors just before curtain and post-show care—in the video above.
But her favorite part of working on Broadway? The people. “It's the most genuine, kind, loving [company]. Everyone in this building is so incredible and I feel so grateful every day to come here and work with everyone I get to work with.”
The Tony-winning musical continues to play the Ethel Barrymore Theatre.
Take an Exclusive Before and After Look at the Dressing Room of The Band's Visit's Katrina Lenk
Take an Exclusive Before and After Look at the Dressing Room of The Band's Visit's Katrina Lenk
Designer Mike Harrison transforms her dressing room into a Middle Eastern-inspired sanctuary.
14 PHOTOS
Katrina Lenk’s dressing room before.
Katrina Lenk’s dressing room before.
Katrina Lenk’s dressing room before.
Katrina Lenk’s dressing room before.
“I squealed like a school girl when I walked in the room for the first time (who am I kidding, I do it EVERY TIME),” says Lenk. “What a gift to just tell someone what you envision and then BAM have it happen. Mike knew I had hoped the room could be an inviting homage to Middle Eastern design and he NAILED IT. Thank you Mike!!!”
Marc J. Franklin
“Custom-made mug, bearing the mugs of Oum Kalthoum and Omar Sharif (both referenced in The Band’s Visit).“
Marc J. Franklin
“The Queen's Corner. And by Queen, I mean Oum Kalthoum...”
“These vibrant rugs! My character Dina would totally be into these fiery, sensual beauties. I roll around on them daily.”
“Mike found these beautiful Moroccan-style lamps, and here is one disco ball—in honor of the Bet Hatikva roller rink, courtesy of Sir [Tony] Shalhoub.“
Marc J. Franklin
“Portrait of the queen of Arabic music, and subject of one of the songs in our show: Oum Kalthoum.”
Marc J. Franklin
Having worked with David Yazbek on Tootsie and The Band’s Visit, Andrea Grody reveals the unknown impact music directors have on the finished scores of the musicals we love.