This farcical 1940s murder mystery required costumes that captured the elegance of the era while supporting the play’s fast paced comedy. Each look reflected the heightened personalities of the ensemble cast, balancing period authenticity with the flexibility needed for quick entrances, exits, and gags.

Inspiration came from late 1930s and early 1940s silhouettes: strong shoulders, sharp tailoring, and elegant eveningwear suited to a country estate. The palette leaned into rich jewel tones and moody neutrals, punctuated by brighter accents to highlight comedic beats. Fabrics were chosen both for period accuracy and durability under the demands of physical comedy.

D e s i g n A p p r o a c h

A p P r o c e s s H i g h l i g h t s

Elsa Von Grossenknueten & Marjorie Baverstock:

Contrasting financiers of theatre. Elsa, wealthy and eccentric, appeared in emerald green satin with sleek lines, gold accents, a train, and a cape for dramatic flair. Marjorie, the aging Broadway producer, wore an orange velvet cocoon coat trimmed in fur with a heavily beaded gown beneath, reflecting both her vintage glamour and her hunger for attention.

Nikki Crandall & Eddie McCuen:

Costumes reflected their complementary character arcs. Eddie, the struggling comedian, wore grounded blue tones to emphasize his “everyman” quality. Nikki contrasted in red. a playful chorus girl exterior masking her secret identity as a spy with both palettes complement for the pair fell in love.

Helsa Wenzel & Patrick O’Reilly:

Gag driven designs. Helsa’s look was rigged for rapid transformations between maid, twin brother, and cook with a palette of black and white to symbolize life and death. Patrick’s Irish civilian disguise featured earth tones of green and brown, with pants weighted to drop dramatically when his belt was “cut.”

Ken De La Maize & Michael Kelly:

De La Maize’s white suit framed him as a “good guy,” masking his darker motives. His yellow ascot linked him visually to Kelly, who wore a brown suit with a yellow tie, a detail tying the two characters together. Kelly’s brown tones allowed him to fade into the background, underscoring his role as an undercover detective.

Bernice Roth & Roger Hopewell:

Partners in music and mischief, the lyricist and composer were united in shades of purple — a color of passion, art, and indulgence. Their coordinated palette underscored their witty, boozy, and artistic energy as a duo.