A WHIRLWIND CAMPAIGN that likely tapped every possible resource, twisted an arm or two, and whipped together a network of supporters from every corner has given "The Lost Colony" a new costume shop in an impressive 233 days.

With actor Andy Griffith, the outdoor drama's most famous alumnus, holding a pair of huge scissors, the ribbon was cut Wednesday at the entrance to the two-story building that replaces the shop that burned to the ground in September.

Griffith and his wife, Cindi, stayed for a few minutes at the reception inside the roomy shop, greeting veterans of the show with his familiar 100-watt smile.

"I'm proud to be here for the reopening of the costume shop," he said. "It's open - it's ready."

But it will never be like it once was.

William Ivey Long, the show's production designer, said more than 5,000 costumes were destroyed in the fire, including the historic collection made by Irene Smart Rains, the show's original costumer and the building's namesake.

Long, a five-time Tony Award-winning Broadway costume

designer, remembers the costume shop as a young child, "playing in the scraps" while his parents worked in the production.

He said he has been associated with "The Lost Colony" for

38 seasons.

"Believe me, Irene is the fountainhead of all things," Long said to the crowd.

With Long pulling strings, calling in favors and temporarily clearing his slate, he has managed to get a good part of the show's 1,010 costume "looks" remade.

"We're not at the finishing point yet," he said. "I have to always put on a disclaimer; otherwise, we're tempting the gods."

Two completed women's costumes made locally by costumer Joan Brumbach and 10 stitchers in the shop showed off the intricate work involved in creating the pieces.

More costumes will be delivered in waves starting Monday, Long said.

He will be in and out much of the summer - in between working on five musicals - to teach people how to maintain the clothing.

Upstairs, rows and rows of clothes hung from racks. On the side of the room, boxes of shoes and accessories filled shelves. Photographs illustrating behind-the-scenes looks at the production lined the walls.

More than $1.7 million has been raised, including the funds for the building, said the show's executive director and producer, Carl Curnutte. Losses from the fire totaled $2.7 million. The 6,000-square-foot building, paid for by the National Park Service - which owns Waterside Theatre, the show's venue - cost about $600,000.

Curnutte said he is determined to have everything in order by opening night May 30.

"We're going to be ready," he said. "No matter what it takes."

Catherine Kozak, (252) 441-1711, cate.kozak@pilotonline.com