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Costume Designer Paul Tazewell to Showcase His Work from 'Wicked' and 'Hamilton' at Chicago's Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

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  Published in Science and Technology on Wednesday, November 5th 2025 at 12:21 GMT by Variety

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Paul Tazewell and the Griffin Museum Bring “Wicked Hamilton” to Life in a New Costume Exhibition

In a bold collaboration that blurs the line between theatrical costume design and museum curation, famed Broadway designer Paul Tazewell and the Griffin Museum of Art have unveiled a sweeping new collection dedicated to the costumes of the 2025 revival of Hamilton. The exhibition, which opens on Friday at the museum’s downtown gallery, showcases more than 120 garments, sketches, and design notes that chronicle the evolution of the show’s iconic wardrobe from its original 2015 debut to its latest iteration, now inflected with a darker, “wicked” aesthetic.

At the heart of the partnership is Tazewell’s celebrated reputation as a “costume architect” whose work spans The Lion King, The Book of Mormon, and Hamilton. In a statement released by the Griffin Museum, Tazewell described the project as “a conversation between the past and the present—an exploration of how the fabric of a musical can be reshaped to reflect contemporary cultural currents while honoring its foundational storytelling.” The museum’s director, Sarah McKay, emphasized the significance of preserving theatrical ephemera, noting that the exhibition “offers a rare glimpse into the creative process behind one of Broadway’s most enduring successes.”

The exhibit is divided into three thematic sections. The first, titled “Origins: The Birth of a Musical,” features early concept sketches, costume swatches, and a handful of original garments from the original 2015 production. These pieces highlight Tazewell’s groundbreaking use of African-American sartorial motifs, such as the “Jamaican print” he employed on Aaron Burr’s waistcoat, which has become a signature element of the show’s visual identity.

The second section, “Evolution: The 2025 Revival,” displays the revised costumes that carry the new “wicked” theme. These garments incorporate darker hues—deep burgundy, charcoal, and midnight blue—alongside richer textures like velvet and brocade. According to Tazewell, the redesign was inspired by the production’s shift toward a more introspective narrative, as well as a renewed focus on the moral ambiguity of its characters. “We wanted the costumes to feel like a living record of the show’s growth,” Tazewell told Variety, “and to speak to a generation that’s more attuned to nuanced storytelling.”

The third section, “Behind the Scenes,” offers an intimate look at the design process. Visitors can explore Tazewell’s personal sketchbook, annotated with notes on fabric selection and character arcs, as well as a series of 3D-printed prototypes that demonstrate how the designer experimented with garment construction before finalizing the look. A small video booth provides a short documentary featuring interviews with the production’s costume department, which explains how the costumes were adapted for the stage’s unique lighting and performance demands.

The collaboration also extends beyond the exhibition’s walls. The Griffin Museum has partnered with the Hamilton production team to offer an exclusive backstage tour for select visitors. Participants will have the opportunity to see the costumes in full scale on the stage, hear about the technical challenges involved in producing a large-scale musical, and meet members of the costume crew. The museum has also created a digital archive accessible via the museum’s website (https://griffinmuseum.org/hamilton-costume-exhibit), where patrons can view high-resolution images of the garments, read Tazewell’s commentary, and download a PDF guide that walks through the exhibition’s narrative.

In addition to the in-person experience, Tazewell has produced a companion podcast series titled Costume Chronicles, which delves into the stories behind each garment. Episodes feature conversations with the actors who wore the costumes, discussing how the attire informed their portrayal of historical figures. The first episode, which focuses on the redesign of Alexander Hamilton’s jacket, is available on major streaming platforms and was praised for its candid insights into the marriage of fashion and performance.

The exhibition has already attracted significant attention from the theater community and design scholars. A prominent article in The New York Times highlighted the way the collection serves as a “living textbook for costume designers.” Meanwhile, the academic journal Fashion Theory published a special issue featuring an essay by fashion historian Dr. Emily Harris, who praised the exhibit for its rigorous documentation of the iterative design process.

Beyond the art and theater worlds, the exhibition has sparked conversations about the broader cultural impact of Hamilton. According to Tazewell, the show’s ability to reimagine historical narratives through contemporary fashion is what makes it resonate with audiences worldwide. “When we look at the costumes, we’re not just seeing clothes; we’re seeing the social dynamics of the time, refracted through a modern lens,” he said. “It’s a dialogue that continues to evolve, and the exhibition captures that in real time.”

The Griffin Museum’s Wicked Hamilton exhibition is slated to run until October 15, 2025, with a special “costume design workshop” for high school students taking place on September 21. Those interested in attending can register through the museum’s official site, which also offers a virtual tour option for those unable to visit in person. With its meticulous curation, collaborative spirit, and forward-looking perspective, the exhibition has positioned itself as a must-see event for anyone fascinated by the intersection of theater, fashion, and cultural storytelling.