Fashion

12 Stylish Women On Broadway Because We Shouldn't Only Celebrate Them During The Tony's

Every year, the Tony Awards grant some much deserved attention to Broadway theatre on a national stage. It goes without saying that all involved in putting on Broadway productions prove awe-inspiring, yet it's the women of Broadway who possess a little something extra for me. Perhaps it's due to a particular tenacity on stage or behind-the-scenes that comes from the unparalleled level of talent required to flourish in theatre, but the women who work on Broadway just seem to shine a little brighter.

As such, it goes without saying that the women who walked down the Tony Awards' red carpet on June 7 proved a source of fashion inspiration. Not just because they looked great, but also because they were flourishing in one of (if not the) most difficult creative fields.

Success on Broadway is a rare feat, something still even rarer among women. Case and point: In the 2014-2015 season, out of 35 original and revival plays and musicals, only eight were directed by women. The need to celebrate the women of Broadway, therefore, becomes all the more clear.

But again, to recognize them as a source of inspiration really isn't all that difficult. Their work undeniably stands as the most impressive of all, but the way each uses fashion to her advantage definitely proves of nearly equal inspo. And not just for Tony's night, but always.

by Melissa L. Haney

Kelli O' Hara

Nominated in 2015 for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for her role in The King and I, Kelli O’ Hara has racked up a total of six Tony nominations (all in this same category) throughout the course of her Broadway career.

An inspiring feat, O’ Hara’s nominations are only one marker of her talent — one that translates perfectly into a classic, feminine, all-American style clearly influenced by her Oklahoman roots.

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Marianne Elliott

It’s no shocker that only a handful of women have ever been nominated for — let alone won — a Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical or of a Play. (Hmm, Oscars, anyone?) Which, of course, is what makes British director Marianne Elliot all that much more amazing.

Nominated this year for her direction of the play The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Elliot — like the select group of badass lady directors before her — proves that to be a women doesn’t imply that one must be an actress to succeed on Broadway.

Moreover, Elliott also debunks the notion that to be taken seriously as a female director, one must only wear shapeless black ensembles at all times. One look at any of her tailored red carpet looks, and Elliott becomes a clear source of fashion inspiration.

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Montego Glover

A Tennessee native, Montego Glover fittingly garnered her first Tony nomination in 2009 for her role as Fellicia Farrell in the musical Memphis. Since then, Glover has proven herself on stage time and time again, most recently performing in the new musical It Shoulda Been You.

Much like her talent, Glover’s wardrobe is something that needs no clarification, marked by vibrant colors, unique silhouettes, and bold accessories, Glover’s wardrobe proves she knows what it means to have an oh-so-enviable personal style.

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Jeanine Tesori

Nominated in 2015 for her work as composer for the musical Fun Home, Jeanine Tesori pretty much perfectly exemplifies what is means to be a woman working off-stage on Broadway. One of the only women to be nominated in a category outside of any including the word “Actress,” Tesori proves that the girls can make art just as beautiful as all the guys who have been nominated year after year after year.

The eloquence and passion with which she works (and talks about her work) proves that some of the coolest and most inspiring people of theatre aren’t necessarily found under the spotlight.

Unsurprisingly, Tesori’s coolness extends seamlessly into her composer’s wardrobe — one effortlessly defined by a creative energy that makes even just a pair of jeans and a black sweater look like the chicest thing around.

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Catherine Zuber

If there is anyone who dresses as you probably envision a costume designer does, it’s Catherine Zuber. A true legend in the field, Zuber has won multiple Tonys for her work in Broadway shows that span as far back as 1993.

Nominated this season for her work in The King and I (she also found time to design the costumes for Gigi ) Zuber clearly knows what it means to dress with purpose.

Such understanding applies to her own personal style, which inspires by means of its bold distinctness — like the costumes she so expertly creates, Zuber’s wardrobe it truly one-of-a-kind.

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Kristin Chenoweth

Unsurprisingly, Kristen Chenoweth has been killing it yet again this season on Broadway. Nominated for her role in the musical On the 20th Century, Chenoweth provides a constant reminder as to why she (at 4’11”) stands as one of the most well-known stage actress of this generation.

Her personal style only adds to the overall effect, proving that Chenoweth can hit high notes both on stage and on the red carpet, displaying an ever-evolving sense of fashion that keeps getting better.

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Beth Malone

Best Performance by a Lead Actress in a Musical nominee for her portrayal of Allison in Fun Home, Beth Malone brazenly redefines the image of a lead actress on Broadway. Forgoing the sparkle and spectacle, Malone opts for a look and demeanor much more in keeping with her character in the aforementioned musical.

As such, her personal style becomes one of refreshing variation, reminding everyone that to dress as a woman doesn’t always have to adhere to societal stereotypes — and what’s more inspirational than that?

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Chita Rivera

A true Broadway legend, Chita Rivera has performed in a grand total of 18 Broadway productions, the most recent of which, The Visit, garnered her a Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play nomination at the 2015 Tony Awards.

Rivera certainly isn’t your run-of-the-mill Millennial fashion inspiration, but that’s one of the reasons why she’s so great. A women who encapsulates old-school Broadway razzle-dazzle, Rivera unapologetically allows her vibrant personality to shine through her always on point choice in wardrobe — and that’s a source of fashion inspiration that crosses all generations.

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Phillipa Soo

As part of the original cast of the soon-to-be on Broadway production of Hamilton, Phillipa Soo is destined for Broadway superstardom. When such a destiny is indeed fulfilled, Soo’s style is most certainly ready. She may spend three hours a night in period pieces, but Soo’s personal style is refreshingly modern, a distinctly 21st century take of the Broadway, well, superstar.

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Rebecca Naomi Jones

Rebecca Naomi Jones is a rockstar — or at least is probably the closest a musical theatre actor can get to becoming a rock star. With roles in American Idiot, Passing Strange, and Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Jones has certainly shown herself to be more than capable of rocking out on stage.

The whole rockstar factor transpires expertly into her refreshingly cool personal style, one enviable not only for its ultra-cool colors and accessories, but for its effortless uniqueness.

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Victoria Clark

As with all the other theatre legends on this list, Gigi actress Victoria Clark need not prove any further just how talented she is — an esteemed career acting on stage demonstrates more than enough.

What’s more is her sense of style, which once again mirrors her peers in its sheer timelessness, something that serves as inspiration due to its constant adherence to a classic fashion that always looks great, seemingly without even one moment of trying.

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Emily Skeggs

Another slide, yet another member of the cast of Fun Home. Fresh out of Emerson college (she graduated in 2012), Skeggs nabbed a Tony nomination for her role as (Medium) Allison in Fun Home.

Like seemingly everyone else involved with Fun Home, Skeggs maintains a distinct and inspirational personal style that defines traditional definitions of femininity. In her case, this means young, bright, and daring fashion choices that promise the best is yet to come.

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