Portfolio ReviewFrom Moulin Rouge! to My Fair Lady, Catherine Zuber Unpacks Her Favorite Broadway Costume DesignsThe Tony Award–winning costume designer gives Playbill an inside glimpse at her creative process.
By
Marc J. Franklin
February 11, 2021
Jacqueline B. Arnold, Robyn Hurder, Holly James, and Jeigh Madjus
Matthew Murphy
At the beginning of every Broadway creative process, all that exists is an empty stage. Using craft, imagination, and theatre magic, theatre designers bring a production to life, transporting an audience to worlds near and far.
It’s a challenging feat for any one production, but for many Broadway designers, a life in the theatre involves re-inventing the wheel again and again, remaining inspired through a vast career. Playbill caught up with Tony Award-winning costume designer Catherine Zuber, currently Tony nominated for her work on Moulin Rouge!, to unpack her approach to design, her creative process, and to explore her favorite theatrical creations.
“The most important element of creating theatre, for me, is the audience. In witnessing the varied emotions a theatrical experience can inspire, the responsibility is daunting. Theatre is a collaboration between directors, fellow designers, associates, assistants, actors, writers, musicians, back-stage crew, costume workshops, and ateliers. Creating the right costume for each of the characters enhances the storytelling. Even before an actor says a word of dialogue or sings a note, their costume gives us visual information. It starts with reading the script and many meetings with the director and set and lighting designers. The process is enjoyable, challenging, and totally rewarding. I am acutely aware of how fortunate I am to work as a costume designer and value each and every project.”
From Moulin Rouge! to My Fair Lady, take an in-depth look at five productions from Zuber’s Broadway career.
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From Moulin Rouge! to My Fair Lady, Catherine Zuber Unpacks Her Favorite Broadway Costume Designs
From Moulin Rouge! to My Fair Lady, Catherine Zuber Unpacks Her Favorite Broadway Costume Designs
53 PHOTOS
The Lady Ms' Costume design sketch for Moulin Rouge!
Catherine Zuber
Satine costume design sketch for Moulin Rouge!
Catherine Zuber
Ensemble costume design sketch for Moulin Rouge!
Ensemble costume design sketch for Moulin Rouge!
Ensemble costume design sketch for Moulin Rouge!
Bohemian costume design sketch for Moulin Rouge!
Ensemble costume design sketch for Moulin Rouge!
Costume for Santiago in Moulin Rouge!
Costume for the Duke of Monroth in Moulin Rouge!
Jacqueline B. Arnold, Robyn Hurder, Holly James, and Jeigh Madjus
Matthew Murphy
Cast of Moulin Rouge!
Matthew Murphy
Cast of Moulin Rouge!
Matthew Murphy
Eliza Doolittle costume design sketch for My Fair Lady
Henry Higgins costume design sketch for My Fair Lady
Mrs. Higgins costume design sketch for My Fair Lady
Cockney ensemble member costume design sketch for My Fair Lady
Costume design sketches for women at the ball in My Fair Lady
Ascot ladies costume design sketch for My Fair Lady
Costumes for My Fair Lady
Lauren Ambrose
Joan Marcus
Harry Hadden-Paton
Joan Marcus
Harry Hadden-Paton, Lauren Ambrose, and Allan Corduner
Joan Marcus
Wives costume design sketch for The King and I
Wives costume design sketches for The King and I
Villager costume design sketches for The King and I
Singer costume design sketch for The King and I
Angel costume design sketch for The King and I
Simon of Legree costume design sketch for The King and I
The King and I
Wives costumes for The King and I
Kelli O'Hara and Ken Watanabe in The King and I
Cast of The King and I
Cast of The King and I
Cast of The King and I
Helena Rubinstein costume design sketch for War Paint
Helena Rubinstein costume design sketch for War Paint
Elizabeth Arden costume design sketch for War Paint
Elizabeth Arden costume design sketch for War Paint
Elizabeth Arden costume design sketch for War Paint
Elizabeth Arden costume design sketch for War Paint
Patti LuPone, Christine Ebersole, and company
Joan Marcus
Steffanie Leigh, Erik Liberman, and company
Jennifer Rias, Steffanie Leigh, Christine Ebersole, Mary Claire King, and Stephanie Jae Park
Joan Marcus
J.B. Biggley costume design sketch for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Secretary costume design sketch for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Paris costume design sketch for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Football costume design sketch for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
White jacket dinner costume design sketch for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Ensemble costume design sketch for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Rose Hemingway, Mary Faber, and Daniel Radcliffe in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Rose Hemingway and Daniel Radcliffe in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
John Larroquette and Tammy Blanchard in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Broadway stars Frankie Grande, J. Harrison Ghee, Antwayn Hopper, and more marched with Playbill, Jeep, and the Times Square Alliance at the 2022 NYC Pride March.