Blonsky to go to bway?

[tazber]

Posted: 8/24/07 at 8:15am

I can't believe I'm the first to post this, but I didn't see it anywhere unless it buried in one of the other Hairspray threads.
Anyway, it was news to me so I thought I'd share:

Blonsky To Reprise 'Hairspray' Role on Broadway?


Hairspray star Nikki Blonsky is desperate to reprise her role as Tracy Turnblad on Broadway. The 18-year-old plays the dancing teen in the big-screen musical remake, but insists the pull of live theatre makes her determined to succeed on the stage. She says, "Well, you know, maybe, definitely it's been brought to my attention and it's something that I think about every single day especially coming to the openings of Grease, and I went to the opening of Spring Awakening. I definitely go into live theatre; it perks me up, and makes me want to do it."

http://imdb.com/news/wenn/2007-08-24/

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 8/24/07 at 8:19am

I've heard that she wants it really bad, but the producers don't think she can handle it. I wouldn't be against it after Shannon leaves.

(SHANNON, NEVER LEAVE!!)

[biggest CHENO fan]

Posted: 8/24/07 at 9:44am

Hasn't Shannon been there for an awful long while??? She was great when I saw her, but isn't it time for a change? BLONSKY would be great! How could she NOT be?! I'm all for that!
Updated On: 8/24/07 at 09:44 AM

[Parks]

Posted: 8/24/07 at 9:49am

Shannon is still supposedly great in the role. If Shannon is as good (or even better) than when I saw the show in March 2006, I say keep her until she's 87! She really is fantastic, but it would be very interesting to see Nikki in the role. Maybe a few years down the line... She may have a few more film projects after her next one, and she should definitely build up her resume before leaving it for Broadway if she dreams of being a movie star.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 8/24/07 at 9:49am

Just remember....what works on film may not transfer well and vice versa.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 8/24/07 at 9:52am

*ugh*

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 8/24/07 at 9:59am

I think it's an unwise career move.

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 8/24/07 at 9:59am

Nikki was very good in the film but doing the show eight times a week onstage is an entirely different thing.

[BroadwayEnthusiast2]

Posted: 8/24/07 at 10:15am

I would love to see her on Broadway, but it's a different Tracy on Broadway than the Tracy in the movie.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 8/24/07 at 10:17am

Plus, she already has a film commitment, so I don't think she'd available for any long run. A limited engagement would be a wise bit of 'stunt' casting, but she would need to be completely re-directed as film and stage are 2 completely different mediums. Her subtle Tracy on film will need to be made broader and LARGER for the Broadway stage.

[snl89]

Posted: 8/24/07 at 10:19am

Ok, I'm ALL up for Nikki doing Broadway. I think she definitely has what it takes (including the being able to do it 8 shows a week. She's said in interviews that she's done lots of lead roles in big shows at her school and stuff before, so I'm sure she's used to live theater), and she would be just fabulous. However, I have to say it- if she's going to do it I really really want Zac and Elijah to do it tooooo!

I know, I know, a lot of people probably think Zac's no where near good enough for Broadway and that he'd be horrible and all that. But I have faith- I think if he took just a few more voice lessons to learn how to really keep up the 8 shows a week, he could totally do it. And Elijah CLEARLY has all the talent in the world to do it.

So yeah, I'm very exited to hear this! I just... would REALLY love for the others to join in too :)

[Virgo]

Posted: 8/24/07 at 10:27am

I definitely think she has what it takes, we know she can sing and act, she's already proven that in the movie. Plus, she's young and has a lot of energy, I think she could handle the 8 shows per week without a problem, especially since her role is more of a "fun" role and not as draining as say a person in a deeper role more dramatic with a heavier subject manner.

Another plus for her would be since she is the star of the movie, they'd probably make her the face of the entire show in NY making it HER show for however long she's there. It really would be a positive for her.....especially if she got great reviews, which I'm sure she would. She has a great voice that has Broadway sound all over it. Nice and crystal clear with lots of high note capability.
Updated On: 8/24/07 at 10:27 AM

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 8/24/07 at 10:31am

Shannon is as endearing and hilarious in the role now as she has ever been and I honestly can't imagine any Broadway Tracy living up to her. So bring 'em on.

