Costume Info

Lead Costumer's Note to Parents and Actors of Bye Bye Birdie

Thank you for being such an important part of this great show. It's time to get you actors costumed!

I hope that all of you got a chance to have a good look at the attachment on the Costuming email sent out last week (2/27) which outlined the costuming process. It will help you immensely as you search for period appropriate costumes for your character.

Attached is the costuming guide for the entire show. I was going to do this on an individual basis (which would have been much nicer for my costumers), but considering the fluid nature of theatrical productions, flexibility must be factored in as characters are either removed, inserted or changed in scenes. I think it is best when each actor is aware of the costuming needs of all of the roles because she/he may become one of those “other roles”. So you get the whole show!

This attachment outlines which costumes are needed for each characters (or character groups) in each scene. Your costume moms have copies of this too, but please don't lose yours. You will use this sheet to keep your "costume notes" on. It will help you organize what you have and what you need. The most important thing that I can tell you up front is that WE DO NOT EXPECT YOU TO GO OUT AND BUY ANYTHING NEW!!!!!!!! Please scour your closets and your friends' and families' closets for girl's full skirts that come to mid-calf and for boys baggy pants that can be tapered at the bottom, cardigans and V necked sweaters, colorful capris (or long pants that can be made into capris) and simple blouses with short or 3/4 length sleeves. Polka dots and big flower prints were popular as were plaid and checkered pants. "Dungarees" were high waisted jeans that were rolled up at the bottom to about a 2" cuff......hard to believe, but yes, they were popular too! The key for girls is color (any color except RED - that one is for Rosie, so please avoid a great deal of it on one outfit) and for boys it is "preppy".

For the adult cast, women wore conservative either full or pencil skirted short sleeved dresses and plain pumps with small hats (if outdoors). For adult men, single breasted suit jackets with thin lapels, skinny ties and plain cardigans in subtle colors were the style and men always wore hats outside (fedoras like Frank Sinatra used to wear) . Men would wear Mardras type shirts for informal occasions. Checked or Plaid pants were also in fashion.

Conrad will have a style all his own (insert scream here) - hold yourselves back girls ‘cause you’ll have to wait……. and..........suffer!

Even if you don't think that some of the costume pieces you find will help you, if they are free, please bring them to your costume mom and she may be able to help someone else out!

Your Costume Moms

Your costume mom and “altering” (read “sewing”) mom’s names and numbers are on the top of your costuming sheet. Please contact your costuming mom before Wednesday March 9th (that means tonight or tomorrow) just to touch base and make sure that she has your number and knows the best way to get hold of you and so that you know the best way to get hold of her too. This is VERY IMPORTANT as these moms will help you. They will be in charge of making sure that you find all of your costume pieces. They will not be finding them all for you, but if you need help or are having a hard time finding a particular item, they will step in and help. They will advise, search and help improvise. They are creative, frugal and imaginative. Should you need help with alterations (that means something that we cannot realistically expect you to do, like take in a pair of pants), these wonderful women will help you out. Remember that each altering mom has 12-18 actors to look after (that’s 36-50 costumes) so please be considerate of her time and make your best effort to make it easy on her – just like I know you will do with your costume moms! Please remember that these moms are volunteers and many do not sew. If your own real mom (or dad) can sew and help you, by all means, include her in your costuming plans because not only is she close, but she loves you too!

Your costume moms will try their best to help you stay organized and on top of your costuming needs. Keep your costume list up to date and contact your costume mom at least once a week to let her know what new pieces you have found. She needs to know this so that she can use her resources to help find you stuff which may be more difficult to locate. Remember, that these moms are trying to make you look good!

Costume Parade

Costume parade will be on March 30^th – about three weeks from today. This does not mean that you must have all your costumes ready to wear by then (especially if you are a lead with many costumes), but you should be finished “finding” your costume “pieces”.

At Costume Parade, you go up on stage in your different costumes for the directors to see in each scene and under the stage lights. It is a very cool time because you really start to see the play (and your character) come together. The director will definitely have a few minor changes and this is where we will have to be flexible. I wish I could tell you exactly and precisely what costumes will be perfect for each scene, but no one will know this until we see them all together. Costuming is a fluid process. This means that things can change as the directors ”fine tune” their vision of each scene. Usually this is not earth shaking!

