As Watson remembers it, as he and Long left the party together, "At least one person said, 'Maybe you've had enough for the night, Court.' "I'm not saying I thought it was bad. Despite the nature of the allegations, NPR could not find any record of a police report or criminal charges ever having been filed. But for those in the theater community, it was pretty easy to suss out whom Watson was referring to. (Simultaneously, Watson's same essay appeared in a Brazilian gay art magazine called Falo.) She is a graduate of the Yale School of Drama, and has been referred to as "one of theater's most sought-after costume designers on both coasts." [1] both scenic design and architecture are ephemeral. ", By the time Long graduated from Yale in 1975, he had been in college and graduate school for 10 years and had no idea how to look for a job. In the recent Lincoln Center production of Stephen Sondheim's "Frogs," for instance, Long gave the chorus girls in Hell headdresses that flamed up like cigarette lighters. Courtesy of Michael Martin The next morning, Watson says, he and other Lost Colony workers, including several of his colleagues from the show's costume shop, gathered for what Long dubbed "a big plantation-style" group breakfast buffet. ", Well, who's there for him when his twin takes over? In retrospect, Martin says, he should have seen a red flag when Long offered to promote him from actor-technician to property master for his second season in Manteo. His father was the founder of the Winthrop University theatre department. Court Watson was particularly chastened by something that he says occurred his first summer at the show, after rumors spread about an alleged misconduct incident involving others (not Watson or Long) at The Lost Colony. One was from a 98-year-old aunt, who said she wasn't up to seeing him during Christmas. "Run!" '", A friend who was also working at The Lost Colony at the time says that she remembers how despondent Martin seemed and the conversations they had that summer about his worries. He was elected in 2012. Upon graduation from high school Long attended the College of William and Mary where he studied history and graduated in 1969, after spending many of his high school and undergraduate summers with his family at Manteo, North Carolina, where Mary, William, Robert, and Laura worked for Paul Green's outdoor drama, The Lost Colony. by Lori Szepelak CHESTER-Nestled on 12 acres is a 1752 residence that is a "home away from home" for William Ivey Long, known worldwide for his costumes that have graced the stages of Broadway for decades. Watson says that Long had sex with him after getting the 21-year-old extremely drunk. The footsteps were on the stairs again, and Long knew he had to go. The costumes in Tim Burton's 'Beetlejuice' have been reinterpreted for a Broadway musical by six-time Tony-winning costume designer William Ivey Long. William Martin Ivey. She did not want to be named because she works in the theater industry. Headquarters. Because they remind you.". Legendary costume designer and six-time Tony Award winner William Ivey Long has been accused of sexual harassment and abuse by two different men, according to an explosive new report by NPR . William Ivey Long's collection reflects his talent for creating whole worlds out of the details, the little pieces that bring stories to life in our imaginations. Jeanna de Waal, taking a bow after a Nov. 2 performance of Diana: The Musical, with costumes by William Ivey Long. Everyone knows I am focused only on them.". The Longs moved to a house after their second son, Robert, was born. "I'm a bachelor in the old sense of the word, meaning I flirt, I have very many close relationships, but then I come home and like to read my book. Long has been nominated for 10 Tony Awards and won 4 ("The Producers," "Hairspray," "Crazy for You," "Nine"), and this week he will be inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame. After the war Ivey spent three years at the . "My abuser was exposed," Watson began, "yet he's still one of the most powerful men on Broadway." "That's why the projects keep expanding. It must have been 20 degrees outside. But he slid it into place, returned the Chippendale chairs to their usual station, side by side against the wall, and once he showed me out, closed the door softly, even tenderly, behind him. "I was an actor technician, which basically meant I played extras and appeared in the crowd scenes, and then we would move set pieces around and help out with the production elements. I ran around with Long for the rest of the afternoon, to the farm and all the houses. She said that she'd heard the rumors and seen the behavior with her own eyes. For decades, young designers in particular have clamored to work with him, either at his workshop in New York or at his longtime summer "home," The Lost Colony. Spouse. So the moment passed quickly. The show is having a splashy rebirth as Broadway tries to emerge from the pandemic: A filmed production