Tracy is a totally different character on stage, but I'd be interested to see Nikki's take. As for the producers not thinking she's up to it - it's her dream, I'm sure she'll work her ass off to be able to do the role. If she still wants to be on stage after doing the film, that has to say something as to her motivation.

[Anakela]

Posted: 8/24/07 at 10:31am

(SHANNON, NEVER LEAVE!!)

Hee.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/24/07 at 10:33am

I think it would be great for her to do the show on Broadway! How is it going to hurt her career? She's a young character actress. She's not ever going to be competing for a Nicole Kidman kind of film career.

[NJgirl]

Posted: 8/24/07 at 11:56am

Broadway's a whole other ballgame than film. Nikki's Tracy had a very different take and direction. It worked wonderfully on film , but I think Broadway's Tracy is quite different. Shannon remains my favorite and is always doing subtle things to change it up and keep it fresh. I'm in the she's not allowed to leave camp.

As for the person who said it's fun and not draining, it takes a hell of a lot of stamina to sing and dance "You cant stop the beat" full out 8 times a week. Try running on a treadmill and singing that song on key which is what I've seen in a few articles talking about how some Tracys have prepared for the role.

[me2]

Posted: 8/24/07 at 12:50pm

Shannon Durig is wonderful in the role, and I also hope she never leaves.

Perhaps Blonsky could do it, but if you were to take her interpretation of the character from the film and put it on stage, it'd never work. That's not to say she COULDN'T be good at it, but I don't think it's as simple as it sounds.
Broadway Blog: 50 Amazing Broadway Performers . . . AND Advice for Recording a Solo Album

[jg4892]

Posted: 8/24/07 at 1:01pm

Yeah, I don't see it working. Nikki's Tracy is very quiet and nice. Brittany's Amber is also kind of quiet, although not very nice. With an over the top broadway Amber, it would look like Tracy's a wimp if Nikki played it.

[MarkRascati]

Posted: 8/24/07 at 1:06pm

I saw Shannon last summer and didn't think she was any good at all. She seemed bored/tired and she was pitchy and I found her voice to be annoying.

On a completely unrelated note, someone I know's sister was the standby for Nikki and she said that Nikki was a bitch. I'm sure she's biased though

[mateo]

Posted: 8/24/07 at 1:13pm

If she came in - I would think a complete overhaul of the show would proceed- including the number "I Can Wait", "Come So Far" curtain call, etc.

May be not an 'overhaul' - but tailoring it to her strengths and the movie more.

Has a show ever made drastic changes during its Broadway run- to like 'spice things up, keep it fresh'?

I know A Chorus Line for awhile started updating its pop culture references but eventually went back to the original after it became a "dated" piece.

[mateo]

Posted: 8/24/07 at 1:17pm

Plus, don't you guys think Nikki would play her Tracy differently for the stage?

I think as an actress she would know the differences in medium and beef up her portrayal for the stage. Either way I think she would be directed this way if she decided to take on the role for Broadway.

Updated On: 8/24/07 at 01:17 PM

[theaterdude87]

Posted: 8/24/07 at 1:24pm

She was great in the movie...but doing 8 shows a week is a different deal. ou can't just call cut when you have had enough. On Seth's chatterbox on Sirus he once said that Marissa used to sing the whole score everyday on the treadmill to keep it up every day.

[mateo]

Posted: 8/24/07 at 1:28pm

What makes you think she couldn't do 8 shows a week?

We're not discussing just any film actress here. Nikki was trained for the stage.

[madbrian]

Posted: 8/24/07 at 1:29pm

I'd love to see her on Broadway, but not as Tracy. If she does a show, I think she should try something different. How about going totally 180 from Tracy and playing a role like Rizzo?

[mateo]

Posted: 8/24/07 at 1:32pm

Nikki would headline- I think Rizzo is too small a part for her.

Guaranteed if she stepped in to Hairspray it would sell out for a good long while.



How tall is the average stage Tracy?

Nikki is 4'10".