Put on your play clothes

Think your closet is full? Trust me, you’ve got nothing on the Penobscot Theatre Company. Even if you wanted to sit on the balcony at the Bangor Opera House, you couldn’t because there’s simply no room. The seats are long gone. In their place sit five full rows covered with boxes of shoes. Racks of fur coats have a great view of center stage, while hats take up the nosebleed section.

Beyond a wall, in a dimly lit room high above Main Street, clothing racks span the width of the building, save for a narrow passageway on either side. Coats and suits vie for space with polyester dresses and a pair of red lederhosen that could double as hot pants.

“I go through this stuff and say, ‘Wow, look at that,’ then three minutes later, I say, ‘Wow, look at THAT,'” said Willow Martin, who has spent the last several months preparing for PTC’s annual costume sale.

But this year, there’s a twist: The sale, which is usually a one-day affair, began yesterday and will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today and Sunday; from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 23, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 24 and 25.

It has moved to the Bennett Gallery at 34 Central St., across from Bagel Central.

“It will be more like a retail environment, because it’s in a storefront on Central Street,” Martin said. “When they’ve done it for one day, it’s been successful, but it’s only one day. How much can you get rid of in one day?”

If the racks at the opera house are any indication, not much. There are thousands of items, and everything is packed so tightly it’s hard to tell what’s what, but it’s obvious that there are gems hidden in this treasure trove. Like the Jackie O.-inspired red wool boucle coat. And the intricately beaded, pristine wedding gown. Or the authentic leather biker jacket that’s worn just enough to look cool, not ratty.

There’s enough polyester to clothe the entire crowd at a Motor Booty Affair show. There are also loads of costume possibilities, whether you’re in the market for a blood-stained pleather vest, a Victorian waistcoat or an 1980s style prom gown with puffy sleeves, pink lame and frothy white lace. The 1950s are represented in classic style – whoever snags the powder blue cocktail dress, in lace and tulle, is one lucky gal.

The sale will be a vintage-lover’s paradise. With very few exceptions, everything will sell for less than $20 – most for much less than that.

And it will never be the same place twice because Martin and PTC volunteers will replenish the stock daily.

“People who come in on Friday of the first week could come back Sunday of the last week and it’d all be new stuff,”

Shopaholics beware: After a few trips to this sale, your closet might just give PTC’s costume shop a run for its money. Not that that’s a bad thing.

ShopGirl would love to hear from you! Send questions, comments or suggestions by e-mail to: kandresen@bangordailynews.net, by U.S. mail to Kristen Andresen, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329, or by fax to 941-9476. For exclusive online shopping tips, click on the ShopBlog icon on the bottom of the BDN homepage: bangordailynews.com.