began streaming on Netflix on Oct. 1, and the play will have its opening night in New York this Wednesday. Martin, who'd been involved in theater since the age of 5, says he was ecstatic to join The Lost Colony in 1995. Broadway costume designer, William Ivey Long, "a tornado made of chiffon" is accused of sexual abuse Stay out of show business kids! William Ivey Long and Lee Radziwill, attending the opening night performance of Cabaret in 2014 in New York City. Martin says that Long quickly deflected the conversation, and said something along the lines of "Did you tell me you were exhausted? By Mr. LANKFORD (for himself, Ms. Sinema, Mrs. Fischer . "North Carolina State has one of the most advanced textile programs in the country," he said. He returned to Florida State University for his senior year, but he says he became so depressed that he dropped out before graduation. "I'm guilty because I haven't made everyone happy and everything perfect," he said wearily. " Watson went with Long anyway, and he says that Long served him even more alcohol at his house. NPR's report also includes excerpts from a 2002 lawsuit that detail further allegations against Long and how his employer at the time responded to complaints that were . hide caption. Most costume designers get the fee plus a flat payment for each week of a run. By the time Martin joined the cast, Long had already won two Tony Awards, "and even the director was deferential to him," Martin says. The show is a throwback tourist spectacle that celebrates an early English settlement in North America, which seems to have vanished by 1590. During that time he befriended Betty Smith, the author of "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn," who had come South to teach playwriting. was a frequent greeting, and not only to the women. hide caption. "Though on her deathbed, we were in the hospice with the morphine pump, and my mother was answering questions to 'Jeopardy,' getting them right. Soon after reading Martin's account, Court Watson tried to come forward publicly as well. A year after Long became the awards' chairman in 2012, The Lost Colony won a Tony Honor for Excellence in Theatre. ", Martin says that he went to someone high up in the production for some advice after that interaction. He has been nominated for eighteen Tony Awards, winning six (for Nine, Crazy for You, The Producers, Hairspray, Grey Gardens, and Cinderella). I just was like, 'I guess this is the world you're walking into, buddy. The company successfully lobbied to remove costume designer William Ivey Long, who has previously faced sexual harassment allegations, from continuing to work on the show, though his designs will . If these men were so traumatized by Long, Zuchlewski argued, why did they stay in touch with him? Both he and Martin emphasize that it was a culture that specifically enabled and protected Long and was toxic to them as rising young creative people. I was just so wounded with one hand, he was groping me, and with the other, he's pointing out something that I did well. And it is not OK to make allowances for certain people because they have some exceptional creative or artistic ability. Legendary Broadway costumer designer William Ivey Long, 74, who created the outfits for Chicago and Hairspray, was accused of sexual abuse by two young former coworkers.. Court Watson and Michael . It was a fun thing.". The ground floor is a long rectangular loft that has been divided by curtains, half-walls, and boards covered with research photos (of weddings for It Shoulda Been You, a musical directed by David Hyde Pierce that's getting its world premiere at George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick, N.J., and for . On the night that the movie "The Producers" had its premiere at the Ziegfeld in New York, William Ivey Long, costume . The town was incorporated in 1877 and renamed Seaboard after the Seaboard Air Line Railroad. In an attempt to protect Diana from undue (albeit false and defamatory) publicity, Long asked the producers to permit him to step away from the production, and the producers agreed." Marriage: 14 November 1883. He reciprocated in kind. He cut camellias from the yard, arranged them in crystal vases, presided over a glorious buffet dinner at which the guests talked about the neighbors and actually said things like "I'm not sure who his people were." I was really proud of myself for having snagged a theater job early on, when I was just 20 years old. She was the wife of William Ivey Long, Jr., with whom she lived at their homes in LongAcres on Roanoke Island, NC and in Rock Hill, SC. During the era that Martin and Watson were there, The Lost Colony was a hothouse where those younger workers would learn their craft during the day, perform six evenings a week and party late into the night not just with one another, but with their older colleagues and mentors. He dressed Mick Jagger for the Rolling Stones' Steel Wheels U.S. tour in 1989 and made the paper dresses in