A return visit to Hairspray

[Gpvegas]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 11:03am

Well yesterday was a long day took my bestfriends niece(17) to see Spring Awakening (my short review is in another thread - in short I loved it for the 4th time and she loved it for the first.)

It was fun to not be in my late 30's for a day. I got to do NYC through a teenager's eyes. We had lunch at the Hard Rock. After the matinee we did the whole stage door thing at Spring Awakening. She had a blast talking to and meeting the cast. Most of who were very nice and friendly ( there was one guy that was just not very pleasant). We then did the Hairspray lottery. There were about 40 people who put their names in and we won. While at the Lottery Paul Vogt (Edna) Was passing by and introduced himself and told Nicole and I that he hoped we won. She was very excited, but I told her we could now try the Wicked Lottery but not to get her hopes. It was very crowded and we did not win. So back to the Art diner. In betwen the Hairspray lottery and getting back to the diner down the street. Gallagher's Steakhouse had a fire and there were a half a dozen fire engines. We ate then headed to the show. Gallaghers was being gutted in the front and all that meat in the window was ruined.

Now on to the show. We had the lotto ticket center of the front row. The stage is a bit high but not so to block your view. A bit of history. I have seen the show 4-5 times. I saw the oringinal cast and everytime was always with Harvey, including Vegas. I love Harvey as Edna.

We got there No understudies. This cast was excellent.
Shannon Durig (Tracy) was in great voice and she played Tracy well.
Paul Vogt was very very good. He did not make me wish for Harvey, so that is saying a lot. Also, at the curtain call he even saw me and said "see you won".
Ashley Parker Angel - was a bit leary about this casting but I thought for his 2nd week he was great. He will be fine in this role.
There were 2 weaker links I felt -
Jere Burns did not seem to be on at this performance. Not sure if he was just not feeling well but he just did not make the role anything. I have to admit I did love Dick L in this role.
The 2nd was Tevin Campbell - he to seemed to be off. Just was not that impressive to me.

The real reason I wanted to see this show again was for Darlene Love and Diana Degarmo. Both were outstanding. Diana was truly amazing for me. She was in great voice and she brings so much to Penny. She was a dream. I was not a huge fan of hers on Idol but she was awesome on that stage. Today (Sunday) is her last show.
Darlene Love, I have been wanting to see her in this role. I have read a lot about her acting. I thought on that end she was pretty good, but her singing made up for it 10 times. She was incredible.

All in all the show is in great shape. And best of all Nicole was so thrilled, she must of thanked my 100 times. The best day ever in her words.

One last thing, the last time I saw Hairspray was in Vegas. It was freshing to see the FULL version rather then the watered down cut version in Vegas.

[purpleprince101]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 11:16am

great review!

[Gingersnap2]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 11:48am

I'd forgotten this was Diana's last weekend. I'm am so not tuned into American Idol that I didn't have any idea she was from it until after I saw her as Penny...I'm rather glad I didn't know in advance.

I saw the show the day after Thanksgiving with a few friends, mainly to stop and say hi to Tommar Wilson. I wasn't really looking forward to it, despite Hugh Panaro telling me it was a lot of fun.

Have to say I really had a great time with it, though, as did my friends.

[Jovie24]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 11:54am

can you PM me and tell me which actor was not so nice to you guys?

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 12:08pm

Tevim Campbell is in Hairspray now? When did I miss that? I loved his songs on the Goofy movie soundtrack, because I'm a massive dork like that. Then I got his CD for christmas and was massively disappointed.
Huh, weird!

[TWSFan4Ever]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 12:40pm

Glad you enjoyed the show!

[YankeeGal#24]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 5:59pm

"Tevim Campbell is in Hairspray now? When did I miss that?": shesamarshmallow

Tevin Campbell took over the role of Seaweed in December, 2005.

[Marie2]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 9:14pm

Anyone wanting to catch Diana in Hairspray is officially out of luck. Her run ended tonight with the cast acknowledging her departure at the end of the show. Shannon Durig told the crowd it was her last night, thanked Diana for being such an amazing castmate, and at some point Diana was given the Miss Hairspray crown.
I hope she's back on Broadway sometime in the fall or in 2008. She seems to love theater and she's proven herself very capable.

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 9:23pm

I am so glad I won the lottery last Saturday and got to see her before she exited.

Great review: Gpvegas, so glad you're niece loved the show. Its nice to know my aunt isn't the only aunt who takes their nephew/niece to Broadway shows and begin a tradition.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 9:32pm

I'm happy I got to see Diana, but sorry that I only got to see her once.

[BobbyErikValjean]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 9:35pm

Thank you for the review! I'm going to see this for the first time next week, but I'm a little upset that I'm going to miss Diana.