Following a career laden with accomplishment, Akron-born artist Paul Tazewell has once again received accolades for his dedication and talent in costume designing. His latest triumph occurred on the evening of June 8, when he accepted the Tony Award for Best Costume Design of a Musical. This recognition was given for the humor-filled musical, ‘Death Becomes Her’, a stage adaptation of the beloved 1992 movie which originally starred industry icons like Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn, and Bruce Willis.
‘Death Becomes Her’ has been a delightful comedic presence on Broadway ever since November 2024, staged at the well-renowned Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. The musical touts a star-studded cast, including Megan Hilty, Jennifer Simard, Christopher Sieber, and Michelle Williams, who many recall fondly as a member of the hit band, Destiny’s Child. The show itself was among the nominees for an astonishing number of Tony Awards on this very evening.
Adding to the grandeur of the event, Tazewell, clutching his recently won Tony, was buzzing with delight on the red carpet. He expressed, ‘This award represents an extraordinary culmination of a fantastic year’. The award-winning designer could not contain his appreciation and joy at having been given such incredible opportunities to express his creativity.
Tazewell poignantly continued, ‘It wasn’t for the pursuit of a Tony that I designed the costumes for ‘Death Becomes Her’. Rather, it was the sheer pleasure of storytelling and creating a wonderful, magical world that would echo the essence of the original film while offering something new that drove my work. The recognition my work has received is heartwarming and thrilling, to say the least.
In the run for the 2025 Tonys, Tazewell faced an impressive lineup of fellow costume designers. Competing alongside him were Clint Ramos with ‘Maybe Happy Ending’, Gregg Barnes via ‘BOOP! The Betty Boop Musical’, Dede Ayite contributing ‘Buena Vista Social Club’, and Catherine Zuber presenting ‘Just in Time’.
However, Tazewell’s triumph at the Tonys isn’t a unique occurrence. The artist and Buchtel graduate previously won a Tony in 2016 for his work in ‘Hamilton’, a year that also saw him claim an Emmy Award for his contributions to ‘The Wiz Live!’ broadcast on NBC.
Earlier in the year, Tazewell had achieved another momentous milestone when he received his first Oscar for costume design. His innovative and captivating costumes for the universally admired film ‘Wicked’ cemented his name in the annals of cinematic history.
For over a year, or more precisely one and a half years, Tazewell labored meticulously on the costumes for ‘Wicked’, a film that cleverly showcased Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and popular artist Ariana Grande as Glinda. His commitment and passion took him across the globe, with a significant portion of his work taking place on sets located around London.
The film ‘Wicked’ enjoyed wide recognition in the form of 10 Oscar nominations. The movie’s success was balanced by Tazewell’s personal victory that catapulted him into a unique position in the Hollywood realm.
Upon accepting his award, the talented designer strived not only to celebrate his own individual accomplishment but also used the platform to emphasize his unique role as the first Black man to achieve victory in the costume design category. This fact was not lost on the audience, who returned his acknowledgment with an enthusiastic standing ovation.
During this emotional moment, Tazewell, holding his cherished Oscar trophy aloft, shared his joy and gratitude with the attendees, stating fervently, ‘This is everything’. The heartfelt expression of appreciation capped off the cascading wave of achievements the artist has gathered over years.