What Happens To Old Broadway Costumes

Have you ever wondered what happens to all of the elaborate Broadway costumes once a show is over? Some of them actually end up in Astoria, Queens where they are collected and rented out to other performances to give them a second life. We spoke with the director of the TDF Costume Collection, Stephen Cabral, to find out how it all works and take a peek at some of the Theatre Development Fund's famous pieces.
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[@christmastree7394]

“Broadway shows don’t last forever.” Tell that to Phantom of the Opera

[@BlondietwopointWOAH]

Christmas Tree May the reign of the Phantom never end

[@aliedawnwood]

Wicked 😂

[@sliceofbread6929]

Maria Gomes Yaas Wicked

[@eclipsies]

Casual Pickles oml I see you everywhere, I’m already subbed xd

[@camilaencarnacion9573]

HAHAHHAHAHAHA

[@pandamonika]

How can you say you have clothes worn by Patti LuPone and immediately follow up by saying there aren't any clothes worn by celebrities??

[@EPatz_]

He said "celebrities LIKE Cher or Barbara Streisend" They basically mean mainstream celebs

[@AStageForTheKingdom]

Agree with Erin. Also, it's quite possible they don't rent out those high-profile items to just anybody. They might keep those items in an exclusive collection, so as far the general public is concerned, those items don't exist. I actually thought of this when he mentioned the bag sale. I somehow doubt that they would let people buy such high-profile items during a bag sale. So most likely, those high-profile items are off-limits to the general public.

[@rezashayesteh9718]

Ik 😂

[@iAmMadeOfSoup]

Ikr

[@alisonmorse9941]

Really though!

[@thelittleprotagonist2795]

I would love to play dress up in there :)

[@samanthavictoria3308]

The Little Protagonist same! I’d have so much fun. I wanna put on the mamma Mia costumes and sing dancing queen and also put on the Mimi from rent costume and scream the words to out tonight😂😂😂

[@samanthavictoria3308]

Casual Pickles at least I’m nit crazy and someone agrees with me😂

[@samanthavictoria3308]

placeboskies don’t be worried!!! Just have fun! Wow I’m saying this about a room none of us will be able to visit😂😂😂

[@thelittleprotagonist2795]

placeboskies me too I will probably trip and rip it if I wear any of the dresses 😂

[@samanthavictoria3308]

The Little Protagonist honestly same

[@TheGalWithTheBlueCat]

I need something like a Hard Rock Café just that it’s decorated with musical theatre stuff and there‘re showtunes playing in the background!!! 😍😍😍

[@julesk2629]

Kathy Firli Agreed!!

[@RuffDuddie]

Kathy Firli theatre cafe in London is pretty nice!!

[@kyliesammons735]

Yassss

[@narcisse.istic04]

When Hamilton costumes will be there I’ll have a reason to finally get out of the sofa and buy flight tickets-

[@nerdgeekcosplay909]

I’ll fight you for Eliza Schuyler‘s dress lol

[@samcab9865]

I will personally pay you for lafayette's and johns costume

[@rileysunderland1904]

If this is open to the public I would so make a whole day out of this! I would get a kick out of just looking at old broadway costumes

[@pippinnnn]

0:10 he's there, the phantom of the opera!

[@lomejordelamusicacristiana4474]

Inside my mind

[@iAmMadeOfSoup]

WICKEDDD

[@emmadelucia5733]

I’m going to that bag sale and grabbing everything from Les Mis

[@emjenkins464]

I may honestly end up timing an eventual trip to New York around it. I cosplay, do musical theatre and am considering joining the historical clothing community.

[@mluck]

Me 2

[@orawolfgram2838]

Emma De Lucia SAMMEE

[@mintymuffins8630]

So heathers costumes are there? *starts booking flight*

[@mlpLyra]

Heathers isn't on broadway

[@ZoraTheberge]

Lyra Che (they said various theatrical productions)

[@celest1alle]

Lyra Che yeah... It closed in 2014

[@a-bittersweet-tragedy0203]

SAME GIRL

[@goodjobeli]

Heathers was off-broadway not broadway lmao

[@quinnle8197]

I want that Wicked dress!!!!!!!

