Special Reports

Steal These Looks: 7 Broadway Costumes to "Borrow" This Halloween

But please don’t actually STEAL THESE COSTUMES this weekend. “Happening upon them” is something else entirely.

Wardrobe managers on Broadway might want to lock up their costumes this weekend. Halloween parties all over the city are offering cash prizes (some of them quite substantial) for the best getup. We've compiled a list of the seven most Halloween-ready costumes on Broadway that are sure to turn heads and lower masks at any masquerade. If you manage to snag one of these professionally designed, lovingly produced Broadway costumes, you'll be a shoo-in for the grand prize.

Now, we're not suggesting you steal these costumes. We're just saying that if you happen upon them this Halloween, as a wise Newsie once told me, seize the day. Happy Halloween!

Alan Cumming in Cabaret, directed by Sam Mendes, at Studio 54.
Alan Cumming in Cabaret, directed by Sam Mendes, at Studio 54.
(© Joan Marcus)

1. The Emcee in Cabaret

This is the ultimate sexy costume. In fact, it serves as the perfect base for any variation on sexy. Add a stethoscope for Sexy Doctor. Chomp down on a pair of fangs for Sexy Vampire. Add a pair of glasses for Sexy Nerd. Or you could just go as Emcee classic and leave the rest of the party gagging on your pasty sultriness. Growl.


Lena Hall and Michael C. Hall in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, directed by Michael Mayer, at the Belasco Theatre.
Lena Hall and Michael C. Hall in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, directed by Michael Mayer, at the Belasco Theatre.
(© Joan Marcus)

2. Hedwig or Yitzhak from Hedwig and the Angry Inch

It looks like someone is already taking our advice. Truly, Michael C. Hall's Hedwig costume is a great way to make an impression, but Yitzhak is actually the more technically impressive of the two. Bonus points if you can execute a costume change over the course of the night. (Ending up in your skivvies doesn't count!)


Felicia Finley, Judy McLane, and Lauren Cohn in Mamma Mia!, directed by Phyllida Lloyd, at the Broadhurst Theatre.
Felicia Finley, Judy McLane, and Lauren Cohn in Mamma Mia!, directed by Phyllida Lloyd, at the Broadhurst Theatre.
(© Joan Marcus)

3. The Ladies of Mamma Mia!

Nothing says "Girls' Night Out" like these authentic Mamma Mia! outfits. Out-glam the competition with vibrant spandex and platform boots. The costume on the far right can be repurposed into a that-dinosaur-from-Jurassic-Park costume; or maybe you could get extra creative and fashion a dancetastic hybrid of the two. ABBA dinosaurs = magical Halloween memories.


Courtney Reed and Adam Jacobs in Disney's Aladdin, directed by Casey Nicholaw, at the New Amsterdam Theatre.
Courtney Reed and Adam Jacobs in Disney's Aladdin, directed by Casey Nicholaw, at the New Amsterdam Theatre.
(© Deen van Meer)

4. Aladdin or Jasmine from Aladdin

Aladdin and Jasmine have been popular mass-produced bag costumes for over two decades. But what if you had the real thing? Gregg Barnes' detailed and painstakingly bedazzled outfits are sure to help you get noticed. Plus, you'll look totally sexy while wearing them.


The cast of On the Town, directed by John Rando, at the Lyric Theatre.
The cast of On the Town, directed by John Rando, at the Lyric Theatre.
(© Joan Marcus)

5. Sailor from On the Town

Look at all those sailor costumes. I can't imagine at least one won't "go missing" this weekend. While simple and austere, the sailor look is a classic, especially when done in tandem with two of your best buddies. As a fringe benefit, the pants are designed to sustain eight weekly performances of heavy ballet, meaning you can boogie down while out on the town without worrying that you're going to tear something.


The cast of Side Show, directed by Bill Condon, at the St. James Theatre.
The cast of Side Show, directed by Bill Condon, at the St. James Theatre.
(© David Gordon)

6. Anything from Side Show

The revival of Henry Krieger and Bill Russell's musical about conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton only just started previews, but the jaw-dropping design of the "freaks" in the chorus has already made a huge splash. Any of these looks would be a surefire winner at a Halloween costume contest.


Elizabeth Ashley in You Can't Take It With You, directed by Scott Ellis, at the Longacre Theatre.
Elizabeth Ashley in You Can't Take It With You, directed by Scott Ellis, at the Longacre Theatre.
(© Joan Marcus)

7. Elizabeth Ashley from You Can't Take It With You

You'll be the belle of the bar as you knock back tequila shots while wearing Elizabeth Ashley's Grand Duchess costume from You Can't Take It With You. You may not win best costume (or hair…or makeup), but you'll definitely have the most fun. In the end, that's the most important thing, right?