[Laura]

I am currently playing Rizzo in Grease for my school production, and was wondering if anyone could suggest/direct me to some hairstyles that would be suitable for her to wear, that won't require drastic changes.

A wig is out of the question.

I have long-ish brown hair that is naturally wavy but can be easily curled or straightened; my hair is quite versatile and can really do anything I tell it to!!

The only answer I got from our hair/makeup team was to put it in a high ponytail, but everyone is doing that to their hair and I think Rizzo would not conform to the hairstyles that everyone else is wearing; she's quite independent and individual and I think this could be reflested in her dress/hair/makeup.

Any makeup suggestions would be great also

Thanks guys,
Laura

[PappyCat]

I'm totally ruined by the movie, but I always associate short hair with Rizzo. Even just a little shorter, like a bob. Short hair always screams independent, confident woman.

[JIJane]

Fifties hairstyles were soft and curly. Straight hair was out. Short hair was in. The Fifties look was usually achieved by an arduous process of pin curling and rolling. Remember - no blow dryers in the 50s. The beehive as worn by Dusty Springfield was very popular, so you may want to go down that route. That however, was late 50's. I think the cutest 1950s hairstyle for women was to pull the hair back into a bun and wrapping a chiffon scarf around it.

[Chevstriss]

I can't imagine doing those hairstyles with out a wig. why won't they wig you?

[opheliarose]

Our Rizzo had short dark curly hair. You might be able to fake it by curling it then individually pinning the curls so they stick closer to your head. You might also consider a temporary color to look a bit more dramatic.

[Brigantine]

Regarding GIJane's comment- wasn't it 1959 in Grease?

I'd just do hot rollers... gel, hairspray, tease... big hair. How long is it? past the middle of your back or shorter?

something like these?

[Chevstriss]

those are definately not 50s shots.

90s, maybe

[Brigantine]

no, they're not FROM the 50's... just inspired by. only ones I could find of longer-ish hair.

[MaryMag]

brigantine! where did you get those! those are like ripoffs of very specific varga pictures. i'm not really excited about this homage to him.

[Brigantine]

They are Vargas. EDIT: sorry, sorry, missed the words "reminiscent of" ......
some shots for Vanity Fair or something:

http://www.catwalkqueen.tv/2007/04/vanity_fairs_va.html

[highkick49]

As far as the character of Rizzo and what she would have hair-wiz and make-up. Rizzo is the leader of the pink lady's and she's a rough and tumble girl but still very much a pink lady. I think you need to figure out what the other pink ladies are doing and make sure you all share a smiliarity but at the same time each have a very present individual style.

Rizzo I also feels wheres a lot of make-up, she realizes that although she maybe the leader of this group of girls she has a lot of scars on the inside and uses make-up to try and conver up her inner insecurities, espeicall during the song Sandra-Dee you can tell she is just merely jeleous of her natural beauty because her own beauty if very forced.

hope that helps, I'm not very familar with any particular terms when it comes to make-up or hair, but as far as charactorization I would just take it from what I said and elaborate from that for your own individual portrayal and what fits with the production!

Break a leg!

[Jman383]

I actually disagree with the above comment (make-up wise anyways). My personal opinion is that:

No matter the length, Rizzo should DEFINITELY have some sort of curls. If not, at least have it be short and spunky. When I hear the name "Rizzo" I immediately think curls though. As far as make-up, DEFINITELY go light on it. If you read the character descriptions by Warren and Casey in the script, it says Rizzo has "unconventional good looks". Granted, you can take that for what it's worth, but I always saw Rizzo with less make-up than the others, and more of a natural beauty. In actuality, it should be Marty with the caked on make-up (to try and appear much more older and sophisticated than she really is), and Frenchy with the most outlandish hair (to try and draw attention from her face, which typically, is suppose to be more homely). Just my thoughts though. I put some pics of our Rizzo below to show you how it can be done, that isn't exactly like the movie. She went with longer curls (and her hair is naturally straight and lighter), and although she had more make-up on than I could have cared for, I guess it's because it's theatre, and you obviously shouldn't be drowned out by the lights. Hope this helps

[highkick49]

Ah nice, a different interpretation I love it!

But I think that you can't deny that Rizzo has something to cover up. She's this over exaggerated high school badass who is living in a facade of her ownself. If she was exactly as she said she was than the whole "There are worse things I could do" moment would be completely irrelevant. It was just my suggestion that I felt this insecurity could be shown through her make-up, but it can also be shown through her wardrobe as it appears to have been done in the pictures that you posted. I mean a huge black belt like that, even if was the style of the times says to me closed off - i'm covering this up because I don't want you to look at it.

Maybe I was wrong about the make-up but I feel her insecurity should be prevelant in someway shape or form to show concious intent to the audience of an attempt to cover herself up to everyone around her.

wow who knew I would be having a dramatic analysis discussion of Grease! today.

[Jman383]

Oh I completely agree, she definitely has something to cover up, I always just saw it more with her relationships than anything else. I mean, I guess my interpretation is that although Marty seems to be the one who gets all of the guys, Rizzo's the only Pink who actually goes and sleeps with them on the first date, you know?

