As part of the ArtBeat Greensboro Celebration, William Ivey Long will take the Carolina Theatre stage on Tuesday, April 29 at 7:30pm for a special presentation.
Critically acclaimed, hailed as a creative genius, and known in some circles to be the best of the best in the world of costume design, the North Carolina native has dressed ballerinas, the Misses Teen USA, USA and Universe, countless Shakespearean types, Mick Jagger and Siegfried and Roy. His work has been seen on the stars of theatre, opera, dance, television, movies and concerts as well as gracing the most glamorous bodies in Hollywood.
Long’s theatre experience began in childhood, where he spent the first three years of his life in a dressing room at the Raleigh Little Theatre with his family. Said Long, “It was like a circus family. I often say my parents left the farm to join the circus.” His father was working as a technical director at the time (he later wrote plays), and his mother acted and designed costumes. His parents were also active in early productions of "The Lost Colony" where, today, Long himself is still involved as production designer.
With four shows currently running on Broadway, the celebrated designer most recently created costumes for his 56th Broadway production, Young Frankenstein. His credits run from the sublime, Six Degrees of Separation, to the ridiculous, Seussical the Musical, to the sublimely ridiculous, The Producers, for which Long won one of his five Tony Awards.
FROM TASTE TO TRAVESTY: THE COSTUME DESIGNS OF WILLIAM IVEY LONG will feature a video presentation followed by Long’s own take on his work, complete with a question and answer session. The always-engaging designer will also have some of his favorite costumes on display in the Theatre lobby for a chance to see the details in person. -- www.carolinatheatre.com
