Though the rest of the world may be excited to don their Baby Shark costumes and dress like ghosts, zombies, and more, Halloween marks the night (well, season, really) for theatre fans to embrace their inner costume designer and create looks inspired by their favorite Broadway characters. At the same time, we know time is tight and not everyone is crafty, so here are 22 easy ideas from some of Broadway’s most popular musicals:
Beetlejuice from Beetlejuice The Musical
What’s scarier than an undead demon?
What you need: It depends on how crafty you want to get, but essentially you want a black-and-white vertical-striped suit. If you can’t find one ready-made, go for some white pants and a white blazer and a black fabric marker (or you can do the reverse with black pants, a black blazer, and white gaffing tape/adhesive felt). Throw on a black-and-white button down in ANY pattern, the zanier and more mismatched the better. Add a tie with some green in it. Spray a dash of green in your hair and, if you want to be official, follow the Beetlejuice make-up plot here!
Hermes from Hadestown
Not everyone can be quite as dapper as Tony winner André de Shields, but with this getup, you can try to reach the messenger god’s heights.
What you need: A slick silver suit. Make sure you add as many embellishments as you can—a tie clip, a pocketwatch, a pocket square. Place a feather on your lapel; Hermes needs to fly. Glue feathers to two thick hair elastics and slip the elastics onto your wrists. The shoes are key here. Throw on a pair of winged kicks and you're on the road to hell. For more official tips, read the inspiration behind the Broadway design here.
Elsa from Disney’s Frozen
Feel your power flurry through the air in this glam gown.
What you need: A floor-length dress in icy blue or silver. You can make a cape from a simple piece of tulle stitched or pinned to the shoulders of your gown. Be sure to invest in that fishtail braid Elsa unleashes when she finally lets it go. To really give off the vibe of the ice queen, use makeup or facepaint to draw snowflakes on your hands—the source of Elsa’s powers. You can always add some personal flare like a snowflake necklace or earrings, or stitchin some tulle snowflakes onto the dress for some extra texture and pop.
Your favorite wizard from Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Nothing says All Hallows’ Eve like a witch or wizard from the magical world of Hogwarts.
What you need: A black cape or cloak—the better for capeography, of course, and a wand. Make your wand by hand or you can purchase an offical one. Don’t forget to deck out your costume with the garb that matches your Hogwarts house. There are house ties, scarves, and knitted hats, as well as patches so you can beam with Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Slytherin, or Ravenclaw pride.
Vivian from Pretty Woman
Costume designer Gregg Barnes adhered to the iconic looks of the original movie, with a slight twist for the new stage musical—which means you’ve got permission to capture Vivian’s essence and make your own adjustments for this Halloween costume.
What you need: Red gown (preferably strapless), white opera gloves, opera glasses, and a whole lot of confidence. To leave the house without that would be a big mistake. Huge.
Aladdin and Jasmine from Disney’s Aladdin
Rock this costume of the Disney duo with your significant other or best friend—or, pick the diamond in the rough or the princess as a solo costume.
What you need for Aladdin: Red vest, white linen pants or white sweatpants, a red fez (or make one out of a clean yogurt container and some red paint)
What you need for Jasmine: Blue sports bra or bathing suit top, blue sweatpants, gold necklace, jeweled headband
Rum Tum Tugger from Cats
He is, indeed, a curious cat and a Rum Tum Tugger costume is a great way to look sexy and stay warm on Halloween. This one really comes down to the makeup. Flip through this tutorial with Broadway’s Tyler Hanes to get the Tugger look just right.
What you need: Black boots, black leggings, black V-neck, a studded belt, a spiked collar, leather biker gloves (at your nearest Hot Topic), fur vest, yellow tights, brown marker, cat ears and a tail
Cut the toes off of the yellow tights and cut out the crotch of the tights so that you can create a sheer yellow midriff top. (Your arms go into the legs of the stockings and your head goes through the neckhole you just created.) Use the brown marker to paint spots on the tights. Wear the black V-neck over this crop top, then the fur vest.
Mr. Mistoffolees from Cats
If Jellicle cat is your calling for Halloween, but you want something a bit easier to pull off, go with the magical Mistoffolees.
What you need: White legwarmers, black leggings, white tuxedo shirt, black cropped jacket (bonus for bedazzling your leggings and/or jacket)
Willy Wonka from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Everyone’s favorite candy man is a simple, yet recognizable costume. Use your pure imagination to channel your inner Christian Borle for a sweet night.
What you need: Green pants, white button-down shirt, yellow vest, purple blazer, green pocket square, blue necktie, black top hat, blue ribbon, a cane
Read More: HOW TWO-TIME TONY WINNER CHRISTIAN BORLE DISCOVERED HIS OWN VERSATILITY