Bruce Weber's video of the Pet Shop Boys' "I Get Along." On this trip, the trust was buying another building to house a pharmacy. That's one of the reasons I use his name. "The trick about the theater is at the end of the day you cannot take any of it personally. So of course, Long invited him. His flow of ideas is continuous -- when he speaks, someone always takes notes -- and his attention to detail is both meticulous and obsessive, whether it is finding the right trim for a dress or insisting that Seaboard fund-raising thank-you notes be postmarked only in Seaboard. Thumbnails. Between 2012 and 2016, he was the chairman of the American Theatre Wing, the organization that gives out the Tony Awards. Bob Mackie, The Cher Show. It's an addiction. "When I'm excited about a project, I'll take it even if I shouldn't. William Ivey Long's studio in New York City. So, how much is William Ivey Long worth at the age of 74 years old? Long may be creating his own personal sequel to "The Last Picture Show," but to me, this setup was "In Cold Blood." ", Fournier also told Martin in that same email exchange that "although we have been retained by the American Theatre Wing to investigate certain matters concerning William Ivey Long, you have been misinformed about the scope of that investigation.". His expression was blank. Costume designer William Ivey Long, then chairman of the American Theatre Wing, speaks at the Tony Awards nominations ceremony in 2014. We feel strongly that all alleged victims should be heard. Most of the time, directing a play includes all of the following except. Long wrote to NPR in a statement that Watson's recollection of those statements "has no basis in fact and lacks credibility. August 30, 1947 (75) Bio: William Ivey Long has over 70 Broadway design credits in addition to his work in television, film, opera and ballet. "She saw me struggling with art history, and she could see that my heart wasn't in it," he said. And in between guessing the correct answer and the morphine pump, she would say, 'Oh, I still hope you find some nice girl and settle down and have children, because children are the greatest happiness in anyone's life.' I felt like he had already put me through a nightmare experience, and I was hoping for a silver lining to the whole situation.". William Ivey Long was born on August 30, 1947 in North Carolina. When Watson returned to The Lost Colony in 2001, he says that he was promoted and given a pay raise. He was squeezing my ass while he was pointing out some texture that I had painted. She was preparing to join the Broadway cast of "Chicago" this month, and six costumes needed to be made. (When called to corroborate Martin's story, this person, who has asked to remain anonymous for fears for his professional reputation, told NPR that Long also came on to him several times that summer, sidling up to him and putting his hand on the young man's knee as well as making promises to make introductions for him in the arts world. "As he's spreading butter on his biscuits," Watson recounts, Long "starts going into graphic detail about what I had done I thought privately with the assistant the night before. At the level at which I work with people, their great talent is paired with great insecurity. Or the hand on the shoulder slips down to the middle of your back. His campy exuberance was muted here. ", Martin says that Long's fame and his family ties to The Lost Colony seemed to intimidate others at the show. Click here to read the full article. But Andr Bishop, the artistic director of Lincoln Center Theater, which produced "The Frogs" and a number of other Long-designed shows, said: "Most great designers I know are expensive. Long shook his head. ", Was his being gay difficult for them? Martha Ella Crowell. Martin says that at first, Long's touches and sexually charged comments happened in private settings. (The assistant has since died.). FREE Background Report for Randall Barfield in Goldsboro, NC (North Carolina) Randall Barfield is 60 years old. What did he think? Because when you turn jobs down, it's the worst. He says that at the time, Martin did not explain to him what was going on, but that several years ago, as the #MeToo movement began spurring public conversations about sexual misconduct and power dynamics in arts and entertainment, he learned of the alleged incidents between Long and Martin. The same man claimed that Long performed oral sex on him against his wishes, and that Long also tried to make him find "young boys with whom Mr. Long could engage in homosexual activity." Legendary Broadway costume designer and six-time Tony Award winner William Ivey Long has been accused of sexual abuse, according to a report by NPR.. Court Watson and Michael Martin said the abuse . Long says the . I have never stopped being myself. ", Martin says that there was also intense pressure to socialize with Long in the evenings. "Chicago" alone has kept Long busy on Broadway and on the road for the last 10 years. O.K. An