Prolific Costume Designer Martin Pakledinaz Dies at 58

Pakledinaz won Tony Awards in 2000 for the revival of Kiss Me, Kate and in 2002 for Thoroughly Modern Millie. Most recently he worked on the revival of Cole Porter's Anything Goes and was nominated for a Tony this year for his work on the Gershwin musical, Nice Work If You Can Get It, that starred Kelli O'Hara and Matthew Broderick.
Other shows for which he was nominated include the 2008 Gypsy revival starring Patti LuPone; Blithe Spirit in 2009, with Rupert Everett and Angela Lansbury.

Sutton Foster, who won Tony Awards for the two productions on which Pakledinaz collaborated commented on his passing. "Marty is a master," Foster said. "He is the epitome of class and taste. He designed and created the costumes I wore in Millie and Anything Goes and my characters were defined from the fabric, the seams, the details of his work, his eye. I feel honored to know him, to love him, to call him a friend and collaborator and to be graced by his talent."

Pakledinaz worked in both classical ballet and modern dance as well, and he had a long collaboration with choreographer Mark Morris and his company. He created costumes for many popular works, including The Hard Nut.

Patti LuPone, who starred in the 2008 revival of Gypsy, said of Pakledinaz: "Marty was involved not just with fabric and silhouette but with each character he costumed. He informed my characterization without realizing it, I think...I am grateful for my brief but deep experience with Marty. He's gone from our world too soon. Broadway is less talented."