77th Annual Tony Awards Predictions, Mason Pilevsky
CATEGORY: COSTUME DESIGN OF A PLAY
Dede Ayite, Appropriate
Appropriate featured a very realistic design that, more than anything, highlighted generational differences to show who had followed in the family footsteps and who had strayed. These costumes were simple and did their job of showing who each character was without pulling focus from their words. This was a show about shattering preconceived notions, and Dede Ayite did a fabulous job of minimizing the assumptions made about a character from their clothing.
Dede Ayite, Jaja’s African Hair Braiding
Each character in Jaja’s African Hair Braiding place was from a different African culture, and Dede Ayite showcased individual differences and pride, as well as the kind of unity that comes from the immigrant experience. Dede Ayite, along with the hair and makeup team, made appropriately bold choices that flirted with individualism and collectivism.
Enver Chakartash, Stereophonic
I lost count of how many unique costumes each character in Stereophonic had, but was in awe of all of them. Simultaneously period and sexy, each character’s ego (or lack thereof) was apparent from their clothing, its ornateness, and the color palettes selected for them. Chakartash did not shy away from putting feminine colors on masculine men, and expertly called gender politics into questions with these bold choices.
Emilio Sosa, Purple Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch
Costumes for Purlie Victorious primarily showcased social class and occupation. Sosa kept it simple and realistic for a show that juxtaposed different types of strength. Costumes went a long way toward showing that the people with material wealth are not always the strongest or the ones wielding the most power.
David Zinn, An Enemy of the People
David Zinn’s costume design for this show, along with Emilio Sosa’s costume design for Purlie Victorious, is one of few pieces this year that really leaned into the period of the story. Zinn’s design was functional and accurate, but more utilitarian than artistic.
WHO I THINK WILL WIN: Enver Chakartash
IF IT WAS UP TO ME: Enver Chakartash
CATEGORY: COSTUME DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
Dede Ayite, Hell’s Kitchen
Dede Ayite plays a huge part in the world building of Hell’s Kitchen. Each ensemble character has the right blend of color and ability to blend into their world. The dancers’ outfits are functional but beautiful, and the leads all have their own personality and vibes that are consistent throughout. There are no throwaway characters or costumes here.
Linda Cho, The Great Gatsby
I got to see this show from up close, and was blown away by the detail and beauty of the intricate beadwork. Linda Cho kept to consistent, cohesive color schemes while also allowing each actor to have their own unique outfit that fit perfectly into the picture. Her reverse gender coloring of Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan interestingly highlighted Buchanan’s strength and Gatsby’s soft, out-of-touch nature.
David Israel Reynoso, Water for Elephants
Reynoso faced an interesting challenge with this show—actors playing characters who were wearing costumes of their own. The ensemble highlighted the working class needs of those who had to do the manual labor as well as the artistic labor—practical, yet individual. Costuming acrobats who were wearing mics must have been a practical challenge. Every look Reynoso created for lead actress Isabelle McCalla was gorgeous.
Tom Scutt, Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club
Cabaret had really wild costumes, and the costumes supported the reimagining of the Emcee in a very real, tangible way. At first, almost everyone’s costumes were absurd and glamorous, but missing pieces. Some actors came on in wig caps. Others did not have fully complete costumes. It was an interesting choice for sure. The ensemble’s costumes got more realistic much faster than the Emcee’s allowing him to stand alone in his absurdity. But by the end, everyone wore the same thing and was indistinguishable, the absurdity gone.
Paul Tazewell, Suffs
Costumes were not the most revolutionary part of Suffs. A lot of the women wore uniforms or very similar dresses so that the leads could stand out visibly, since Shaina Taub’s world encompassed so many featured roles. The unity was beautiful in its way, and kept the aesthetic of the show simple and clean.
WHO I THINK WILL WIN: Linda Cho
IF IT WAS UP TO ME: Linda Cho
About the Author: Mason Pilevsky
Next set of design week predictions drops May 22!
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