Published on March 22, 2024, 12:06 am
Mark Morris’s new production, “The Look of Love,” at BAM is a captivating blend of Burt Bacharach and Hal David’s iconic music. The show’s costumes, designed by Isaac Mizrahi, perfectly embody the choreographer’s vibrant tribute to music. This collaboration between long-time friends showcases Mizrahi’s talent in capturing the essence of Morris’s choreography.
Their partnership dates back to the early ’90s when Mizrahi was asked to design costumes for Morris’s ballets. Over the years, Mizrahi has contributed his creative vision to more than 20 of Morris’s productions, creating a seamless blend of music and visuals on stage.
Mizrahi revealed that his design process with Morris is an open-ended conversation where he aims to bring out the colors and themes of the music through his costumes. One interesting tidbit is how working with Morris helped Mizrahi discover his synesthesia—a unique ability to visualize music as colors.
For “The Look of Love,” Mizrahi initially toyed with black-and-white geometric tunics but eventually settled on a rich palette featuring shades of magenta, green, yellow, red, lavender, and orange. These colors were carefully chosen to harmonize with the musical elements driving the show.
A standout feature in this production is a set of folding chairs that not only serve as props but also mirror Mizrahi’s color scheme for the costumes. His attention to detail even extended to painting these chairs in vibrant hues, adding an unexpected visual delight for the audience.
Ultimately, their collaboration culminates in a performance reminiscent of watching Fred Astaire—an effortless display of beauty and harmony on stage. If you’re looking for an evening filled with music, dance, and exquisite visual storytelling, be sure to catch “The Look of Love” at BAM before it wraps up on Saturday, March 23.