DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Bill Doherty tries on every costume he makes to ensure it will work for performers in the Mardi Gras Follies. This fish costume was originally made for the Mrs. America pageant and led to a first place win in the costume division.
Fishes in stitches
With a bit of ingenuity and a lot
of recycling, Bill Doherty designs
costumes each year for the
Mardi Gras Follies
Sequin-covered shower curtain rings, nylon net bath scrubbers and plastic grids are a few of the items Bill Doherty uses to dress women.
Needless to say, his garments don't exactly have street appeal, but onstage, his elaborate costumes and headdresses sparkle.
49th annual Mardi Gras Follies
When: 6:30 p.m. dinner and 7:45 p.m. show, Fridays and Saturdays, through March 27. Noon buffet and 1:45 p.m. show on Sunday and March 14.Where: The Banyans Club, Pearl Harbor
Admission: $35, $45 and $50, includes a buffet dinner
Call: 473-1703
Doherty has been the costume designer for Mardi Gras Follies, the Pearl Harbor-based cabaret revue presented by Jack Cione, for a decade.
One of the highlights of this year's performance is an elaborate underwater scene. Men-o'-war, seaweed and a coral reef will create a vignette of swirling color. An eel and three glittering mermaids on small floats add even more allure.
Yet, another denizen of the deep is the humuhumunukunukuapua'a, brought to life via a costume that was once worn by Cheryl Morales, reigning Mrs. Hawaii.
"She won first place for the state costume award," said Doherty, who created a special frame inside the costume to support its weight of about 20 pounds.
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Costume design assistant Sandra Tanaka, left, and designer Bill Doherty help fit Patti Chrzanowski into a fish costume.
There's a lot of recycling as Doherty has to "make do" with the materials and costumes he has available. Hundreds of costumes are needed each year to fit different themes. "A lot already comes out of my own pocket," he said.
So last year's Easter egg costumes have been transformed into baby balloon fish, he said. "During the Easter parade, people did not know where to look. There were birds and butterflies atop the trees, animals, Easter bonnets and eggs."
His goal: to make the underwater scene even more spectacular. "This gives me a reason to create," he said. The costumes take about six months to complete. "I already have ideas going through my head for next year," he said.
Doherty gets most of his fabrics through Kaimuki Dry Goods. "A lot of the other stuff can't be found on the islands. We ship everything in, especially the feathers."
The costumes are intricately embellished with feathers, beads, sequins and crystals. All the items are sewn and decorated by a team of five volunteers: Hazel Amen, Cora Freitas, Gwen Takeguchi, Sandra Tanaka and Joy Zachary.
"I practically live at Bill's house," Tanaka said. "I love working with him because he is totally meticulous. He thinks of every detail."
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Costume designer, Bill Doherty tries on a head dress he made from household odds and ends for the Mardi Gras Follies show at Pearl Harbor. Scruntchies (used for washing dishes) dangle from a plastic grid originally used in ceiling lighting.
Patti Chrzanowski, president of the Pearl Harbor Performing Arts Association, attests to that, saying Doherty is known to take costumes apart and start over again if he doesn't like the fabric or embellishment.
Chrzanowski has worked on the Follies for 19 years, from performing as a showgirl to overseeing the entire event.
This year marks the 49th production of the annual fund-raiser for local military and civilian charities. The Las Vegas-style revue includes a cast of 50 dancers, singers and specialty acts.
The scope of work done for the production is enormous, Chrzanowski said. "Bill wakes up in the middle of the night worried about how he will complete everything in time."
Tanaka said he takes the performer into consideration, making sure the costumes never interfere with routines. "He never uses wire that would poke the wearer," she said.
"I try everything on," Doherty said. "If I can wear it, they can wear it."
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Patti Chrzanowski tries on a "Swamp" costume she made for the Mardi Gras Follies show at Pearl Harbor. Sandra Tanaka helps with the fitting.
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