Amanda Jane Cooper makes her Broadway debut flying high and spreading goodness as Glinda in the iconic blockbuster musical Wicked
. Below, Amanda shares with us just how incredibly detailed her Tony-winning Susan Hilferty costumes are and what she loves about each distinct Oz look.
Traveling By Bubble
The iconic bubble dress! It’s such a gift to wear the genius designs of Susan Hilferty every night. I love the way this gown is built authentically, with every sequin hand stitched (there are about 64,000 of them!), multiple hoops, a barrel corset up top, and layers of petticoats. I move differently in this dress—it’s like she’s a character unto herself! Yes, I call her “she”.
Arriving at Shiz in Style
The quick change into this look is, well…quick! So quick that I didn’t have time to snap a photo of the entire thing—Glinda wears a white tam (almost like a beret) with her traveling suit as she makes her grand entrance into Shiz University. On her luggage cart no less.
Dancing Through Life & Feeling Fine
My favorite detail of my school uniform is the flower and double-tie. And when I twirl in “Dancing Through Life" this skirt swishes like a dream! Big thanks to my incredible dresser Tracey Diebold for keeping me both hydrated and sane, as well as getting me out on stage every night. : )
Serving Flirty, Feminine, Popularity
Ah yes! The “Popular” look. I looove this one, flirty and feminine. I play with my skirts a lot as Glinda so I love the fullness here. Also a huge fan of the pink shoes—alas, pictured below are my off-stage slippers. As soon as I exit after “Popular”, I change immediately into them to walk to my next change. I love our beautiful custom heels by La Duca, but because we have a raked stage (on an incline), I am careful to only wear them when needed!
Making an Impression in the Emerald City
I change from my “Popular” dress back into my white traveling suit in the second photo above, but after the train station scene comes a lightening fast change into the playful and bright “One Short Day" look! This dress encapsulates the PURE JOY that Elphie and Glinda experience as they enter the Emerald City. Again, props to my dresser Tracey for seamlessly nailing my quick changes.
Life in the Public Eye
On to Act 2! I ADORE this engagement suit that I wear during “Thank Goodness”. It’s almost brand new (grateful to have custom-fitted costumes), saturated in the most beautiful green silk, with incredible detailing on the cut and fit. We see a passage of time between the first and second act, and I love how this suit distinguishes Glinda’s journey as a budding public figure...I love the bustle on this as well.
Galinda's Gettin' Married
Here we have the engagement ballgown—elegant and refined. I love the way the bustle and skirt move as I dance with Fiyero in this. The sequins are all hand stitched and the gloves/sleeves make me feel regal. And of course, who doesn’t love a crown. I’m also grateful to our incredible Hair Supervisor Mary Kay Yezerski-Bondoc for keeping my wigs, hats and crowns looking sooo beautiful, fresh and Galindafied.
Back to the Beginning
Back into the bubble dress for the final scenes of the show. I ascend and descend multiple sets of stairs while in this last look, so we make sure that the corset and girdle are really secure. Tracey for the win. Susan Hilferty tells such a powerful story with her designs, and I’m honored to get to work and play in them each night at the Gershwin!
Don't miss Amanda Jane Cooper as Glinda in 'Wicked' live at Broadway's Gershwin Theatre.
