I Survived!

Yesterday, the cast of "Anything Goes" picked up their costumes from A Cut Above.

It's a fairly large-cast show, made more so by the fact that several of the major roles are double-cast. The show goes up with actors alternating in the lead roles. That is sometimes done because a given actor has a conflict on a performance night, like being the best man at his brother's wedding, or something. More frequently, it is done so that the director doesn't have to choose between two similarly talented actors and possibly offend the one not chosen. On the nights when the alternate actor is playing the major role, the first one plays a different part.

What this means, from a costumer's standpoint, is that Lord Evelyn, for instance, is being played by two actors of disparate sizes. Two complete sets of costumes are required for that character. As each Lord Evelyn has nine costumes, this starts to add up. Plus, each actor playing Lord Evelyn needs costumes for his other role. Plus, at least four major characters are double-cast in this way, and a lot of actors are playing more than one minor role.

It makes for a lot of costumes, each of which has to be explained to the actor who wears it. Which accessories go with what; in which scene each costume is to be worn, etc.

Then, we have to deal with the gaggles of girls who show up with their friends because they just have to see their costumes before they hit the stage (and haven't seen each other since...I don't know...Thursday?), and have to giggle and natter at top volume while Ramona is trying to explain a dozen different costumes to one of the leads.

All in all, it was a tiring day. A full eight hours of schlepping, stitching, smoothing and steaming.

Not to mention the guy who says, looking at his pants that say "38" inside the waistband, "Don't you have this in a 36?" I told him that the size was taken from his measurement chart, submitted by the director, and then informed all assembled that his waist measurement, per the chart, was 37 3/4". O, the vanity of man! He finally admitted, grudgingly, that they would do.

Don't mess with the costumer!