Halloween Costume Special! Starcatcher's Matthew Saldivar on How to Morph into ‘Dangerous, Sexy’ Black Stache

If you've already defied gravity on Halloween as Elphaba or spooned out sugary medicine as Mary Poppins, it's time to consider a new Broadway-themed costume! This year, Broadway.com decided to go straight to the stars of some of your favorite shows for detailed guidance in creating the eye-catching outfits they made famous on stage eight times a week. First up, Matthew Saldivar explains exactly what’s needed to become the dastardly pirate Black Stache from Peter and the Starcatcher. (Not surprisingly, it’s all about the facial hair.)

Why would Black Stache make a good Halloween costume?
1. It’s cheap.
2. It’s classic.
3. It’s dangerous.
4. It’s sexy.
5. It’s androgynous.
6. It’s romantic.
7. It’s a candy-attracting machine.

Please list three essential elements to create the costume and tell us why each of the three things is important.
First of all, you need to create your black stache. You can do this by styling your own facial hair with great indulgence, daring and pride; by haphazardly applying someone else’s hair to your face; or simply by painting a signature mustache above your lip with eyeliner. Now, don’t put that eyeliner down: Nothing makes a pirate feel more exotic than eyeliner. You must make your eyes stand out so they can be seen as soon as you come over the horizon. It is the sign that a pirate has traveled far and wide and wears his mojo as acquired plumage. Earrings are similar, and make great accessories. Rings are good. Boots. Bangles. Buckles. Belts. Foreign military jackets. Don't be afraid to add a bird or monkey. But if you have nothing else, all it takes is the black stache to make you Black Stache.

What’s the key behavior or attitude needed to be believable as Black Stache?
You must believe that the world is your oyster. Believe in yourself!

What was your favorite Halloween costume as a child?
A black-and-white wool traje de charro from Mexico. It's a traditional horseman's outfit made popular by mariachi musicians and folkloric dancers. I had one cut for a five year old: short jacket, vest, ruffled shirt, boots, flared paints, embroidery and a big, beautiful sombrero. I scored a lot of candy that year.

What’s your best or worst Halloween memory?
My worst Halloween memory is staring at an apple at the bottom of my pillowcase and imaging all the razor blades in it.

What will your costume be this year?
I'm thinking about being a man struck by lightning. My grandfather Manuel Saldívar Carrillo was struck by lighting three times. He was born in 1899 and lived to be 93.