The Makeup For The Foot Lights

If timing is everything then deciding to produce Theatrical Makeup in New York City in 1927 was perfect timing. Living just off Broadway, Mehron Melik was in the heart of the birth of the Broadway Theater District that was rising around Times Square. Although New York Theater traces its roots back to 1750 with the establishment of a 280 seat Theater on Nassau Street at the Seaport in lower Manhattan, the creation of a Theater District began in earnest in the early 1900's culminating with the establishment of the grand theaters around Times Square. As Mehron Melik began producing Theatrical Makeup for the New York City Performers in live shows from The Seaport to Herald Square, The Times Square Theater District, what is now referred to as The Broadway Theater District, was about to reach a milestone that would change the face of the Broadway Musical.

On December 27, 1927 at the Ziegfeld Theater, Show Boat, the first musical to completely integrate plot, theme, dialogue and songs to tell the story opened. Based on the 1926 novel Show Boat by Edna Ferber, with Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II providing the music, Show Boat produced by the most extravagant showman of the era, Florenz Ziegfeld opened to the astonished audiences of the time. Known for his Follies and Revues, Mr. Ziegfeld sparred no expense in providing the show with elaborate sets, costumes and makeup. Although originally intended as the opening show for his new Broadway Palace scheduled to open on February 2, 1927 on Sixth Ave and 54th Street at the upper end of the new Broadway Theater District, it was delayed until December. Kern and Hammerstein were not able to polish Show Boat in time to meet the deadline of the opening of the Ziegfeld Theater, the opening show was Rio Rita, which proved to be a hit. The grandiose sets of Show Boat were planned for the new theater but closing a hit was just not done, the Broadway opening of Show Boat was delayed until a new venue for Rio Rita was found.

With Musicals like Show Boat requiring large casts, Theatrical Makeup was in demand. It was men like Mehron Melik who handmade, delivered and demonstrated Theatrical Makeup to the cast members. Performers soon learned the Makeup that was easy to use, lasted without running, did not dry and crack, was the best Theatrical Makeup to use, Mehron Makeup was soon in demand during the late 1920's in the back stage areas of the grand theaters of the day. The demand for Makeup caused by the large casts of so many shows spawned Makeup Companies by the dozens, few survived even till the next decade, Mehron Makeup is the same continuously running Theatrical Makeup Company that catered to the casts of Musicals from the opening of Show Boat.

Now encompassing a Line of Specialized Makeup for Theaters, Clowns, Film, Face Painting, Body Painting, Character Makeup, Special Effects Makeup, Beauty Makeup, Fashion Makeup, and Halloween Makeup, Mehron Makeup traces its foundation to the roots of Broadway. Continuing to produce makeup in the USA, free from animal testing Mehron Makeup is seen on stages around the world from Australia to Zimbabwe. From the Foot Lights of Broadway to the lights of your Makeup Mirror, Mehron Makeup has survived the test of time for over eight decades, and timing is everything.