In my opinion, though I can't say if this is right or not, Rizzo probably didn't have a strong father figure, and thus, she's trying to get guys' attention no matter what the means of doing that is, seeing as she was so deprived of it. I'm almost guessing her dad walked out on her and her mom. Furthermore, I don't see a strong relationship with her mother either. Her mom's definitely there though... I almost see her mom as one of those depressed alcoholic types who tells her daughter she's worthless and ugly, and every criticism in the book, simply b/c she's insecure about her own life. And thus, Rizzo has carried that anger and animosity into her own being... hense acting catty and always wanting to be the top dog. She acts confident, mature, and like a leader, but it's all because she's covering up how tired, lonesome and sad she really is.

I dunno, I could be wrong, but either way, you're completely right, she IS trying to cover her emotions up in one way or another.

[Laura]

^^^^^

The last three posts have been incredibly helpful.

I totally agree with Jman/s comments about Rizzo's parents, and also think i will be as minimal with makeup and have red lips and red nail polish.

I think curls will be good and fairly easy to do and those pictures look good, but other comments would also be greatly appreciated.

The other girls are, as far as I know just wearing very high ponytails, and Sandy's hair is out with a ribbon in it.

thanks hepa sfor your comments - any more would be greatly appreciated!!

[Jman383]

Hmm, though I'm clearly not your director, I definitely don't think Marty and Frenchy should just have ponytails. Marty should definitely be down, sexy and/or cute, and Frenchy's needs to be over the top, either with style, color, accessories, or something. Jan is definitely ponytail material though, as she's the most youthful of the girls. I dunno, just my thoughts.

Glad I could help with the Rizzo stuff though. Now question, are you wearing a pootle skirt for any period of the show? Because God I hope not. Our director wanted our Rizzo to for both the opening scene and "All Choked Up", but thank God our stage manager talked her out of it. It just would not have worked, and our Rizzo was FLIPPING out... she did NOT wanna wear that pootle skirt! haha.

P.S. I dunno if this would help either, but here's some vids of our production as well

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=42F038B655E088B0

[Laura]

A POODLE SKIRT??!!! FOR RIZZO!!!?? WHAT THE HELL??!!! There is not a chance on this EARTH that Rizzo would be caught DEAD in a poodle skirt!!!

I have two everyday costumes, pyjamas and a party dress.

My party dress is much the same as the style in the movie, pink with black lace across the chest

My everyday costume #1 involves pink pedal pushers, a white singlet and a black shirt that is tied at the front (plus my Pink Ladies jacket)

My everyday costume #2 invloved a long, black pencil skirt, a short sleeved black and white polka-dotted shirt and my Pink Ladies jacket.

*edit* My pyjamas are pink and low cut top that only just covers my bum with short bloomer thingies underneath.

I wear high-heeled shoes for both everyday costumes, and character shoes at the dance.

[The Duchess of Mint]

Dear Laura,

I think that you could look really rebellious as Rizzo. Rizzo can't be a simplistic as some of "Grease's" characters, because she must be a seemingly willing tramp, a regretful girl, and a slightly sensitive, kind, hidden person, all at the same time.

I think that her looks can reflect her very conflicted, almost tortured personality. I think that the colors of your costume pieces already reflect Rizzo's conflicted personality.

I think that Rizzo's makeup and hairstyles must also reflect her "Wear a mask!" philosophy. Perhaps her makeup could look classic, yet ever so slightly caked-on, and her lip color could be just slightly too slick, trampy, and fast, for her own good.

I think that Rizzo could change her hairstyle for each of her outfits, but I think that her hairstyle changes should be unique, and minimal. After all, it has been said that Rizzo is her own person, and that she wouldn't be caught dead wearing too stereotypically sweet an outfit.

I think that curls might match the party dress, but I also think that Rizzo's version of "The Party Hairstyle" must differ from those of the other girls. If Rizzo wears curls to a party, they are different from the curls of even her closest friends. Perhaps her curls are super tight and stiff, while her friends' curls are loose and fluffy. Perhaps she wears a headband with curls, but she lets a few straight pieces of hair fall across her forehead.

The pink, white, and black outfit sounds as though it's fun, so Rizzo's hairstyle should either be fun and flirty, or harsh, so that it either matches, or contrasts with, the style of the outfit.

Rizzo's polka-dotted outfit sounds bold, so I think that her accompanying hairstyle should be bold, and perhaps slightly teased.

I hope that you are able to create a winning look for Rizzo.

Thanks in advance for your reply.

[Beagle On Stage]

I think "Grease" is one of those shows where, even though the script doesn't make it necessary, there are certain images that should be conformed to. Some of the characters are pretty negotiable, but Danny, Sandy, and Rizzo should all look as much like the cast of the movie as possible. If I were you, I would curl my hair as tightly as I could, and pin it close to my head to acheive a similar effect to the Rizzo hairstyle we all know from the film.

My Rizzo actually had the short, curly hairstyle that Stockard Channing rocks in the movie, which she dyed from dark blonde to dark brown, and she absolutely looked the part. All of the Pink Ladies did what the director perceived to be a parody of fashionable 50's makeup - fire-engine-red lipstick, etc.

(PS...remember, guys, it's "Grease." In the words of one of my dearest mentors in theatre, "Most of what you need in theatre is the ability to bullsh!t people on a large scale. For most roles, just give me a cigarette and a glass of red wine, and I'll make it work when the lights hit me." Once you pass Theatre 201, no one is going to be collecting written psychological analyses of the characters you play.)

[Laura]

[opheliarose]

[star2ballie]

a girl i was in a show w/ had long curly hair and pinned it up...but it looks pretty 20s


pinned


reg.