A major exhibition titled "Crafting Character: The Costumes of Paul Tazewell" is set to premiere at Chicago’s Griffin Museum of Science and Industry on January 19, 2026. This will be the first exhibition of its kind dedicated to the extensive work of Paul Tazewell, a renowned costume designer whose creations have graced numerous stage and screen productions. Tazewell expressed his profound honor and privilege in a statement, emphasizing his excitement about sharing his work in an engaging and immersive way, inviting others into the experience.

The exhibition, housed in the Museum’s immersive Griffin Studio, promises a multimedia experience guided by Tazewell’s own words and vision. It will combine displays of his iconic costumes with his personal narration, behind-the-scenes videos, photos, and sketches, providing an intimate look into the transformation of imagination into reality. Highlights of the collection include various costumes from the musical “Wicked,” such as Glinda’s pink bubble dress and Elphaba’s Emerald City dress, as well as Janelle Monáe’s MET Gala looks. Also featured are Ariana DeBose’s memorable yellow dress from Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” and Tazewell’s Tony Award-winning costume designs from the original Broadway production of “Hamilton,” including the Schuyler sisters’ winter ball gowns, Hamilton, Jefferson, and Burr’s suits, and King George’s outfit.

Dr. Chevy Humphrey, CEO and President of Griffin MSI, highlighted the museum’s belief that “if you can see it, you can be it,” positioning Tazewell as a prime example of this philosophy. She noted that Tazewell’s personal story and creative process, from initial idea to final conception, are intended to inspire the next generation of innovators and creators. Tazewell’s illustrious career spans three decades in theater, film, and television, earning him multiple accolades. He recently made history as the first Black man to win the Academy Award for Best Costume Design for “Wicked.” His other recognitions include Tony Awards for “Death Becomes Her” and “Hamilton” on Broadway, and an Emmy for “The Wiz! Live.” His latest work will be featured in “Wicked: For Good,” which is slated for release on November 21.

The upcoming film “Wicked: For Good” is envisioned by director Jon M. Chu as part of “one giant arc” with its predecessor “Wicked,” delving deeper into the complicated relationship and consequential choices of Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande). Production designer Nathan Crowley was tasked with expanding the world of “Wicked” for this conclusion. He conceptualized Elphaba’s hiding place in the forest as she embraces her destiny as the “Wicked Witch of the West.” Crowley’s designs included dynamic, circular, rotating trees and a unique “mother tree” where Elphaba creates a nest, a concept not initially in the script but developed to enhance the narrative.

The construction of this elaborate forest set for “Wicked: For Good” was an organic and intricate process, taking six weeks to assemble. Crowley’s team, in collaboration with the greens department, utilized wood collected from local forests to weave the nest together, creating a sculptural piece that he described as “totally an art installation.” Attention was also given to lighting, with the mold-making department creating transparent silicone giant leaf molds with hand-painted veins, allowing cinematographer Alice Brooks to achieve specific lighting effects on the roof of the nest. Even the bed within the nest was crafted from weaving branches, contributing to the organic aesthetic.

“Wicked: For Good” has garnered significant recognition, leading the Hollywood Music in Media Awards with six nominations, including a score nomination for John Powell. The ceremony, which celebrates outstanding scores and songs in film, TV, and video games, is scheduled for November 19 at The Avalon in Hollywood, CA. Notable song nominations from the film include “No Place Like Home” performed by Cynthia Erivo and “The Girl in the Bubble” performed by Ariana Grande, both penned by Stephen Schwartz. The film’s numerous nominations underscore its anticipated impact on the cinematic musical landscape.

Director Jon M. Chu elaborated on the film’s central themes, emphasizing how “Wicked: For Good” tests Elphaba and Glinda’s friendship as they navigate their new identities and the far-reaching consequences of their actions across Oz. Chu mused on the challenges of adhering to choices and confronting injustices, particularly from Glinda’s perspective. He underscored that the film is fundamentally about friendship, a theme deeply personal to him and his collaborators.

Chu, along with cinematographer Alice Brooks and editor Myron Kerstein, was recently honored with the Creative Collaborators Award, a testament to their enduring partnership. Their journey began at USC, where Chu and Brooks, both passionate about musicals during a time when the genre was considered “dead” in Hollywood, forged a deep bond. Brooks recounted a treasured music box given to her by Chu at the end of their first collaboration, which plays “When You Wish Upon a Star” – a symbol of their shared dream. In a reciprocal gesture, Brooks gave Chu a music box engraved “unlimited” on the first day of shooting “Wicked.” Chu likened their collaborative dynamic to the “Michelangelo Effect,” where individuals inspire each other to realize their best selves, emphasizing the profound trust and mutual expectation that underpins their work.

Kerstein, who has collaborated with Chu since “Crazy Rich Asians,” shared an emotional moment recalling editing Elphaba’s “No Good Deed” sequence. Chu praised Kerstein’s empathic approach to editing musical numbers, likening each to a unique puzzle requiring different emotional structures. He explained that while action-oriented versions of “No Good Deed” existed, Kerstein’s focus on subtle details allowed the number’s emotional core to resonate profoundly. The long-standing trust among the collaborators enables them to be rigorously critical yet supportive, finding comfort in navigating the unknown together to achieve their artistic vision.