[@maddierawn4906]

Quinn Le don’t we all

[@megantaylor3946]

Omg I love the mention of Urinetown! I never hear it talked about at all!

[@autumn3884]

Lol same

[@nerdgeekcosplay909]

One of my favorite musicals it’s one of those ‘ don’t judge it by the title ‘

[@sy01mamabear83]

How fun would it be to spend a week snooping around there?! So awesome!

[@jazmynejacobs1701]

Sy W oh god yaaas.

[@CuriosityCulture]

I bet those can sell well on eBay 😂

[@Olivia-cl6ww]

I wanna just wear the dresses they look so fun

[@ChrisWilliam]

My theatre company got to rent a full show of costumes for my senior show. Also I need to know when this bag sale is happening... can I fit a Ballgown in a bag? lol

[@sarahdowd7046]

Anything from the great comet of 1812? Something rotten? Amelie?

[@hummersd]

Great job, Chris! Glad the costumes get to live on/are saved! Hope to visit the TDF Costume Collection one day.

[@calilovett2063]

Am I the only one who wants to go there and just screw around all day playing dress up with a bunch of equally stupid friends?

[@Simone-ht3ds]

Cali Lovett honestly that sounds awesome

[@calilovett2063]

Alright, alright, shall we rent a tour bus? 😂😂😂😂 Hehe

[@calilovett2063]

@sarah ah, me too. 😁 I live in Europe! The struggles of far away Broadway fans!

[@calilovett2063]

Then you get it 😭❤️

[@NeedANewName]

Sarah Hamilfan want to fly together? Go Dutchies

[@MeOw-cf5gi]

TDF GIVE ME LINS JACKET!!!

[@JadedDinosaur0]

In conclusion Broadway costumes can be sold on eBay

[@robertgold3868]

A bag sale would be fun to go to. I wonder when and if they ever post that information.

[@nardo218]

I've read that there's a dress that was used in Cinderella and Gone With the Wind that was first used in a silent biopic about Queen Christina of Denmark in the 20s, and was used all the way up through the 80s. Beautiful ball gowns are that valuable.

[@infernalpear5332]

He says big celebs don't donate :Shows off a outfit worn by Patti LuPone.

[@jamie3407]

The ultimate wardrobe 😂

[@christinethephantomqueen1388]

“Broadway shows don’t last forever” *phantom lurking in the shadows* Now that’s where you’re wrong

[@Lady_dromeda]

Ive always wondered about that. In my high school shows our costumes were mostly thrifted or from previous shows

[@theroadtocosplayandcomicco5840]

Mine closet or our personal costume racks

[@emjenkins464]

My drama group has ex royal opera house costumes, but it's nothing like their collection

[@alexisbyrd9569]

Any phantom fans ?

[@rando1265]

Yeah its definitely like we just wondered outta nowhere what happens to old Broadway costumes

[@MrsLadyPerez]

Houssa. slays Queen I actually have.. As a performer, I do wonder what happens since you almost never see a room full of all old costumes at playhouses. Even if they do keep the costumes, they only keep the good one they know for sure will be used again

[@SunyiSideUp]

I knew this, only because I've been in productions that rented costumes from them, before. It's a really cool feeling to know you're wearing something that once graced the Broadway stage. (Maybe someday I'll actually wear a costume ON a Broadway stage, too lol).

[@cjdeclaro16]

I do wonder what they do to the constumes, as well as the sceneries, after a show's run is finished

[@madisonpickering7996]

lol you must have never met a theatre kid

[@emilyannn]

Houssa. slays Queen I DO

[@Pinkstrberry3]

"Broadway shows don't last forever" Me: sadly *goes into a puddle of tears

[@mayadg16]

Omg yes to everything!😱😍😭🎶 if I could only afford a lot of the costume pieces

[@emilyannn]

Omg this is so cool 😭 I want to go there and try them on haha

[@celest1alle]

I wonder if there are any heathers costumes in there...

