I saw this girl on TLC who'd be a great Tracy. She can't really get out of her bed but she'd be really wonderful.
I'm not even sure Hairspray works if divorced from John Waters.
When John Waters was on Theater Talk back in 2008 for Cry-Baby, he said that he feels the goal for any adaptation is to be re-inventive.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
I hate when people change history for shows.
Leading Actor Joined: 10/24/09
Tracy Turnblad - Ryann Redmond
Edna Turnblad - Nathan Lane
Wilbur Turnblad - Martin Short
Link Larkin - Andrew Call
Motormouth Maybelle - Darlene Love
Seaweed J. Stubbs - Ne-Yo
Velma von Tussle - Patti Lupone
Amber von Tussle - Julianne Hough
Penny Pingleton - Emmy Rossum
Corney Collins - Neal Patrick Harris
Prudy Pingleton/Gym Teacher/Warden - Jackie Hoffman
Updated On: 1/13/16 at 07:24 PM
Edna - Ben Stiller
Wilbur - Matthew Broderick
Velma - Sarah Jessica Parker
Corny - Neil Patrick Harris
Next up ... Dreamgirls Live!
I was actually thinking of Nathan for Edna and Broderick as Wibur. They bring the audience for Broadway, so it might help with tv as well. Plus they both have histories with the producers and Shaiman/Whitman.
Leading Actor Joined: 9/16/13
How about Ginger Minj from Ru Paul's Drag Race as Edna?
While I'm totally in favour of casting an entire new ensemble I WOULD like to see Allison Janney reprise her role for the TV production. The role she played has so much more to give in the stage show and she was whittled down to virtually nothing in the movie.
In saying that, it's no great loss if none of the movie actors come back.
Ryann Redman for Tracey I can get onboard with. She's basically an unknown to most of America and she's already played the role to great acclaim.
Matthew Broderick as Wilbur ???? Why would you want them to hire that EXTREMELY UNTALENTED dead stick for anything?
Leading Actor Joined: 9/16/13
Ginger has performed Hairspray before also, I think she could bring in Ru Paul fans. Although admittedly many of them probably already watch the NBC musical...
Updated On: 1/13/16 at 08:30 PM
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/16/06
I wonder since Warner Bros owns the stage and film rights to Hairspray through New Line Cinema if they'll be involved in the TV version? Paramount are involved with Fox with Grease Live so i wouldn't be surprised if WBTV end up being a co-producer.
I'm all about Ariana Grande as Penny!
I actually think the idea of Ben Stiller as Edna is inspired.
Someone who has consistently proven he could do whatever comedy they throw at him (except for that unspeakable ROCK OF AGES travesty which not even Ingrid Bergman or Laurence Olivier could have saved) is Alec Baldwin. He seems to be more or less done with acting and I can't imagine him wanting to take a chance on this, but I'd love to see him do it and he has a long history with NBC. Jennifer Hudson, Jane Krakowski, and Matthew Broderick to round out the cast of adults would make me happy.
God damn it, someone beat me to the Ginger Minj punch.
One thing I've always wanted to see is Jessica Lange as Velma, which is highly unlikely.
I'm sure she's too old for it, but Christine Baranski as Velma would just be...everything.
Ginger Minj would kill as Edna Turnblad or Ursula.
Tracy: Ryann Redmond
Edna: Harvey Fierstein
Penny: Ariana Grande
Amber: Annaleigh Ashford
Velma: Christine Ebersole
Corny: Neil Patrick Harris
Link: I can't think of anyone. Anybody but Darren Criss.
Love the idea of Annaleigh being a part of this.
I would never ever ever ever cast anyone based on any of your suggestions ---- bar Harvey Fieretein...
Link: I can't think of anyone. Anybody but Darren Criss.
Ansel Elgort?
Jonathan Groff?
Grant Gustin?
Jeremy Jordan?
I love how hype everybody is for this. This will be excellent.
Ansel is a no for me. Can he sing? Jonathan might be too old, same with Jeremy. Although they'd both be astonishing. But I didn't even think of Grant Gustin. He'd be perfect. Great thinking.
Carlos, I literally do not care. All of my suggestions, excluding Ashford and Ebersole, were said way before me. You must stop replying to my posts as if I'm asking for your approval. I'm not.
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