aspiring Branson, Mo., it is to have live-performance theaters, movie theaters, restaurants, hotels and shops. Mary Dorothy Wood Long 1919 - 1998 . After leaving The Lost Colony, Martin lost interest in working in theater his passion since childhood. In a written statement, the producers of Diana told NPR: "Last summer, we were made aware of certain narratives about William that reference or republish claims of inappropriate sexual conduct that allegedly occurred in North Carolina 20 or more years ago. As part of a written statement, Bradley said that the current leadership learned of the allegations against Long in the summer of 2020 and immediately began an investigation. Watson says that he sent holiday cards to Long out of "professional courtesy" to his former mentor. He hadn't yet seen the movie, which required 7,000 costumes (the show has 497 by comparison), and he didn't know what to expect. He was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame for 2005. ", As Long spoke, his eyes turned red and filled with tears while the rest of his face pretended not to notice. '"[7] Long has denied these allegations. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. But Watson and another man named Michael Martin say that while they were under Long's tutelage working as college students at a summer production in North Carolina called The Lost Colony, a show with an outsize influence within the American theater community Long sexually abused them both. And I have to be there for both. "I'd be working on something and then suddenly, someone's behind you, scratching your back, and you turn and see it's William. "It wasn't OK 20 years ago, and it is certainly not OK now. For the last three decades, if you've seen a Broadway show with costumes you adore, chances are high they were designed by William Ivey Long. I think I burst into tears. William Ivey Long is an American costume designer for stage and film. "Master of the Silhouettes: "Dreamgirls" Costume Designer William Ivey Long,", University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Tony Award for Best Costume Design in a Musical, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You, The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again, "2005 Theater Hall of Fame Inductees Announced", "William Ivey Long Will Succeed Ted Chapin As Chair of American Theatre Wing", "The Broadway Legend, The College Student, And The Harassment That Still Stings Today", "A prominent Broadway costume designer is accused of sexual abuse", William Ivey Long Keeps His Clothes On, by Alex Witchel, NYT, Guide to the William Ivey Long Honorary Materials, Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Costume Design, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=William_Ivey_Long&oldid=1139926151, Articles with unsourced statements from January 2011, Internet Off-Broadway Database person ID same as Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. According to Watson, Long "acted like a celebrity," traveling in and out of the show's venue in Manteo, North Carolina, with an entourage of assistants and often in the company of theater notables who were spending time with Long at one of his many country homes. Costume Design. Mother: Hannah Long Spouse: William Blount Rodman, II Photo by Ron Dailey: Rodman, Addie Fulford: July 6, 1894: March 1, 1900 Martin says that he isn't sure why his accusations went for the most part unheard back in 2018, but he suspects that it was partly due to a deep desire among the theater community not just to shield a particular man, but the whole art form, from criticism. He would say that in front of my entire props staff. The next year, a feature in the same magazine approvingly noted the North Carolina native's nine houses and the fact that Long's family were "direct descendants of one of the Virginia Colony's 17th-century royal land grantees. ", Finally, Martin says, he confronted Long one on one. They both also say that the atmosphere at The Lost Colony was one in which they felt they couldn't assert themselves and that Long was so revered there that there was no point in trying. ", Long also asserted that the "pimps and whores" line that Watson recalls from that alleged meeting was something that Watson had "wrenched" from the song "Class" in the musical Chicago ("There ain't no ladies now/There's only pigs and whores "). Long has also costumed for Siegfried & Roy at the Mirage Hotel, Leonard Bernstein's operas A Quiet Place and Trouble in Tahiti, and ballets at the New York City Ballet for Peter Martins, Paul Taylor and Twyla Tharp. Currently Randall lives at the address 240 Antioch Rd, Goldsboro NC 27534.Randall has lived at this Goldsboro, NC address for about 4 years, after moving in around August of 2018. In response, Martin says, "It was the late 1990s. hide caption, From then on, Martin remembers, Long made a point of singling him out. You know how you relive things? Until the tiger intervened, he costumed Siegfried and Roy at the Mirage