Dress Up

October is a time when kids and adults become someone—or something—other than themselves, all thanks to the power of costumes. No place in Palm Beach County embodies the magic of sartorial transformation like The Wick Theatre and Costume Museum in Boca Raton.

Costumes from The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (left) and Singin’ in the Rain (right)

   Marilyn Wick and her daughter, Kimberly, have been curating for decades and today own original costumes from more than 35 Broadway productions and revivals. The museum displays a selection of this collection, including looks from A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (currently onstage at The Wick through November 1), Titanic, Li’l Abner, and even My Fair Lady‘s legendary “Ascot Gavotte” scene. Guided tours provide a fun and informative review of 100 years of theatrical design, ranging from the mod, Mondrian-inspired outfits of the hit musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying to the romantic Victorian ensembles from the Broadway flop Dracula. Each tour concludes with a luncheon at The Wick’s new Tavern Room restaurant and can be augmented with a cabaret performance or a main-stage production.

   We toured The Wick Costume Museum and loved every minute of it. Below, we outline some of the highlights.

A costume from the musical Titanic

• ACT I: The tour kicks off in a lobby packed with costumes from some of the twentieth century’s most memorable films. Original looks from The King and I, Singin’ in the Rain, and The Addams Family as well as frocks worn by Mae West and Dick Tracy line every inch of the plush space.
• ACT II: The curtain rises to unveil a massive hall filled with 12 showcases of Broadway costumes. From the rotating carousel featuring dresses from the aforementioned “Ascote Gavotte” scene to the multitiered display boasting a number of looks from Titanic, every corner features scenes from a different production—and your docent is eager to share trivia for each.
• ACT III: Before making your way to the Tavern Room for lunch, you are ushered backstage of The Wick Theatre. Here, you’ll encounter sets and props from whichever show currently inhabits the main stage. Your docent will answer all your pressing questions about the ins and outs of show business and will then bid you adieu until your next night at the theater.