If you are having trouble finding stuff, please do not wait until Costume Parade to let your costume mom know. Remember, all costume pieces should be available by Costume Parade for the directors to see. Adjustments and alterations can be made after this date. If communication with your costume mom is difficult, please let me know. My number is (810) 229-9972.

Garment Bags

Please get your garment bags together now and keep your stuff (and this list) in it. Label your bag clearly with your name. This will help you a great deal and will make your costume keeping a snap.

Final Note

Remember that if you need 4 costumes, this does not mean that your need 4 entirely different outfits; you can mix and match pants and tops, skirts and blouses and cardigans and shirts. You will find many treasures at Salvation Army. I will have a costume assist day on March 19^th at my house (1062 Long Leaf Court, Brighton) from 10 am to 6 pm . This means that I will have a bunch of bits and pieces of costumes that may help you make your outfit. I will have some “poodle” type skirts, a few shirts and pants and some dresses. I will also have some “guy” stuff. I have women’s hats and a few coats for Penn Station women. Stop by and check our stuff out, you never know what you might find! Feel free to bring stuff to share too….your castoff may be someone else’s treasure! We especially need trench coats, men’s hats and crinolines.

If you are in doubt if a costume piece will work, bring it to rehearsal and ask Mrs Holowicki. She is the final say for costuming and you have daily contact with her, so it just makes sense to do this. Your costume moms will thank you.

Parents, thank you for your help here because none of this happens without you too. Thank you as well for the privilege of allowing the costuming team to work with your children/young adults. They are a talented and energetic group of my favorite kind of people – Theatre kids!

Sarah Thomas

Lead Costumer

ACT ONE

Day One

ACT 1 SCENE 1 LOCATION: Almaelou Office New York

Albert: Brown Jacket (thin, high lapels, single breasted done up all buttons) with long sleeved white shirt and skinny tie. Dark brown pants and dress shoes.

Rosie: Checkered suit and red hat (designers are making) and low black pumps (no one wore high heels then)

ACT 1 SCENE 2 LOCATION: Sweet Apple, Ohio (Telephone Hour)

Kim: Satin top and skirt (designers are making) and character shoes.

Helen, Nancy, Alice, Margie, Penelope, Susie, Debra Sue and Charity (no Ursula): Satin Tops and Capris (designers are making) and Keds with short white socks (2-3’ turned down and visible – Bobby Socks)).

Hugo: “Preppy” look – Collared shirt with V necked sweater or cardigan (maybe with a letter on it). Baggy high waisted dress pants (not jeans) nice shoes.

Harvey: “Nerd” clothes. Checkered pants (see your costume mom) wear these really high on the waist with collared shirt and V neck or cardigan and bow tie (same bow tie through whole show – see your c/mom) and dress shoes and white socks (all boys wore white socks).

Freddy and Karl: T-shirts that match two of the colors in the telephone hour girls’ outfits (your costume mom has swatches) and jeans (preferably as high waisted as possible) with 2” cuffs on the bottom (you can add “fake” cuffs to regular jeans) and Keds with white socks.

Teen Chorus A Girls: Short sleeved (or ¾ sleeved) white blouses with bright or patterned pastel colored capris (below knee). Hair scarves to match the satin dresses of Kim’s friends (designers will provide) and Keds.

Teen Chorus A Boys: Plain white (thick type) t-shirt (we don’t want to be able to see through it under the lights) and jeans like Freddie and Karl and Keds.

ACT 1 SCENE 3(a) LOCATION: Kim’s Bedroom (and Ursula’s Bedroom?)

Ursula: Satin Top and Capris (designers are making) and Keds

Kim: Changes from Satin top and skirt and character shoes (from Scene 2) into Pink oversize sweater (long enough to cover her while she is changing) denim capris (with cuffs below the knee) fuzzy slippers and a baseball cap (ensure cap is “period appropriate”).

Mr. MacAffee: Dress pants, shirt with cardigan, skinny tie (undone slightly because he is relaxing after work) and slippers.

