Could Nikki Blonsky ever join HAIRSPRAY's Broadway cast?

[zamedy]

Posted: 8/12/08 at 10:36am

There's been a lot of speculation lately about which Nederlander Theatre WEST SIDE STORY and GUYS AND DOLLS will move into in time for their openings next year. Some people have suggested HAIRSPRAY will be gone soon (a prediction I find laughable when you look at the numbers... not to mention the fact that the show recouped years ago!). But the fall and winter months are tough for all shows with the exception of the big blockbusters. Would the producers consider/try to bring in Nikki Blonsky to keep the show going in the future? Or would she just be too expensive?

BTW.. I have seen both Shannon and Marissa and think Marissa has stepped in and done a great job filling some very tough shoes!
Updated On: 8/12/08 at 10:36 AM

[toanythingtaboo 2]

Posted: 8/12/08 at 10:41am

I reckon they might attempt it if they really needed the boost, it would be an incredibly smart move, plus she wouldn't be too pricey - not like she's got anything going on at the moment.

I get the impression that she wouldn't be able to keep a high standard of performing, but out of the film cast...she's probably one of the only actors who could pull off the stage production.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/12/08 at 10:47am

I don't think bringing Nikki Blonsky in would send ticket sales flying through the roof. Although you do hear about her in the media, she isn't a huge name yet that would drastically change how fast tickets would sell. In fact, I don't think the grosses would increase that much.

[JP2]

Posted: 8/12/08 at 12:16pm

Not sure if Nikki could handle 8 shows a week.

And yes, Marissa has filled those huge shoes quite nicely!

[winter_sky]

Posted: 8/12/08 at 12:37pm

I wish they would bring Elijah Kelly in. He was my favorite part of the movie (well and James Marsden).

[toanythingtaboo 2]

Posted: 8/12/08 at 12:57pm

I loved Elijah too, but I saw clips of him performing 'Run and Tell That' live, and he was out of breath (not doing the dance routine...) and didn't do as well as i'd hope.

When I saw Hairspray in London, I was blown away by the Seaweed there, his voice was great and riffed quite freely...and I don't think Elijah could peform to the film standard 8 shows a week.

James Marsden however, could blow away the Corny Collins in London.

[TMarie]

Posted: 8/12/08 at 1:02pm

Well, the movie didn't really cause a huge uproar of cultish fans who would all rally for Nikki live, right? I'm not sure it would really make ticket sales rise. All that I assume would happen is that someone seeing the show would leave maybe liking it, maybe no, but either way being able to say "Yeah no the show was good. Oh, and the girl from the movie was in it!"

[yankees1253]

Posted: 8/12/08 at 1:26pm

yes marissa has filled the role as tracy very well, and i feel that nikki b wont be able to do 8 shows a week. plus the understudies for tracy are great too. my feeling that if marissa keep up her great work, she will get a contract extention. so nikki wont make a difference in ticket sales.

aubrey o'day and jennifer lewis are both leaving at the end of this month.
niki scalera just over the weekend resigned as her role of penny until jan 25th 2009.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/12/08 at 1:27pm

"niki scalera just over the weekend resigned as her role of penny until jan 25th 2009."

You might want to edit this a bit to say she renewed her contract. It makes it sound like Niki Scalera resigned the role of Penny until January 25, 2009.

[JP2]

Posted: 8/12/08 at 1:31pm

Oh! I must see the show again before Ms. Lewis leaves. She is phenomenal!

And I surprisingly enjoyed Aubrey O'Day

Niki Scalera is acceptable.

[yankees1253]

Posted: 8/12/08 at 2:10pm

"niki scalera just over the weekend resigned as her role of penny until jan 25th 2009."

You might want to edit this a bit to say she renewed her contract. It makes it sound like Niki Scalera resigned the role of Penny until January 25, 2009.

~sorry millie, i was gong to put renewed or i should have said extended her contract.~

but no word yet who will take over the role as amber and motormouth yet. but i have seen brooke and kristen as amber and they are both great.
d woods and dawn of danity kane came to see aubrey this past week.
i hope curt or daniel take over the role as link soon.

[AvenueQResident]

Posted: 8/12/08 at 2:26pm

I believe Nikki has always expressed interest in playing Tracy on Broadway.

[zamedy]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 8:49am

Is it just a coincidence that Niki Scalera was offered a contract thru January 25th, 2009 and WEST SIDE STORY is scheduled to begin previews February 23rd? I'm hoping it is. I don't know how long a show and its actors need to set up and rehearse on a stage before previews begin anyway.

Oh, and I love James Marsden, too!
Updated On: 8/13/08 at 08:49 AM

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 8:55am

Zamedy, note that West Side Story will be having an out of town try out in DC beginning in December.

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 9:26am

Wouldn't bring me running to the theatre that's for sure.

But James Marsden? That's another story...

[SNLMedia]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 9:54am

Nikki would be enjoyable, but as it's been said already, I don't think she could handle eight shows a week.

Marsden would also get me back to the show, but they could never afford him!

[Fosse76]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 11:15am

"Nikki would be enjoyable, but as it's been said already, I don't think she could handle eight shows a week."

I recall hearing that the producers don't feel she could handle eight shows a week...otherwise she would have replaced Shannon Durig instead of Marissa Perry.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 11:40am

I think this will happen at some point... but seeing as she and her father recently had some... arresting... problems...

[RobRedstone]

Posted: 5/15/09 at 6:32pm

Nikki Blonsky will be on the Rob Redstone show May 25th at 7pm PST


NIKKI BLONSKY on the Rob Redstone Show 5/25/09 7pm PST Updated On: 5/15/09 at 06:32 PM

[AndAllThatJazz22]

Posted: 5/15/09 at 10:23pm

well, if we're basing celebrity casting on ticket sales, I have two words for ya:

Zac Efron