Broadway is known for its song and dance numbers. But, one thing most people don’t think about when they think of the big stage is the hand-made wigs that help bring the characters to life. To find out more about the work that goes into the wig and costume design of these shows, we decided to research our four favorite wigs from Broadway, and get a little history of each one.
1. Jasmine from Aladdin
The wig worn by the actress who plays Jasmine in the Broadway rendition of Aladdin is nearly three feet long and features small bunches of hair held in place with a series of hair bands. It reportedly was inspired by a look that Kim Kardashian donned on the red carpet.
2. Helen McCormick from The Cripple of Inishmaan
Daniel Radcliffe is currently starring in the The Cripple of Inishmaan, playing opposite Sarah Greene, who gets to wear this impressive wig. Designed to be messy and wiry, this bright red wig is a showstopper.
3. Hedwig from Hedwig and the Angry Inch
This bright multi-colored wig is worn by Neil Patrick Harris who plays Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch. The wig’s designer was partially inspired by the hairstyles worn by Tina Turner in the 80s. One interesting tidbit about this wig is that instead of using bobby pins to secure it, it’s secured by magnets.
4. Witch from Macbeth
One of Shakespeare’s most popular works, Macbeth features a variety of impressive wigs in their production, but none more so than Hecate the Witch. This ash blonde wig features a crown of thorns that create a halo around the head and pieces of hair that snake in and out of the branches.