[@emmaforde3745]

This is so much better than I thought it would be

[@laurenospina8066]

Okay does this mean I could finally wear the Elphaba Act II dress??? That would be a dream come true

[@mariahlynlopez6152]

*GIVE ME ALL THE LEGALLY BLONDE COUSTUMES!*

[@zoeyc28]

Ok these are so awesome and I would honestly work there and love it so much.

[@zoeyc28]

Can I please go there I need to go there

[@LauraS_1194]

Awesome idea!😀👍

[@goodjobeli]

OH MY GOD IS THERE NEWSIES COSTUMES?!

[@goodjobeli]

watch me walk in there and steal crutchie's crutch

[@Delaney-and-the-Starlight]

I got to use costumes from the tdf warehouse for an opera I was in and it was AMAZING!!! 💗

[@amandajohnson1348]

My highschool used this for Les Mis, we used the back wall! I was young Cosette

[@orangefroggo552]

Justin Y is late... We must summon him now!

[@monalie6947]

You summoned his mom

[@fabianalfonsoooo]

omg stop it, he's irrelevant.

[@firstnamelastname8727]

YOURE RIGHT EHFAHO*EDJ HES NOT EVERYWHERE CONFIRMED

[@orangefroggo552]

Justin Y.'s mom is your son home

[@xqueen9650]

Orange Froggo 😂

[@djspookyty]

God my little Broadway loving heart is filled with so much love after watching this video

[@juliaeisenberg9605]

When are those "bag days" cause i want to come in and actually take stuff home.Let me know

[@bernadettepama8969]

I WANT TO LIVE THERE THE COSTUMES AND NOSTALGIA!!!

[@Lilabet93]

Going there would be my dream!!!

[@thebasicbox3978]

*_Goodwill For Broadway_*

[@DevinePerfection]

We’ve got a pair of Grizabella gloves from a Cats production done in Aus. I loved looking at them when I was a kid, but only look no touch 😅

[@k.o.h8446]

Informative. 👍

[@Simone-ht3ds]

Jhoooooooooope

[@Simone-ht3ds]

Sorry I shouldn’t do that nvm

[@Hope-si1kb]

I've actually always wondered this

[@agirlnamedbrett.]

omg I would love to be apart of that bag sale. so badass.

[@MartinelunafayeWhitear21]

Awesome

[@baileybloyer2123]

Not me knowing what show the costumes at 2:50 came from. 1776 is sooo underrated and the costuming is ICONIC

[@teddiespicker]

3:41 I WANT THAT!!!!!! That’s one of the suits from the greatest showman!!!! OMFG I AM LITERALLY DIEING RIGHT NOW!!!

[@julesk2629]

That white dress is divine

[@selfanothermostlikely478]

This would be an amazing day out

[@singerAR0406]

I've often wondered if any of my costumes made it in there...

[@bennyboiart7781]

Correction: Halloween is not worthy of these costumes 🙅‍♂️

[@sophedwards3839]

Benjamin Edwards last name twins

[@djspookyty]

Okay but it would be funny if they had the costumes from Book of Mormon or even pieces from Be More Chill (however I know a lot of the original pieces were auctioned off before the off Broadway performance started)

[@carrotcake6538]

Is there any Hamilton ones ?

[@kaylibowen8868]

carrot cake Hamilton is far from being done with its run

[@ZoraTheberge]

K. Bow well Wicked is still going quite strong but they have an Elphaba dress. It must have been retired or in some condition where it no longer served a purpose. I know Wicked (and I’m sure all long running shows) has a massive storage collection. Felicia Ricci mentions it in her book. That way when you replace or have international productions you have a stock to back to and not everything has to be made from scratch every time.

[@ZoraTheberge]

Potentially, but I’d think they would try to build up a back stock

[@SunyiSideUp]

I don't think so... mostly because Hamilton is really tight with their costumes and everything, and because they have several tours, so I wouldn't be surprised if some of the costumes have just gone on tour, or become backups. But since Hamilton will likely run for a loooong time, some of the costumes will eventually cycle out, and I bet this will be the case. As far as I know, Hamilton isn't even open for like smaller theatres doing productions of it, yet, so I really doubt the costumes are available, yet, either.

