A New Edna!!! — Page 3

"Al Dente",

I was trying to speak to you as a human being, not just about theatre.

But you are right, "an actor doing his best" was a lousy choice of words, I was TRYING not to be OVERLY jingoistic

how about this:

When I saw HAIRSPRAY with Bruce I was moved and overwhelmed at the fact of how well HAIRSPRAY works without our Harvey. It was perhaps as great a thrill as when we first opened in New York. And as he hit his stride, I am THRILLED with Bruce's fantastic, hysterical and caring portrayal of EDNA TURNBLAD. The Neil Simon Theatre would be lucky to have him but so is the rest of the country.

If you don't see my point about the choice of words to describe another human being when writing in a public forum, there's nothing I can say or do about your ill-spirited postings and what they might say about you.

And I didn't quite catch your name...

Updated On: 1/29/04 at 02:35 PM

Michael McKean is inspired casting. He's a better actor and a better comedian and a better singer than both Harvey and Bruce put together(and yes I do think Harvey and Bruce are very talented so that shows you how large McKean's talent is). I expect he will be pretty amazing.

Updated On: 1/28/04 at 05:02 PM

I loved Rosie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for making me laugh with that one.

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I really enjoyed Bruce in the role.
To tell you the truth I didn't know/couldn't imagine if Edna's scenes would be as great with someone else, because Harvey has really made her his.

I have a mental block when it comes to fantasy casting replacements for this show. I can't imagine how difficult it must be to cast. Especially since a good financial decision seems to require a "name".

Bravo to all the fine decisions made thus far.

I hate to speculate, because casting is so shaky... speculation often leads to disappointment. If Christopher Guest shoots another script in Mr. McKean's direction, what's to become of this if a contract isn't already signed.

PS- I really am psyched that Marc Shaiman might actually read these words. I don't want to get gushy, but I really love everything he does. The films (Down W/Love soundtrack is fab, and the South Park s-track is just too cool) and I don't even need to say how fantastic Hairspray is. You and Scott are just too wonderful!

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Updated On: 1/28/04 at 10:39 PM

Whatever happened to Stanley Brojowski?

He was terrific in WHEN PIGS FLY, and he might make an excellent Edna.

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Who is Michael Mc Kean? I've never heard of him. Stanley Brojowski gets my vote so far!

Updated On: 1/29/04 at 08:13 AM

Hey Mr Marc (and others – Hi)

I’m the Deputy Editor of Attitude magazine which is the Uks biggest gay magazine – gets sold in some places in the US as well.

I saw Hairspray in December in NYC for the first time and my God I loved it. It was the happiest thing Ive ever seen and made me cry several times because it was just so much fun, so joyous, it reminded me why any of us get into this business in the first place. Anywhoo, Im writing to ask a couple of things –
1. Is it going to come to London and when? It must!!!!!
2. If you persoanlly come to London at some point after May, you must check out this new musical playing at the Duchess theatre from May called When Harry Met Barry. I’ve seen a workshop and its fabulous, you’d love it. New writer Paul Emelion the writer has a simliar style to your own and he/it Im sure will be massive.
3. If you have any upcoming projects in the Uk do let me know as Id love to interview you. Pretty please.

I’m also a stand up comedian, actor and had a comedy called Blowing Whistles about the screwed up London gay scene and gay pride. It sold out its run in london last summer and were trying to get it on in the West End this year. Come and see that too!

Also, if it does come to London then please bring Harvey! Im not a purist and Id love to see others in the role but Harvey is such a legend and it would be perfect to see him in it here.

And also, to Al Dente – I feel sorry for you cos were all gunning at you, but I think what Marc means is just be nice. You’re welcome to your opinion but the world is a better place if we treat each other the way we would like to be treated and verbalise it with a bit of compassion and humanity. I was gutted by the unkind comments from the (albeit miniscule number – ha ha- of) people who didn’t like my play and were nasty about it Ho de ho.

Thanks guys. Love from London

Matt
x

Grooveboy, I've long thought that as huge a hit as HAIRSPRAY is on Broadway, it would be an absolute, box-oofice-busting phenomenon in London.

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Updated On: 1/29/04 at 09:17 AM

Alexander DeLarge? ha, I knew it