Hairspray

Act 1: Tracy Turnblad's Big Dream and the Rise of the Corny Collins Show

Main Characters:

• Tracy Turnblad:

  • Initial Outfit:
    • Tracy’s early costumes reflect her upbeat and quirky personality. She wears a classic 1960s style with bright, bold colors such as pink, turquoise, or yellow. Her signature look includes a colorful skirt (often knee-length), a fitted top, and a wide belt.
    • Accessories: Large, voluminous hair (a nod to the 1960s hairstyle), bold statement earrings, and platform shoes.
  • Later Outfit:
    • As Tracy gains confidence, her costume evolves to reflect her newfound star status. She wears more glamorous versions of her earlier outfits, often with a more fitted dress or full skirt.
    • Accessories: Sparkly jewelry, hair that’s even bigger, and more glamorous shoes.

• Edna Turnblad:

  • Outfit:
    • Edna’s costumes are often humorous and flamboyant, with a feminine touch. She wears modest, flowing dresses in muted colors (such as soft pink, lavender, or powder blue) that contrast with Tracy’s more vibrant looks.
    • Accessories: A large, curly wig (to represent her physical transformation throughout the musical), a thick belt, and dramatic earrings.

• Wilbur Turnblad:

  • Outfit:
    • Wilbur’s costume is simple, working-class attire. He often wears a button-up shirt with suspenders, paired with trousers.
    • Accessories: A bow tie and glasses, which contribute to his goofy, lovable character.

• Amber Von Tussle:

  • Outfit:
    • Amber’s costume is glamorous and designed to reflect her spoiled, entitled character. She wears glamorous dresses with a fifties/sixties cut, often in bright colors or bold patterns like polka dots or checks.
    • Accessories: A tiara, large earrings, and heels to enhance her "beauty queen" persona.

• Velma Von Tussle:

  • Outfit:
    • Velma’s costume is designed to reflect her role as the villain and the pushy producer of the Corny Collins Show. She wears formal business attire, including a tailored jacket, pencil skirt, and high heels.
    • Accessories: Bold jewelry, a serious look, and sometimes a fur stole.

• Link Larkin:

  • Outfit:
    • Link’s costumes are stylish and youthful, reflecting the heartthrob status he achieves on the show. His outfits include slim-fit suits, often in lighter colors like pastel blue or gray, paired with a shirt and skinny tie.
    • Accessories: Sleek hair (styled in the popular “rockabilly” fashion), polished shoes, and a confident attitude.

• Penny Pingleton:

  • Outfit:
    • Penny’s costumes reflect her more shy, reserved character. She wears simple dresses or skirts, often in pastel shades like pink or light blue, with a conservative cut.
    • Accessories: A ribbon in her hair, flat shoes, and a sweet, modest appearance.

Ensemble (The Corny Collins Show Dancers, Townspeople, and Performers):

• Corny Collins Show Dancers:

  • The dancers wear colorful, eye-catching outfits inspired by the 1960s, such as dresses with bold patterns (polka dots, stripes) or skirts and tailored jackets.
  • Accessories: Large beehive hairstyles, bold jewelry, and dance shoes to emphasize their energetic performances.

• Townspeople and Teenagers:

  • Costumes reflect the 1960s youth culture with a retro feel, such as mod dresses, bell-bottoms, and shift dresses for the girls, and plaid shirts, pants, and jackets for the boys.
  • Accessories: Headbands, sneakers, and colorful belts.

Act 2: Tracy’s Triumph and the Revolution

Main Characters (Continued):

• Tracy Turnblad:

  • Costume Change (Finale):
    • In Act 2, Tracy’s costumes evolve into more glamorous outfits, often reflecting her rise to fame and her success. She wears elegant dresses, often in pastel colors, with fuller skirts and more elaborate details.
    • Accessories: Glittering jewelry, a crown or tiara, and her trademark voluminous hair.

• Edna Turnblad:

  • Costume Change (Finale):
    • Edna’s costume in Act 2 is more dramatic and over-the-top, reflecting her acceptance of her true self. She wears a grand, evening gown or dress with a glamorous, feminine cut.
    • Accessories: A more extravagant wig, oversized jewelry, and heels to match her newfound confidence.

• Amber Von Tussle:

  • Costume Change (Finale):
    • Amber’s final costume is often a glamorous dress for the finale of the Corny Collins Show, designed to reflect her attempt to maintain her beauty queen status, but with a more dramatic flair.
    • Accessories: A sash, tiara, and heels that represent her pageant queen persona.

• Velma Von Tussle:

  • Costume Change (Finale):
    • In Act 2, Velma’s costume might become even more opulent, often with a formal or stage-ready look, reflecting her continued control over the show.
    • Accessories: Bold jewelry and high heels that reflect her villainous, controlling persona.

• Link Larkin:

  • Costume Change (Finale):
    • Link’s costume evolves to a more mature, polished look as his relationship with Tracy develops. He wears a tailored suit or tuxedo for the final show.
    • Accessories: A more refined hairstyle, a bow tie, and polished shoes.

• Penny Pingleton:

  • Costume Change (Finale):
    • Penny’s final costume reflects her transformation into a more confident character. She may wear a bold, colorful dress, often in retro styles like A-line skirts or a mod look.
    • Accessories: Hair ribbons, jewelry, and heels that reflect her newfound self-assurance.

Ensemble (The Revolution and Dance Party):

• Revolutionary Dance Party:
  • The ensemble’s costumes in Act 2 become bolder and more rebellious, reflecting the social revolution led by Tracy and her friends.
  • Costumes: Bright, colorful outfits with bold patterns, large hair, and bold accessories to reflect the changing social atmosphere and the battle against racial segregation.
  • Accessories: Bold jewelry, headbands, and shoes that allow the dancers to move freely.

Special Notes:

• Color Palette:

  • Act 1: Bright, bold colors like pink, turquoise, and yellow dominate the costumes, reflecting the high-energy, colorful 1960s atmosphere of the Corny Collins Show.
  • Act 2: The costumes shift to more glamorous, sophisticated looks with a mix of pastel colors, sequins, and elegant designs to reflect Tracy’s success and the celebration of individuality.

• Fabric Choices:

  • Act 1: Simple fabrics like cotton and polyester for the everyday outfits, while the show costumes use sequins and glitter to highlight the flashy entertainment world.
  • Act 2: More luxurious fabrics like satin, velvet, and tulle for the evening gowns and celebratory costumes in the finale.