Mrs. MacAffee: House dress, apron and pumps

ACT 1 SCENE 3 (b) LOCATION: Diner in Sweet Apple

Ursula, Helen, Nancy, Alice, Margie, Penelope, Susie and Debra Sue (no Kim or Charity): Same costumes (Satin tops and capris) as Scene 2 (or 3(a) for Ursula).

Day Two

ACT 1 SCENE 4 LOCATION: “Penn” Train Station New York (overcast Spring day) (Put on A Happy Face)

Albert: Tan trench coat over Navy Blue suit (with high thin lapels), white shirt, skinny tie, hat (fedora type) and dress shoes

Rosie: Red coat over Pencil style dress (maybe navy with wide red belt – designers will design and make – Mrs. Thomas has a red coat that might work) black pumps and hat

Mrs. Peterson: Large fur coat, fur hat (see Mrs Thomas) over day dress (won’t be able to really see dress under coat) and orthotic type shoes (Mr Thomas will make one “squeak”), heavy beige (support type) hose and oversized purse (same purse through whole show?)

Sad Girls: Polka dot sleeveless Navy dresses with white sashes (designers have made) and character shoes.

Teen Chorus B Girls and select Adult Chorus : “New York Smart”- coats, short jackets or nice cardigans over neat shirts and pencil skirts (below the knee with a slit in the back to ensure you can dance in these) and character shoes.

Teen Chorus B Boys: Trench coats (any color, belted or tied) with hats. Light colored shirts, dress pants and dress shoes.

Conrad: Black Suit Jacket (shorter, tailored type) with skinny lapels (sort of Elvis style), white shirt with skinny tie (not done up and tie slightly askew), tight black pants (can be back denim type?) and black boot style shoes.

Conrad’s Guitar Men: Black leather jackets, tight jeans (cuffed?) and white t-shirts with black boot type shoes.

Policeman: New York’s “finest”. Maybe tall black boots (“pretend” boots can be created with “leg covers”). Billie stick for sure ( maybe work on how to flip this ? – these police were famous for this! See Mrs Thomas for possible lead on a costume) wide leather belt.

Reporters: Stylish New York Men - Dark suits, with neat white shirts, skinny ties and fedoras with “press” passes stuck in them. Dress shoes.

Any other Adults: see Teen Chorus B (above).

ACT 1 SCENE 5 LOCATION: Sweet Apple Train Station (One Boy)

Kim, Ursula, Debra Sue, Alice (and two others? – see Mrs. H.): Satin tops and matching satin skirts (designers have made) (Kim’s skirt may have to be different because she already wore her satin skirt in Day One) and character shoes.

Albert: Navy Suit (high lapels) from Scene 4 (minus the trench coat).

Rosie: Dress that was under red coat in Scene 4

Hugo: Preppy and neat (as always!) with different cardigan (with a letter on it if possible) or v necked sweater than yesterday and a skinny tie. May have same pants or different ones and nice shoes.

Reporters: White shirts with rolled up sleeves. Baggy pants (not quite as “neat” as their New York counterparts), no jackets and hats.

Fred: Casual smart teen, like Hugo and teen chorus. White long sleeved shirt under cardigan with tie.

Mrs. Merkle: Stylish ‘50’s matronly dress (maybe with little jacket) and low pumps.

Phyllis and Lee: Adult stylish. Phyllis in dress and low pumps, Lee in dress pants jacket (if possible with high thin lapels, white shirt and skinny tie.

Teen Chorus A Girls: Colorful, dressy dresses (think “Sunday best”) with full (crinolines underneath) or pencil type skirts (with slits in back for dancing). Light or white Shirts with “Peter Pan” type collars showing from underneath colorful cardigans. Bobby socks and Keds or Character shoes (see Mrs H) Letters on cardigans or even skirts were very popular (so give your character a pretend name and go for it!).

Teen Chorus A Boys: The Preppy Hugo look. Cardigans or dark, suit type jackets (thin high lapels and done up all buttons) over white long sleeved shirts (which can have rolled up sleeves if you are being super casual) and always a skinny tie (even under a V neck). Baggy high waisted pants and dress shoes with white socks. Boys wore “Letter sweaters” too so choose a name for your character if you like and add it on!