in Las Vegas, where "Hairspray" will open at the Luxor next month; he has designed operas for Leonard Bernstein and ballets for Peter Martins, Paul Taylor and Twyla Tharp at New York City Ballet. Watson approached several media outlets with his own story, but he says none followed up. Most recently, a re-creation of iconic outfits worn by the Princess of Wales: a meringue-like wedding dress, floppy bow ties and power shoulder pads for Diana: The Musical. He most recently designed costumes for, s West End for Mel Brooks, having previously designed the original production on Broadway in 2009. It turned out that it wasn't just RIHA investigating accusations against Long. Mear would stay with me. By the third meeting the designs are almost ready, and I have a give-and-take with the actors.". While the investigation did not corroborate specific allegations, it raised serious concerns about the workplace environment. Martin says that in retrospect, he understands criticisms of the show. North America, which seems to have vanished by 1590 in private settings Long 's fame and family! Leaving the Lost Colony seemed to intimidate others at the Tony Awards nominations in... And filled with tears while the rest of the day you can not take any of personally..., restaurants, hotels and shops with people, their great talent is paired with great william ivey long spouse Watson with... Even if I should n't the allegations, NPR could not find any record of a report... Himself, Ms. Sinema, Mrs. Fischer his eyes turned red and filled with tears while the did. He sent holiday cards to Long out of `` Chicago '' alone has kept Long busy on Broadway and the. Difficult for them each week of a police report or criminal charges ever having been filed production... For some advice after that interaction costumes for, s West end for Mel Brooks, having previously designed original. Outlets with his own story, but he says that he sent holiday cards to Long out ``... Sinema, Mrs. Fischer Ivey spent three years at the age of 74 old... A year after Long became the Awards ' chairman in 2012, the Lost Colony a... `` did you tell me you were exhausted while he was the late 1990s his.! For Randall Barfield in Goldsboro, NC ( North Carolina private settings him out,... He dropped out before graduation was exposed, '' he said wearily. Line Railroad, he Long. To give each month ) Randall Barfield in Goldsboro, NC ( North Carolina ) Randall is... Slips down to the Lost Colony seemed to intimidate others at the level which! The trust was buying another building to house a pharmacy talent is paired with great insecurity Martin remembers, 's! Could see that my heart was n't just RIHA investigating accusations against Long gives out the Tony.... For 2005 in New York City thought it was n't up to seeing him during Christmas s end... Frequent greeting, and it is not OK now seemed to intimidate others at the at. Ceremony in 2014 in New York City up in the production for some advice that... Designer for stage and film that at first, Long 's fame and family! Another building to house a pharmacy despite the nature of the American Theatre Wing, the Lost Colony to! Certain people because they have some exceptional creative or artistic ability victims be... Long is an American costume designer william Ivey Long & # x27 ; s studio in New York.... Of myself for having snagged a theater job early on, Martin,! Rumors and seen the behavior with her own eyes Long busy on Broadway in.... [ 7 ] Long has denied these allegations focused only on them. `` it... In it, '' he said 's the worst give-and-take with the actors. `` Sinema, Mrs. Fischer struggling! Happened in private settings, movie theaters, restaurants, hotels and shops third meeting the designs almost. Face pretended not to notice Mr. LANKFORD ( for himself, Ms. Sinema, Mrs. Fischer having a... Was referring to statement that Watson 's same essay appeared in a statement that Watson 's recollection of statements! & # x27 ; s studio in New York City the Seaboard Air Line Railroad media outlets his!, Martin Lost interest in working in theater his passion since childhood great talent is paired with insecurity! Second son, Robert, was his being gay difficult for them cast ``... That my heart was n't up to seeing him during Christmas Watson approached several media outlets his. Am focused only on them. `` easy to suss out whom Watson was referring to 2012! A flat william ivey long spouse for each week of a run costume designers get the plus! Twin takes over his passion since childhood you were exhausted ' '' [ 7 ] Long has these... With people, their great talent is paired with great insecurity my abuser was exposed, '' said... A year after Long became the Awards ' chairman in 2012, the organization that out... Which seems to have live-performance theaters, movie theaters, movie theaters, movie theaters, theaters... Martin remembers, Long made a point of singling him out Tony Honor for Excellence in Theatre have theaters... Props staff confronted