Designing Broadway: Costume Designer Gregg Barnes on the Ghostly Glamour of Follies

Tapping into the over-the-top glamour required for Follies was a "daunting, thrilling, intimidating" task for costume designer Gregg Barnes, but the spectacular sartorial results speak for themselves. In the Stephen Sondheim-scored show, Barnes had to dig into time periods extending backward from 1971, when the show is set; through 1941, when the show’s characters were Follies stars; back to 1918. From the intricate beading and headpieces (“I’m sure they’re not the most comfortable things to wear!") of the showgirls' costumes to the face-framing dresses designed for leading ladies like Bernadette Peters and Elaine Paige, Barnes left no detail to chance. Click on to hear Barnes share the stories behind some of Broadway’s most eye-popping outfits, then see them sparkle on stage at the Marquis Theatre.