Grade School Kids: Young girls wore lots of jumpers with white blouses underneath. Most jumpers had no sleeves and were high waisted. Little girls skirts were full (not as full as the teens) no big crinolines. They wore saddle shoes or flats (with Bobby socks) but no Keds.

Grade School Boys: Dress pants worn high on the waist, white short sleeved shirts, no jackets and may wear ties (again, think Church clothes) and dark dress shoes with white socks.

ACT 1 SCENE 6 LOCATION: Sweet Apple Courthouse Steps (Honestly Sincere)

ENTIRE CAST - (Those in “double roles” take on their non-character role in this scene)

Rosie, Albert, Kim and friends, Hugo, Mrs. Merkle, Teen Chorus A and Grade School Kids: Same as for Scene 5

Mr. and Mrs MacAffee: Nice clothes – Stylish dress for her and suit with tie for him

Randolph MacAffee: Dress as Grade school boys in Scene 5

Conrad and Guitar men: Same as Penn Station (Scene 4)

Mayor: See Mrs. Thomas for your Mayor’s “formal” costume. Top Hat.

Mayor’s wife Edna: Very Smart stylish dress with matching handbag, hat and white gloves (after all you ARE the Mayors wife….oh yes and you LOVE Conrad!). Low pumps.

Mr Johnson: A Nerdy, older “match” to Harvey. Checkered “loud” pants worn very high on the waist, a V-neck sweater (maybe under a jacket) and a bow tie. Dark shoes with white socks. Thick glasses?

Sad Girls : For this scene you are Sweet Apple Teens and so dress as Teen Chorus.

All teens (Fred, Harvey,Karl etc) and Teen Chorus B: See Teen Chorus A for Scene 5

Adult Chorus: Your Sunday Best! Women wear dressy dresses, maybe a few cardigans. Wide belts, colorful print fabrics with larger style white collars and hats. Low pumps. Men wear suit jackets with thin high lapels, white shirts, skinny ties, hats and dark dress shoes. Pants are baggy and worn high on the waist (think “Father Knows Best”).

Day Three

ACT 1 SCENE 7 LOCATION: Outside the MacAffee House (in the “wee” hours)

Alice, Margie, Debra Sue, Ursula, Helen, Penelope, Nancy and Alice: In your clothes from “yesterday” at the courthouse steps (Satin tops and Satin Skirts) looking disheveled and very tired.

LOCATION: Inside the MacAffee House at Breakfast

Kim: Very Pretty dress with full skirt (designers to make). Low pumps or character shoes.

Mrs. MacAffee: Stylish ‘50’s matronly, but pretty dress (you are dressing up for Conrad). Maybe with an apron that you can take off as soon as Conrad arrives downstairs. Low pumps.

Mr. MacAffee; Cardigan over white shirt with tie and dress pants (maybe with slippers rather than shoes - you ARE in your own house, after all!).

Randolph: Full Footed P. J.s. One or two piece. (maybe rust or darker red color if possible, but if not, any color is ok).

Albert: White shirt (rolled up sleeves) and tie and dress pants. Dress shoes.

Ursula, Alice and Margie: Same disheveled dresses as in the early morning hours (you didn’t go home and change, because you didn’t want to miss seeing Conrad eat breakfast!)

Mayor’s wife Edna and Mrs. Merkle: Nice dresses maybe with hats (definitely Edna wears a hat). Again colorful and low pumps.

Conrad: Black silk Bathrobe and Leopard patterned P.J.s (designers are making)

ACT 1 SCENE 8 LOCATION: Backstage Central Movie Theater

Rosie: Pretty dress (designers will do)

Albert: Same clothes as Scene 7 (rolled sleeves, no jacket)

Mrs. Peterson: Different fur (wrap) (see Mrs. Thomas) and a nice day dress (this one, the audience will see) that is disheveled looking (she just spent three days and nights on a Trailways bus). Oversized handbag., a hat and her orthopedic shoes and thick beige hose.

Gloria: Tight fitting and exotic - “think Carmen Miranda” clothes. Meant to be “over the top’ and to bring all kinds of male attention (designers will make these).

