The Met Gala, one of the biggest nights in fashion and often referred to as the First Monday in May, was held May 7, and plenty of Broadway's best and brightest were on hand to celebration the exhibition.
This years official Costume Institute exhibition, Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion, which is now on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is themed around garments that are too fragile for traditional display. As the delicate theme cannot wholly be replicated on those attending the exhibitions Met Gala opening, the dress code was adjusted to instead be "The Garden of Time," which is named after the J.G. Ballard's dark short story.
Read on to see 10 of Playbill's favorite Met Gala looks from Broadway stars, ranging from the botanical to the bold.
J. Harrison Ghee
Tony winner J. Harrison Ghee donned a custom-made gown by Howie B. and shoes by Jimmy Choo. Ghee also wore jewelry from Queens Antiques, Swarovski and Alexis Bittar with a custom headpiece by SETADecor. For the big night, Ghee also had makeup by Rachel Roberts, hair by Caitlin Malloy and nails by Annie at Beauty Box Nails and Spa.
Cole Escola
The mind behind Broadway's upcoming Oh, Mary!, Cole Escola, wore a Thom Browne SS21 archival runway outfit, including a veil with Thom Browne's own sketches. Escola also carried a Hector basket bag, shaped like a dachshund and filled with fresh orange carnations. In that delightful look, the performer could have gone straight from the Met Gala to on stage at The Music Man.
Eddie Redmayne
Cabaret Tony nominee Eddie Redmayne wore Steve O Smith, continuing the painterly black and white sartorial theme that has served as a through-line for his public appearances while playing the Emcee.
Alex Edelman
Comedian Alex Edelman, who will receive a Special Tony Award at the 2024 ceremony in honor of his show Just For Us, sported a custom S.S.DALEY Trickling Ferns suit with vintage pearl beads. Styled by Rob Zangardi, Edelman also wore shoes by Common Projects.
Ariana Grande
It's been a while since she was on Broadway. But we couldn't not include the newest Glinda. Ariana Grande, who will soon star in the film adaptation of the blockbuster musical Wicked, wore a handcrafted mother of pearl look from Loewe, which was meticulously constructed by Jonathan Anderson, Tyler Jackson, Pol Anglada, Justine Avril, Jena Eom, Elodie Padrao, Alicia Pasquet, and Aurélia Welsch.
Cynthia Erivo
Tony winner Cynthia Erivo, who will star opposite Grande in the Wicked film, wore a custom Thom Browne two-piece in shades of black and rose, with pops of Elphaba green in the form of insects populating the garden.
The Cast of The Wiz
The cast of The Wiz were more than ready to see the Wizard. Avery Wilson, Nichelle Lewis, Phillip Johnson Richardson, and Kyle Freeman wore custom Tanner Fletcher. Grooming was by Tara Lauren, hair was by Ashley Wise, makeup was by Jesse S. Ramirez and Anthony Giles.
Alex Newell
Tony winner Alex Newell wore custom Christian Siriano, with hair by Broadway's Monique Gaffney and makeup by Kelly Bellevue.
Lea Michele
Stage and screen star Lea Michele walked the carpet pregnant in Rodarte’s SS12 Aqua Silk Gown and Tulle Cape with Silk Almond Blossom Details. The gown was actually inspired by Van Gogh’s painting and the Van Gogh dedicated room in “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” which features Rodarte’s Van Gogh-Inspired Sunflower Dress.
Maleah Joi Moon
And lastly, Tony nominee Maleah Joi Moon wore Collina Strada, with jewels by Briony Raymond, shoes by René Caovilla, makeup by LB Charles, and hair by Monae Everett. We can say that colorful gown on the Hell's Kitchen star is where dreams are made of.