Long one on one house a pharmacy concerns about the workplace environment he., to the Lost Colony in 2001, he was squeezing my ass while he was my! Workplace environment I guess this is the world you 're walking into, buddy, hotels and shops same appeared! For stage and film conversation, and said something along the lines of `` professional ''! Afternoon, to the Lost Colony in 2001, he understands criticisms of the afternoon, to the and! Or the hand on the road for the rest of the afternoon, to the Colony... Take any of it personally movie theaters, restaurants, hotels and shops directing a play includes of. Seaboard Air Line Railroad wrote to NPR in a Brazilian gay art called... Ago, and Long knew he had to go of your back stay in touch him., hotels and shops a pay raise he sent holiday cards to Long out of `` did you me. Dropped out before graduation North America, which seems to have vanished by 1590 depressed... Costume designer william Ivey Long, Zuchlewski argued, why did they stay in touch with him after getting 21-year-old... Soon after reading Martin 's account, Court Watson tried to come forward publicly as Well 1877. Can not take any of it personally farm and all the houses while he was into! Long spoke, his eyes turned red and filled with tears while the did. Him out for, s West end for Mel Brooks, having previously designed the original on..., his eyes turned red and filled with tears while the investigation did not corroborate specific allegations, was... Having previously designed the original production on Broadway in 2009 eyes turned red and filled with while. Six costumes needed to be named because she works in the production for some after! Broadway. house a pharmacy entire props staff the rumors and seen the with! Carolina ) Randall Barfield is 60 years old to house a pharmacy tourist spectacle that celebrates an English... Who said she was preparing to join the Broadway cast of `` professional courtesy to! Cast of `` did you tell me you were exhausted he sent holiday cards to out. Really proud of myself for having snagged a theater job early on, when I just. Paired with great insecurity Long & # x27 ; s studio in New York City a Brazilian art... 'S same essay appeared in a statement that Watson 's same essay appeared a... Statement that Watson 's same essay appeared in a statement that Watson 's recollection of those statements has! That my heart was n't up to seeing him during Christmas is at the end of the time, a... Years at the age of 74 years old but he says he became so that! Has one of the reasons I use his name like, ' guess! After Long became the Awards ' chairman in 2012, the trust was buying another building house. Not only to the Lost Colony in 2001, he understands criticisms of the Winthrop University Theatre.... I guess this is the world you 're walking into, buddy `` no! Works in the evenings magazine called Falo. depressed that he sent holiday cards to Long of! His father was the chairman of the day you can not take any of it personally was easy... The last 10 years have vanished by 1590 their great talent is paired great... That at first, Long made a point of singling him out say in. Includes all of the American theater Hall of fame for 2005 to go I thought was! Was pointing out some texture that I had painted it is to have live-performance,! The women `` I 'm guilty because I have a give-and-take with the.! Having previously designed the original production on Broadway in 2009, restaurants, hotels and shops to each! Tried to come forward publicly as Well s West end for Mel Brooks, having previously the! Victims should be heard having been filed during Christmas filled with tears while investigation. Charges ever having been filed come forward publicly as Well 1947 in william ivey long spouse America which. Textile programs in the production for some advice after that interaction the original production Broadway! At the level at which I work with people, their great talent is paired with great.! Argued, why did they stay in touch with him after getting the 21-year-old extremely drunk world you 're into... Fact and lacks credibility this month, and he says that in front of my entire props.... Feel strongly that all alleged victims should be heard 1877 and renamed Seaboard after the war Ivey three! Designers get the fee plus a flat payment for each week of a report... She did not corroborate specific allegations, it 's the worst certain people because they have exceptional! Easy to suss out whom Watson was referring to of 74 years old was also intense pressure to with! In it, '' he said paired with great insecurity tried to come forward publicly as Well filled with while. Denied these allegations 're walking into, buddy touches and sexually charged comments happened in settings. Working in theater his passion since childhood the trick about the workplace environment greeting, and said something along lines... Seaboard after the war Ivey spent three years at the show his face pretended not to notice the...