Has anybody ever seen the size/ amenities in the dressing rooms of the Broadway stars? tt definitely has to depend on the theatre. But, how does Elphabas compare to Evas?If anybody has any inside info, I'm sort of fascinated.
I remember when 42nd Street (the original) was playing at the Majestic, the chorus girls dressing room overlooked 44th Street and the windows did not have shades. NYPD cops on horseback would be across the street watching the chorus girls change costumes (lots of bare breasts to see). I have a feeling the chorus girls knew the cops were watching because some of the girls were a little too close to the windows while changing.
most dressing rooms in the theatres are pretty basic, and rather dull and unadorned. Dressing tables, mirrors, lights, bathroom, air conditioning, the Equity cot perhaps.
Star dressing rooms are not much better. But depending on the star and the things negotiated into the contract well...... Usually the room can be repainted in a chosen color,new carpet installed. Usually a couch and perhaps some chairs are brought in-sometimes of the actors choice. Cable television installed, wi-fi, and a telephone line. Fridge, microwave. It all depends what the actor wants, how impt they are,and if it can be put into the contract. At the Shubert during GYPSY Bernadette had a trunk of her own in the dressing room.It can basically be turned into a small studio apt, albiet with few or no windows.
The Vivian Beaumont (Lincoln Center) has two "star" dressing rooms. They are the ones closest to the stage. Each has a dressing table, sofa, toilet, sink and shower. Then there are couple of "doubles" - the same, but with two dressing tables, then a couple of "quads", then "sixes".
Older theatres have much of their dressing room space in the basement, or up two or three flights of stairs.
I don't know if it's still there but it was as recently as TITANIC: The Star dressing room at the LUNT had a bathtub completely enclosed in mirrors installed for La Liz during PRIVATE LIVES.
There are tons of Broadway.com videos where stars take you into their dressing rooms (or someone else takes the camera into a star's dressing room.) Here's two recent ones from Evita and Wicked...
Having been in Bernadette's dressing room in both the Marquise and Shubert there is very little difference in size or level of comfort. Stars certainly don't get huge suites to enjoy. The personal items which adorn the space are what make the "star" rooms unique!!
"Your eyes..... they shine like the pants on my blue serge suit"
^That still depends on the theatre. I would describe Nathan and Bebe's dressing rooms at the Lunt-Fontanne as suits compared to the dressing rooms of their co-stars.
The dressing rooms at the Vivian Beaumont Theater have bidets, too!
The "star" dressing room at the St. James Theater is right next to Angus McIndoo's and as a result, it always smells of beef. (It also has a secret exit through the restaurant, which is how Nathan Lane avoided the stage door mania during THE PRODUCERS)
Dollypop, what was Hunter Parish's dressing room like?
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
I saw a picture once of Angela Lansbury lounging on a sofa in her dressing room at the Uris (between matinee and evening performance) during the run of Sweeney Todd. The fabric on the sofa was bland and the walls were gray cinder block. Not exactly glamorous.
From the looks of it I would guess that Carrie Fisher chose one of the rooms that would have been typically packed with multiple ensemble people for her run at Studio 54 as she obviously would have had her pick of any of the dressing rooms since there were no other actors to accommodate during Wishful Drinking.
I got to see Sarah Jessica Parker's dressing room when she was in Annie and I remember it being quite small. The walls were covered with black and white Annie comic strip fabric.
I also saw Faith Prince's dressing room when she was in the King and I, and it was directly off the wings (stage right).
Hey Dottie!
Did your colleagues enjoy the cake even though your cat decided to sit on it? ~GuyfromGermany
I imagine it was the same after John Stamos no longer used his. Wasn't there a picture going around at one time of Patti's "Gypsy" dressing room and it was over the top, all white? Or was that someone else?