Something Rotten
Costume Design by Caitlin Quinn
Directed by Scott Ford
Lyric Arts Theatre
Scenic Designer: Peter Lerohl
Lighting Designer: Shannon Elliot
Sound Designer: Paul Estby
Production Details: This was a large musical with 23 cast members who each had a minimum of 4 costume changes. The director chose not to have the costumes historically accurate but rather have a "renaissance festival" feel. The stage space was relatively small for the number of actors the director and choreographer wanted in many of the musical numbers. Because of spacing and movement concerns it was decided early on that no period shaping garments (corsets, petticoats, farthingales, etc) would be used. The main concept for costume, scenic, and lighting design was to keep the world as colorful as possible - like a technicolor version of Renaissance. This production did not have costume shop support - the costumes were built, altered, and sourced by myself and the assistant costume designer.
Costume Details: One of the biggest challenges with this production is the musical number "Omelet" which required dancing egg costumes. I designed the egg costumes to be cracked open onstage and reveal the yoke underneath. Another costume challenge was the requirement for 13 quick change black robes for the puritan characters. Because the director did not want the costumes to be strictly accurate to the Renaissance I pulled from many different periods for inspiration for different character looks. Most notably, I used a 1650s petticoat breeches and doublet for the character Brother Jeremiah's costume in the fantasy song. The extravagant, full silhouette and was a great contrast to his normally austere black puritan robe (the other characters were in modern rainbow tulle skirts for this number). Many historical anachronisms are written into the script with the numerous references to modern musicals.
ANNA PIKIBEN, Assitant Costume Designer
SHANNON ELLIOT, Lighting Designer
PAUL ESTBY, Sound Designer
PETER LEROHL, Scenic Designer
MICHAELA LOCHEN, Props Designer