Carbon Costume

Emcee is a character from the 1972 musical film Cabaret, and is played by Joel Grey. Emcee is the sort of narrator in the story, and is the Master of Ceremonies at the Kit Kat Club, set in 1930s Berlin.

To dress like Emcee, wear a white dress shirt, black vest, black striped trousers, a black tailcoat, and a black bow tie. Pair this with a black top hat, monocle, and wooden cane. For makeup, use a maroon liquid lipstick and apply pink blush heavily on the cheeks.

Orpheus (originated on Broadway by Reeve Carney) is one half of the tragic love story at the heart of the musical Hadestown.  The son of a muse, Orpheus is cared for by Hermes while he tries to finish a song to bring back spring.  He falls in love with Eurydice before she is tempted into the underworld by Hades, and he travels to hell to save her.  Orpheus is sensitive and sometimes a little oblivous.  He wears an off white shirt, grey pants, and brown leather suspenders, with black boots and a rust-red handkerchief.  Early in the musical, he also wears an apron.

Persephone (originated on Broadway by Amber Grey) is the wife of Hades in the musical Hadestown.  Persephone is meant to spend half the year in the human realm, and half in the underworld with her husband.  During the musical, this balance is thrown off and Persephone spends less and less time above ground with Hermes, Orpheus, and Eurydice, which results in harsher and harsher weather.  Persephone’s costume is meant to evoke the hopeful green of springtime.  It’s difficult to find an exact replica of her bright green dress, so don’t be afraid to play with layers and textures to build your silhouette.  Try layering a lace long top beneath a buff sleeve blouse and then pairing them with a green asymmetrical skirt.  You’ll need a flower crown for your hair, black tights and booties, and a floral detailed tote bag.  Finish the look with a luxuious faux fur coat.

Hades (played Patrick Page in the original Braodway production) is king of the underworld and a character in the musical Hadestown.  Hades is madly in love with his wife Persephone, though a rift forms between them when he bends the rule of their agreement which allowed her to live in the human realm for half the year.  In his anger, Hades tempts Eurydice into the afterlife.  Hades is a powerful and imposing figure.  He wears a three piece pinstriped suit, long leather trench coat and matching gloves, as well as white snakeskin boots and sunglasses.  Choose a tie in shades of white, black, and grey to match your suit.  If you want to recreate the brick pattern Hades wears on his left forearm, use waterproof makeup so it doesn’t rub off on your clothes.

Gabriella is one of the main characters from the early 2000s Disney film High School Musical, and is played by Vanessa Hudgens. She is a new student at East High and is a successful student in her academics. She is also the love interest of Troy.

To dress like Gabriella, wear an orange cardigan with a green satin tank top and blue jeans. Another look is a white dress and white daisy hair clips.

Troy is the main character from the early 2000s Disney film High School Musical, and is played by Zac Efron. He is on the basketball team at his school, The Wildcats and is the love interest of Gabriella.

To dress like Troy, wear his basketball jersey with red basketball shorts or a red flannel, white tee, lightwash blue jeans, and a blue bandana tied on your head.

Sharpay is a character from the early 2000s Disney film High School Musical, and is played by Ashley Tisdale. Sharpay is a fashionable co-president of the drama club at East High, alongside her brother Ryan.

To dress like Sharpay, wear a knit white hat and fur vest or a pink rhinestoned tank top, a silver sequin cardigan, and a pink skirt. Carry a pink microphone to complete the look.

Hermes (originated by André De Shields on Broadway and later played by Stephanie Mills) is the narrator of the musical Hadestown.  Hermes weaves the tragic tale of  Orpheus and Eurydice through song, even knowing how it ends.  Hermes has been played by men and women on stage, making the costume flexible to meet your needs.  Focus on shades of silver and grey, and choose a suit and vest or corset that makes you feel like a god.