Be a superfan of the stage

Once Badgers football kicks off in Madison, one only need note the amount of face paint on an individual to determine his or her level of fandom. But if color-coding your face and wearing ridiculous costumes carries with it a little bit of insanity, it also displays the utmost devotion. With theater season upon us, it's time for stage enthusiasts to shower their favorite troupes and plays with admiration—so why not get buzzed and wear crazy get-ups just like those Badgers fans do? To help you prepare, The A.V. Club took a trip to Mallatt Pharmacy & Costume (3506 Monroe St., 238-3106) to find the over-the-top attire and theme-friendly booze that will help laid-back theatergoers finally cross the line into superfandom as they sit in dignified silence.

King Henry V (American Players Theatre, through Oct. 2)
Synopsis: The fourth installment in a tetralogy, King Henry V follows the titular character through pivotal moments in the Hundred Years' War. For those who missed the first three plays, this will ideally be an easy-to-follow sequel, like Major League 3: Back To The Minors.
Gear up: Check out the Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn costumes for rent. The $50 price tag is a little steep, but with all that velvety plumage, you'll be sure to stand out at APT as the real (if historically inaccurate) king or queen of theater nuts.
Drink up: Stick with the King theme and try one of the signature Elvis Presley wines from Graceland Cellars. Pour some Blue Suede Chardonnay into your finest goblet and you'll be ready to rock, my lord.

An Adult Evening Of Shel Silverstein (The Bricks Theatre at The Frequency, Oct. 14-17)
Synopsis: The Bricks Theatre’s production is a far cry from Silverstein's more famous children's literature: An Adult Evening Of Shel Silverstein promises a night of six one-act plays featuring blind musicians and dead ponies.
Gear up: Adult evening or not, The Giving Tree is still the Silverstein book we all know and love. Mallatt is without a tree costume, but luckily nature is chock full of the raw materials. Tie some branches to your arms and hand out apples to people, or just dress up like a little kid and be a total mooch all night.
Drink up: The Wishing Tree shiraz, anyone? It's like it was meant to be.

Grease (Overture Center, Dec. 8-13)
Synopsis: Grease is the sweet/nauseating '50s musical that's been sock-hopping into the hearts of rabid followers for decades. But even the most familiar fans probably have yet to see it with the poor man’s Michael McDonald, Taylor Hicks, who'll undoubtedly draw out some of his Soul Patrol legions as he takes the stage as the Teen Angel.
Gear up: The Fifties Cruisin' jacket and the poodle skirt are both available to rent for $35, and both are perfect for getting your Danny and Sandy on. Pile your oily pompadour high and roll.
Drink up: Glory Days cabernet sauvignon is perfect for reliving, uh, your glory days. It's also good for drinking.

Man Of La Mancha (Strollers Theatre at Bartell Theatre, April 8-May 1, 2010)
Synopsis: The classic play within a musical, Man Of La Mancha is the story of Spanish Inquisition prisoner Cervantes, who performs the story of Don Quixote to gain the trust and respect of his fellow prisoners. Strollers Theatre’s production is like Oz without all the male nudity.
Gear up: Alas, finding a conquistador costume at Mallatt proved to be a quixotic quest, but you can still rent a pretty cool knight costume for $45. You won't exactly be a conquistador, but then again, neither was Cervantes.
Drink up: Windmill old-vine zinfandel seems like the logical choice. Just don't let it kick your ass like it did Quixote's.

Poona The Fuck Dog And Other Plays For Children (Mercury Players Theatre at MercLab, May 28-June 12, 2010)
Synopsis: In case you were wondering, these aren't really plays for children. Featuring God answering questions for money, and Poona The Fuck Dog looking for someone to "play in her big pink box," this Mercury production promises to offend on several levels.
Gear up: Seemingly a collection of random things, Poona does apparently feature space invaders, so you might as well rent Mallatt's alien costume for $45. Plus, the lumpy green-headed mask is hilarious and the tinfoil-looking robe is, well, shiny.
Drink up: For a play featuring something called a "fairy god penis," the Rex Goliath 47-Pound Rooster merlot (which features a pretty big cock on the label) seems appropriate.