The Book of Mormon

Easy theatre-inspired Halloween costumes

You can become these Broadway characters with clothes you already have in your closet.

Allison Considine
Allison Considine

Not sure who you want to be this Halloween? Don't want to spend half your paycheck on a costume? Have no fear! Here are relatively easy DIY costumes from some of our favorite Broadway characters to have graced the stage.

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Marty McFly from Back to the Future

Orange puffer vest, jeans, white sneakers. That's all you need to transform into the iconic '80s teen from the time traveling movie. Bonus points if you wear Calvin Klein underwear, carry a guitar, or still happen to own a DeLorean.

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Alexander Hamilton from Hamilton

Perhaps you'd rather be a hero and a scholar. Alexander Hamilton is a great excuse to whip out your equestrian boots. Don't have a tail coat? Use whatever blazer or jacket you've got and dress it up with DIY epaulettes, which can be easily made with a hot glue gun and some tassels. Be a self-starter.

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Velma Kelly from Chicago

If you want a sexy costume, look no further than "Chicago's" Velma Kelly. Wear a black flapper dress, or transform a LBD with adding a strand of fringe. Put on black gloves, fishnet stockings, red lipstick, and voilà!

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Elder Price from The Book of Mormon

Hello! All you need to pull this one off is a white button down, black tie and black pants. You can even make yourself a nifty little Elder Price name tag to complete the look, and don't forget to smile as you ring those doorbells!

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Maizy and Beau from Shucked

This one's a great couples costume: Don your most countrified clothes to look like you've just stepped out of Cob County. Think a denim dress and chic boots for Maizy, while a plaid shirt, denim overalls, and work boots will turn you into Beau. And don't forget to in-corn-porate some of Cob County's beloved crop into your outfit — wear yellow accessories or even just carry an ear of corn around with you.

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Beetlejuice from Beetlejuice

Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! If you say his name three times, maybe a costume will appear. For this ensemble, fasten strips of white crepe paper on a black suit. Top it off with a tousled white wig, or perhaps some cotton batting.

Evan Hansen from Dear Evan Hansen

Evan Hansen is the perfect use-what's-in-your-closet costume. Blue polo shirt? Check. Khakis? Check. Sneakers? Check. Now for the fun part: the cast. Get some newspaper, glue, gauze, and water and make a paper mache arm cast. Bonus points if you get your friends to sign!

The Phantom from The Phantom of the Opera

If you want to be a ghoul this Halloween, be the phantom of the opera. Wear a tuxedo with a black cape — this can be fashioned from a tablecloth or bolt of black fabric — and for the essential piece, craft a half mask from a white paper plate. Don't forget the bowtie!

Miss Hannigan from Annie

"We love you Miss Hannigan" is an understatement for how much we love to hate this villainess. This costume is particularly easy: just wear a robe and some curlers or a scarf around your head. The key to this look is to be as messy and annoyed as humanely possible, and you'll be the orphanage caretaker in no time!

Elle Woods from Legally Blonde the Musical

Whoever said orange was the new pink was seriously disturbed, indeed. The key to the perfect Elle Woods costume is, as you have probably already guessed, pink! Pink anything and everything paired with a blonde wig (if you aren't blonde already) will do the trick. If you are really getting into it, carry a small chihuahua on your arm for the full effect.

Alternatively, with an all-pink costume, you could also dress up as one of the Plastics from Mean Girls.

Black Stache from Peter and the Starcatcher

Dress up as Black Stache, one of our favorite swashbucklers, and and embrace his early pre-hook style. You can easily buy a navy or black sport jacket second hand (or use an old one you have) and fashion yourself a coat like his with some gold ribbon and fabric glue. To create that iconic black stache, just apply generous amount of black face paint, as they did in the Broadway production.

Ilse from Spring Awakening

Spring and summer and... Halloween? Getting Ilse's look is very simple. An oversize white button- down, bouquet of rough looking flowers and natural hair will certainly achieve that "runaway living in the forest with artists" look.

Usnavi from In the Heights

Before the $96,000, Usvavi was just a guy running a bodega in the heightsGet his 181st Street style with a short sleeve red button down over a white undershirt, light wash jeans and a black newsboy style cap. To add authenticity, speak only in ridiculously clever raps.

Che from Evita

Something for the political commentator in all of us! Che's irresistible Argentinian everyman style is brought to you by a long sleeve white shirt, grey pants, brown suspenders and a critical opinion of the current political climate. For extra flare, brush up on your waltz steps!

Tribe member from Hair

Patterns, bellbottoms and long hair are all you need to fit in with the tribe from Hair. Basically just put together as many late- '60s style pieces you can find. Nothing should match and peace signs are a definite plus. Maybe bring along a pretend draft-card to publicly burn if the night gets dull.

Jack Kelly from Newsies

Go on strike this Halloween as Jack Kelly, newsboy extraordinaire.  Get yourself a grungy vest, canvas messenger bag, and of course, the iconic newsboy cap! Hold some prop newspaper in your hand and start practicing your toe touch to achieve that true Newsie vibe.

Sally Bowles from Cabaret

You too can be "The Toast of Mayfair" this Halloween. Less is more when it comes to mimicking Sally's nightclub couture. Wear a slip or nightgown with whatever stockings you have lying around and some character shoes (which you also probably have lying around). Add a red lip, pink feather boa and her trademark green fingernails to complete the ensemble!

Prom-goer from The Prom

Do you ever wish you could get a do-over with prom? Get inspired by The Prom and pick out the dress or suit of your adult dreams. Be sure to wear a wrist corsage or lapel boutonniere, and don't forget to pose for photos.

Eliza Doolittle from My Fair Lady

Everyone wants an excuse to buy fresh flowers. Put a few bouquets in a basket and peddle the petals as My Fair Lady's Eliza Doolittle. Wear a long skirt, a shawl, a flat top hat, and rub some brown makeup on your face. Complete the transformation with a Cockney accent.

Alexandria Ceremonial Police Orchestra Player from The Band's Visit

Do you play an instrument? Become a member of the Alexandria Ceremonial Police Orchestra! Dress up a blue suit with iron-on patches and brass buttons, and wear a police cap and aviator sunglasses. Tote your instrument and play some tunes from The Band's Visit.

Cher from The Cher Show

Wanna be a queen? Embody the Goddess of Pop, Broadway's diva... Cher! Rock some bell-bottoms, or literally anything with sequins or fringe. The key to this costume is the wig: long black locks, or a big, curly blowout. Carry a microphone and maybe sing a song or two.

Anastasia from Anastasia

If you want to go the princess route, look no further than Anastasia. The might-be Romanov dons a red gown, complete with white gloves — and a crown, of course. Craft a crown from metallic poster board, or bedazzle a paper crown with rhinestones for this royal look. Grab a red dress from your closet, and you're set.

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