Wardrobe Considerations

"To reach the TITANIC wardrobe Larry had to drive a huge fork lift that raised him up some 30 feet into the air to the upper atmosphere of this overwhelming collection." 

Bill Miller recently forwarded me the itinerary and pre-trip information for this upcoming TITANIC 100th Anniversary cruise. It included all the basics about embarkation, schedules, dietary needs, available excursions, etc, as well as the usual breakdown of attire for various nights. Elegant Casual appears to be the standard fare, although we are told there will be two (2) formal nights. What caught my eye was the added notice "During both formal nights you may choose to wear costumes from the era, if you wish."  At first I thought this a bit silly, but then the significance of the voyage inspired me.  Without too huge an investment, I wondered where could I find a period costume from 1912, or even thereabouts? I further hesitated to rent something, thinking of a scene in the Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeve film SOMEWHERE IN TIME when Reeve purchases a period suit to go back in time and meet Seymour, only to discover that his choice was several years out of date!  I would certainly not want to show up for 1912 in a suit that was from the Spring collection of 1910!

Larry Munsey

My dear friend Larry Munsey is a multi talented Director, Actor, Costume Designer extraordinaire.  He has been nominated multiple times by the prestigious Helen Hayes Awards for his remarkable work over the years with Toby's Dinner Theatre in both Columbia and Baltimore Maryland. Larry has access to Toby's huge warehouse packed with thousands of costumes, props & set pieces from endless productions.  One call and Larry said "Let's meet up at the warehouse and I'll find you something from a production of TITANIC we did a few years back."   I told him I'd be thrilled if anything at all was available, if it was from RAGTIME or maybe even HELLO DOLLY... something ...anything early 1900's!

Just walking through the place is amazing with racks hanging from the ceiling, up the walls, in endless aisles.  If you are a bit of a theatre geek, like me, you can start playing a warped version of "Name That Show" by just looking at the costume or set pieces.  The large circular gold coins immediately screamed 42ND STREET.

Ivanna Barrientos (Tracy Turnblad)
and Larry Munsey (Edna Turnblad)

Plastic headpieces that created silver crowns made out of hairdresser combs and curlers shouted "Beauty School Dropout" from GREASE and the unmistakable swirling colored ensemble with feather trim was "Edna Turnblad" from HAIRSPRAY, which Larry is about to reprise once again.

To reach the TITANIC wardrobe Larry had to drive a huge fork lift that raised him up some 30 feet into the air to the upper atmosphere of this overwhelming collection.  Without even having to take measurements Larry pulled out a charcoal grey suit which fit me perfectly.   To add to the overall effect he found a period shirt with rounded collar, black tie, the ultimate black bowler hat with silver grey ribbon, and to top it all off an elegant gentleman's overcoat with fur collar.

The shirt has been reconstructed using velcro for the actors in the actual show to be able to make flash costume changes, however the ensemble comes together beautifully and no one could tell.  So the preparations have begun. I have wardrobe for at least 2 nights... now to start a check list... more to follow....

April 1912