[@Toadboy123]

Lin Manuel’s costume is in Washington D.C. I think.

[@NerdyFangirl-hi2hz]

Ohhhh my gooooood

[@PhantosaurusRex]

I wonder if they have any of the costumes from Spring Awakening because if they do I would want to go just to try on one of those school boy costumes or maybe Wendla’s blue dress

[@marelisebrink8727]

Ok so for my birthday party I’m just inviting everyone to this place and having a major dress up party!

[@merribellewharton938]

I hope they have some Newsies costumes! 😂❤️

[@sofeashabani]

"you wont necessarily find costumes worn by big celebrities" ummMMM PATTI LUPONE AND JANE KRAKOWSKI THOUGH

[@janedennis2461]

that place is my absolute dream oh my god...

[@clarity_art]

When is the sale? I really want to go there and buy some of the clothing. It looks impressive

[@oxnyxws]

Stratford Festival in Ontario has a wonderful wardrobe Warehouse you can to her as well as you're interested in that kind of thing.

[@michellelambe4845]

One of my companies gets our costumes from there, its really awesome

[@nuggetwings5932]

*_GIMME_*

[@sophedwards3839]

Joy Kat Nora pansexuals unite

[@chloerosst.bitara579]

Woaahhh

[@george-vk8ke]

oh this is heaven

[@splishyslashypinup]

The dress Jane Krakowski's "Ilona" dress😱😲❤

[@junobrosas]

I would DIE to wear Patti LuPone's Gypsy costume

[@Kaopuschel]

I want to go crazy in the shoe section! Why are you so far away? ;(

[@phantomlover1000]

Broadway shows don't last forever. Well phantom is still going lol . And it's my favorite show ever !

[@alex-yr1fu]

0:49 was that the fighting French fry, Lafayette’s costume

[@samcab9865]

I don't think so..... But it would be dooopppeeee

[@kristintrisha2616]

😍😍😍

[@rezashayesteh9718]

Books flight!

[@iAmMadeOfSoup]

I would keep mine tbh my dream is to play Elphaba 😂

[@lasharonbrown9454]

I’d love a 1800’s costume any color

[@alaskacosplay]

Im grabbing a couple of the bags and try to find some ladies shoes that might fit me. Broadway shoes are really made to withstand a wide variety of people and dancing. If anybody sees me trying to shove corsets and hoopskirts into a bag, Im that type of person who gets what goes on underneath the costumes since I love the foundation garments.

[@ioannant8418]

Are there Juan Perón's purple pajamas?

[@birdyad9688]

Where is this?! If there is Phantom Of the Opera costumes i am already on the plane

[@juanmiguelperezSGWS]

cool

[@sburris65]

I would love to go to the bag sale

[@fatigued4646]

I peep Hamilton clothes ;)

[@carleavesceo709]

I wondered what happened to the costumes that belong to The Eaves Costume Company.

[@robwilliamson5082]

I want to live in there.

[@Senura101]

Wow 😑 they are old indeed !!!

[@casanova8879]

Those costumes looks hella scary tho

[@xember6697]

Now im lowkey hoping when Six ends their costumes would end up here

[@HardcorePanda]

Reminds me of Triple HHH.

[@xxkarencxx9360]

What show was the white gown the woman was wearing at the end from?

[@josukeshairspray232]

Rocky horror picture show?

[@bigred8432]

That isn't a stage show.

[@oliver91ist]

They might have some from The Rocky Horror Show which is the stage musical, but from the 2001/2 Production

[@exkmam733]

Hey I'm an early Insider?

[@nenitastar99]

Imagine trying on Mark's sweater

[@julien4305]

If they have have hamilton musical costumes there *please let me know*

[@abbyhayman7874]

I want to put on those beautiful gowns and dance around in them.

[@miwazzz]

Are there the old SIX the musical costumes