Hugo: More “preppy clothes” (different from day 2)

______________________________________________________________________________________

Day Four

ACT 1 SCENE 9 LOCATION: Backstage Central Movie Theater /Ed Sullivan (One Last Kiss)

ENTIRE CAST

Conrad: Gold Jacket and tight pants to go with it (designers are getting this together) with matching shoes(?) (shirt, shoes and tie ask for the designers input)….This will be faaaaaabulous! (insert more teenage screaming here!)

Albert: Best Black suit - thin, high lapels, single breasted with three buttons all done up. White shirt, tie and dark shoes.

Rosie: See Mrs. H. for her black dress – designers can maybe make a red “bolero” type jacket to go with it

Kim: “One Last Kiss” dress (designers are making)

Mr. MacAffee: Nice suit with high thin Lapels – think “I’m on National TV with ED!”. White shirt and skinny tie. Dark dress shoes.

Mrs. MacAffee and Mrs Merkle: Ditto with a dress

Randolph: White long sleeved shirt (if you have a suit jacket, that might work too, but not necessary), dress pants (any color) and belt, tie (can be a bow tie) and dark shoes.

Mrs Peterson: Fur coat (wrap or big fur) with a dress. Same shoes, hose and purse.

Mayor: Wears his best suit (thin high lapels, buttoned up all the way), white shirt, thin tie and Mayor’s Medal over top of it all. No top hat this time!

Mayor’s wife Edna: Purple or polka dotted stylish dressy dress. Hat and white gloves and pumps.

Mr Johnson: Dressed up like older Harvey

Sad Girls: Navy Polka dot dresses that designers have made with a RED sash and red hair band/bows (check with Mrs. H.)

All of Kim’s friends, Hugo, Named teen boys, Teen Chorus A and B (not in other roles): Good dressy clothes like at the courthouse steps (no jeans). Cardigans are ok for all, jackets and ties for some of the teens are fine. Girls all in skirts of some type ( find a skirt from another day and pair it with a different top). Character shoes or Keds. Again, think colorful and “National Television”!

Adult Chorus: Same costumes as Honestly Sincere (Scene 6), even though it is a different day.

Audio and Camera Men (3 or 4 of you): Black baggy pants, white long sleeved shirts rolled up and maybe ties (check with Mrs. H.). Please ask “props” for headsets and cameras and microphones etc.

Producer: Tailored suit with short jacket and pencil skirt (all business looking) and clip board and headset.

Guitar Men: Same black jackets and tight jeans

Grade school kids: Can wear same clothes as Honestly sincere (Scene 6), but also may put together new ones (this is a different day) which may include part of your outfit from “yesterday”. Still think “dressy”.

END OF ACT ONE

ACT TWO

Still Day Four (late afternoon)

ACT 2 SCENE 1 LOCATION: Kim’s Bedroom (Whatever Did I See in Him)

Rosie: Her “Ed Sullivan Show” dress from Act 1 Scene 9.

Kim: Her “One Last Kiss” dress from Act 1 Scene 9.

ACT 2 SCENE 2 LOCATION: Downstairs MacAffee House

Conrad: Changes from “Ed Sullivan Show/One Last Kiss” clothes into black leather jacket, (shirt type check with Mrs H.) tight jeans and his black boot type shoes - to head out on the town and release some “tension”.

Albert: Same suit as “Ed Sullivan Show” (Act 1 Scene 9) ( may have jacket off, since he is a little distraught)

Rosie: Changes into her “Spanish Rose Out on the Town” Dress (designers are making).

Mrs. Peterson: Same coat and dress from “Ed Sullivan Show” (Act 1 Scene 9)

Mr. and Mrs. MacAffee: Same as Act 1 Scene 9

Randolph: Same as Act 1 Scene 9 but if he had a jacket on, it is now off.

LOCATION: Kim’s Bedroom

Kim: Changes into Lotta Livin’ clothes - capris or Jeans rolled up and cuffed just below knee and a pretty pink patterned shirt (maybe tied at waist). Keds or character shoes – ask Mrs. H.

ACT 2 SCENE 3 LOCATION: Streets of Sweet Apple (Lotta Livin’)

Conrad: Same jeans and leather jacket from Act 2 Scene 2

Kim: Same clothes as Act 2 Scene 2.

