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Hat worn by Idina Menzel as Elphaba in the original 2003 New York production of Wicked and in the London transfer, 2006
Gordon, Rodney, born 1971 - Enlarge image
Hat worn by Idina Menzel as Elphaba in the original 2003 New York production of Wicked and in the London transfer, 2006
- Object:
Theatre costume
- Place of origin:
New York (made)
- Date:
2003 (made)
- Artist/Maker:
Gordon, Rodney, born 1971 (makers)
Rodney Gordon Inc. (makers) - Materials and Techniques:
Cotton rep and petersham braid
- Credit Line:
Given by Wicked London Productions Ltd.
- Museum number:
S.503-2016
- Gallery location:
Theatre & Performance, Room 105, case 9, shelf 14
This hat was made for the actress Idina Menzel (b.1971) for her role as Elphaba in the original Broadway production of Wicked that opened at New York's Gershwin Theatre, 30th October 2003, and was worn by her in the London transfer that opened at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, 27th September 2006. With music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Winnie Holzman, Wicked is based on Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel Wicked: the Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, an alternative adult perspective on the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, and Frank Baum's original 1900 novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
The designs for Elphaba's costume by the American designer Susan Hilferty (b.1953) were inspired by William Wallace Denslow's illustrations to Frank Baum's 1900 children's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. In his illustrations everyone in Oz is shown wearing pointed hats as their local dress. In the story it is introduced when Galinda is given the hat by her grandmother. Galinda thinks it is ugly and gives it to Elphaba to wear, as a joke. Once Elphaba is mocked for wearing it at a student party and realises she's been tricked, Galinda apologises and they become friends. The curved upswept brim of this hat was specially designed to make Elphaba's face clearly visible.
