broadway
Asaka from Once On This Island
Asaka is one of the four gods in Once On This Island. The people on the island worship her as Mother of Earth, praying for her to “grow me a garden.” Asaka helps Ti Moune navigate the wild in her song “Mama Will Provide.” Glee star Alex Newell played this role in the 2018 Broadway revival. Clint Ramos designed this uniquely original costume; his concepts were inspired by the aftermath of natural disasters in the Caribbean. To make the skirt like the design, wrap the tablecloth around your waist. Use the fake leaves and flowers to embellish the headdress.
Evan Hansen from Dear Evan Hansen
Evan Hansen is the lead character in the musical Dear Evan Hansen. He’s a high school student with social anxiety, so his therapist suggests writing positive letters to himself. One letter gets mistaken for a suicide note from his acquaintance, Connor Murphy. To comfort the Murphy family, Evan forges e-mails between them. It’s revealed his broken arm was from falling out of a tree, possibly his own suicide attempt. Ben Platt originated the role, winning him the 2017 Tony for Best Actor in a Musical. The show is currently running on Broadway at the Music Box Theater, where Jordan Fisher plays Evan Hansen. Wrap the gauze around your arm, and if you’d like, write Conor’s signature in Sharpie.
Katherine Plumber from Newsies
Katherine Plumber is a character in Disney’s Broadway musical, Newsies. She is a young journalist who writes the article that gets the Newsies in the paper. She becomes close with Jack Kelly, the leader of the July Newsboys strike, and they develop a romance. Her outfit retains the style of the early 1900s, which is when the actual strike took place. Notable actresses who portrayed Katherine include Stephanie Styles and Kara Lindsay.
Anya from Anastasia (Musical)
Anya is the protagonist of the Broadway musical Anastasia. As in the movie of the same name, Anya remembers nothing about her past. She meets Dmitry and Vlad while trying to get tickets for Paris. Plotting to steal money from the Dowager Empress, who is looking for her granddaughter, the two men take her in, and select her as their Anastasia impostor. While teaching Anya how to pretend, she discovers who she really is, and also falls for Dmitry. With the music box, Anya remembers her family lullaby, “Once Upon a December,” and realizes that she’s actually Anastasia. At the end of the musical, she reunites with the Empress and donates the reward money to charity. She also gets with Dmitry and they leave Paris together. Christy Altomare originated the role of Anastasia on Broadway at the Broadhurst Theater.
Catherine of Aragon from SIX! the Musical
“There’s n-n-n-n-no way!” Catherine of Aragon is a historical figure and character in SIX the Musical. She is the first wife who got divorced from Henry VIII. She had five miscarriages with only a surviving daughter, who would become Queen Mary. When Henry VIII became enamored with Anne Boleyn, he sought to marry her instead, thus needing to separate from Catherine. Her song “No Way” references her spirited refusal to grant him a divorce, defending herself as his true wife and rightful Queen of England. Renee Lamb starred in the original UK tour and Adrianna Hicks originated the role on Broadway. This is admittedly the most difficult SIX outfit to recreate, but we suggest some items that play off the design of the costume. Use the studded trim on the corset top and skirt. Want more queendom? Check out our other tutorials for the SIX queens!
Newsies
A newsie is a nickname for a newsboy. Newsies, the Disney movie turned hit musical, is based on the New York newsboy strike of the early 1900s. While there are main characters, such as Jack Kelly and Crutchie, this costume guide is for a generic newsie. It’s easy to make for any musical theater fan. Mix and match the elements in this guide to fit your own customized newsie. Then grab your newspaper and leap across the stage!
Jane Seymour from Six! The Musical
Jane Seymour is a historical figure and character in SIX the Musical. She is the third wife of Henry VIII who died giving birth to their son. Her song, “Heart of Stone” is a pop ballad about her steadfast love for her husband. This is the most positive reflection of Henry VIII in the show, for Jane claims he’s the only one he truly loved. Natalie Paris starred in the original UK tour and Abby Mueller originated the role on Broadway. Cut the neckline of the dress to match the picture, with a stripe of fabric along your collarbone. Use the white ribbon on the bust of the dress and glue studded trim, as well as along the corset and skirt. Glue the chain necklace on either side so it goes across. Want more queendom? Check out our Catherine Parr, Anne Boleyn, Anne of Cleves, and Katherine Howard tutorials!
Lola from Kinky Boots
Lola is the lead character of the musical Kinky Boots. She’s a witty, headstrong drag queen who loves expressing herself. She headlines her own show, singing “Land of Lola” with her backup dancers called the “angels.” She teams up with shoemaker Charlie Price to make shoes for drag queens, aka “kinky boots.” She teaches the factory workers to tolerate others, even if they’re different, and embrace their best selves. Billy Porter played Lola first on Broadway. Celebrities such as comedian Wayne Brady and choreographer Todrick Hall have also stepped into the role — or should we say, stepped into the kinky boots!
Anne of Cleves from SIX! the Musical
“Cause I’m the queen of the castle, get down you dirty rascals!” Anne of Cleves is a historical figure and character in SIX the Musical. She is the fourth wife who got divorced from Henry VIII. The song “Haus of Holbien” satirizes her infamous portrait, which had been so flattering that Henry was furious and disappointed when he saw Anne in real life. Her song, “Get Down,” is a power anthem about not caring what anyone thinks, because she’s got the castle all to herself. Genesis Lynea starred in the original UK tour and Brittany Mack originated the role on Broadway. Use the red holo vinyl and studded trim on the vest, shorts, and top. Then use the chains on the shorts. Want more queendom? Check out our Catherine Parr, Anne Boleyn, and Katherine Howard tutorials!
Natasha Rostova from Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812
Natasha Rostova is one of the protagonists in the electropop opera Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812. Based on a part of Leo Tolstoy’s War & Peace, the musical revolves around the affair between Natasha Rostova and Anatole Kuragin. Described as “young” in the “Prologue,” Natasha starts as a naive and optimistic girl. Her fiancee, Andrei, is away fighting in the war, and Natasha misses him dearly. Upon attending the opera, she becomes charmed by the dashing Anatole. The two begin an affair and plan to elope, leading to her fall from grace. Natasha becomes an outcast, like Pierre Bezukhov, who she then turns to for comfort. While not in the musical, the novel ends with their marriage. Denee Benton played this role on Broadway. Her understudy, Shoba Narayan, made history as the first South Asian woman in a leading role on Broadway. Phillipa Soo, who went on to play Eliza Schuyler in Hamilton, originated the role off-Broadway.