All Kim’s friends, Named teen Boys, Sad girls (who are Sweet Apple Teens again) , Teen Chorus A and B: Out on the town causal clothes – capris and jeans, dungarees, cardigans for boys blouses for girls (mix and match from previous costumes!) I don’t think there are ties in this number (check with Mrs. H.) . Also check with Mrs. H. for footwear in this one - Keds with bobby socks vs. character shoes for girls and Keds vs. dress shoes for guys.

Mayor, Mayor’s wife Edna, Mr. Johnson, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. and Merkle : Are still in their “Ed Sullivan” clothes (Act 1 Scene 9). They may end up being in their robes with flashlights at the end of this scene too.

Hugo: Same clothes as Ed Sullivan (Act 1 Scene 9). Starting to look a little disheveled .

Mr. MacAffee, Mrs. MacAffee, Randolph and Mrs Peterson: Same clothes as “Ed Sullivan” (Act 1 Scene 9), but Mr MacAffee will need a big yellow raincoat for this scene too.

ACT 2 SCENE 4 LOCATION: Outside Maudes Roadhouse Retreat (late evening)

Maude (Bartender): Black pants, white shirt (rolled sleeves), black vest, tie and bartender’s apron (towel over shoulder?)

Hugo: Ed Sullivan Show clothes (looking decidedly worse for wear).

Rosie: Her Spanish Rose Dress from Act 2 Scene 2)

Albert: (Back in MacAfees Living room?) Ed Sullivan Show clothes (minus jacket looking worn and tired).

Dishwasher: White t-shirt, dark pants, long dishwasher’s apron.

Customers 1, 2, 3 and 4: wear “relaxed and casual” men’s clothes. They are out at the bar on a Sunday night. They may have ties and dress shirts or be wearing something less formal. You can choose. (Greg you will need to work hard to alter your appearance from the Mayor– maybe a full beard?).

ACT 2 SCENE 5 is cut

ACT 2 SCENE 6 LOCATION: Outside Maudes Bar (Back Door?)

Albert, Mrs. Peterson, Mr. MacAffee, Mrs. MacAffee, Mrs Merkle, Mr. Johnson, Hugo and Randolph: All still in Ed Sullivan Show clothes (Act 1 Scene 9)

Rosie: Still in Spanish Rose dress.

ACT 2 SCENE 7 LOCATION: Ice House (very late evening)

Conrad, Kim, her friends and all teens in this scene: Still in Their Lotta Livin’ Clothes

Albert, Mr. MacAffee, Hugo, Mrs. Peterson and any other adults in this scene: Still in Ed Sullivan Show clothes.

Rose: Spanish Rose dress

Policeman: In tan colored (?)“Sweet Apple Police” Uniform (again, Mrs. Thomas will work with you on this one).

______________________________________________________________________________________

Day Five (Morning)

ACT 2 SCENE 8 LOCATION: Sweet Apple Train Station

Albert: Light tan or beige linen-type suit with a light brown or tan fedora.

Rosie: A very classy and pretty “Wife of an English Teacher” Dress. Very sedate, but sweet and attractive. (designers will make) ….and a hat!

Conrad: Jeans and a white shirt under a large women’s coat (for coat see Mrs Thomas), a large colorful handbag, a hat with a dark veil and black boot type shoes.

Mrs. Peterson: A lovely dress (not overly fussy, but not plain) under a fur wrap (fur from a previous scene), large handbag and orthopedic shoes with dark beige hose. A nice hat would look good. She has come to make peace.

Mr. and Mrs MacAffee: Casual morning clothes. Him - cardigan and tie and shirt with dress pantsand Her - a simple day dress and pumps.

Kim: Simple but pretty dress (designers are making) with character shoes or Keds (ask Mrs H.).

Hugo: Letter sweater, shirt and tie and jeans with cuffs and Keds.

Randolph: Shorts and Knee hi socks(?) Let’s look into this more with Mrs. H.

Teens in this scene (TBD later by directors): Skirts and capris, baggy pants, jeans with cuffs and cardigans or v-neck vests (again, mix and match from previous clothes) Keds and bobby socks.

Adults in this scene (TBD): Something from a previous day that is causal.

THE END (and curtain call!)