Dear Harvey Fierstein,- Page 2

[Tom148502]

Posted: 7/21/07 at 9:55pm

While I was mildly amused by the Broadway production of HAIRSPRAY, the only real attraction, for me, was Fiersrtein. I've always been sorry that I wasn't able to get back to the Neil Simon to see him in the show for a 2nd time.
'Timeless to Me" was the true highlight of the original stage production. A low-key, sentimental, lovely few minutes. What's this I hear about the song being turned into a production number in the film? Aren't there enough production numbers in the show?

[Up In Lost]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 12:20am

Waaait...

That voice is not from smoking. I believe he has said that his gravely voice was due to damage he sustained in a play at La Mama, in which he had to deliver his dialogue screaming over a Kate Smith record.

His voice isn't natural?! I know it isn't from smoking, but I figured it was just his voice. Part of me is sad for him even though I know he probably isn't discouraged by it at all. Are there recordings of his voice pre-damage?

[jasonf]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 1:02am

I don't know whether to be confused or astounded that so many people like his voice. Good actor, fine. Good writer, fine. But good singer??? And this from people who will jump down the (pardon the expression) throat of ANY other singer who isn't JUST on pitch or in any other way exactly perfect. Kind of hypocritical to praise his singing if you're going to cast aspersions on ANY other singer.

[HDThoreau2]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 2:22am

Harvey is the one and only Edna and is DIVINE compared to Travolta.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 2:28am

I don't think his voice is damaged. He has said that he sang soprano as a child and then once puberty hit his voice became what it is now.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 9:53am

Here is a quote directly from Harvey on the subject, from the Advocate.

"Torch Song also introduced the world to that voice. When I first interviewed Fierstein for The Advocate in 1978, I asked him how he got his unique rasp. Swearing on a pack of Benson and Hedges, he said, "I was in a play called Xircus, The Private Life of Jesus Christ, and had to do a five-page monologue over a recording of Kate Smith singing 'God Bless America' played at top volume over eight-foot speakers. The director refused to turn down the volume--and I wanted every word heard!"

[Andante]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 12:25pm

Gotta love Harvey. Travolta is NOTHING compared to the magnificent and talented Mr. Fierstein.

[Ftworthguy]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 12:21am

Love me some Harvey -- If you get a chance, check out Tidy Endings, with him and the ever stunning Stockard Channing. I've always loved him and his Edna was spectacular, saw him twice in NYC -- Once with Marissa, once with the incredibly talented Kathy Brier. His was the DEFINITIVE stage Edna, as Divine's was the original creation that made us love her in the first place (Edna, not necessarily Divine)

John's Edna is the sweetest and most heartwarming and, for me at least, fits THIS version. Why does there have to be only one? Each of these incredibly talented men created Edna's in totally different mediums.

I applaud all three of them. I'm just so thankful that we had three such talented actors bring to life such a memorable character!

Long Live Edna Turnblad!!!!

[LoringsGuy]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 12:47am

AMEN, FtWorthGuy.

Many people seem unable or unwilling to accept anyone in a role other than the original actor (a fact that the makers of the RENT movie took to heart to appease the fans, and then we ripped it apart saying the actors were too old).

[Playbill9117]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 1:44pm

I also love Harvey! I love him for his impeccable comic timing and his bright, yet practical outlook on life.

The dress in the photo on the first page WAS used in the TONY performance. However that pic was taken from the VEGAS show where the gown was used again for "You Can't Stop the Beat."

Much Kudos to William Ivey Long for his Tony winning designs on HAIRSPRAY and Countless other shows.

Also, much praise is due to Fierstein himself, because he is one of very few Broadway Ednas who really knew how to handle the body and the costumes in the fashion of a REAL lady.





*(Edited for Typos! OOPS!) Updated On: 7/26/07 at 01:44 PM

[Ftworthguy]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 4:03pm

LORINGS --

You totally rock!

[WaltSummersPI]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 4:10pm

I thought this thread was an open letter to Harvey to please video Grey Gardens.

I'll be going now.

[Playbill9117]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 6:26pm

I agree with LoringsGuy, but I never liked RENT anyway, so I just kept my mouth shut through the entire thing.

Also, am I alone in wondering if I missed something before WaltSummersPI's last post?

[JonathanGroffislove]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 6:28pm

He IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE Edna Turnblad

[C is for Company]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 6:31pm

No Walt is not alone, the good Captain has been making a number of open letters he devised as satire and let them loose upon the boards for us all to find humor in.

[LoringsGuy]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 11:04pm

Aw, shucks, FtWorthGuy---you're making me blush!

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 11:28pm

Walt, that was hilarious.

[Playbill9117]

Posted: 7/28/07 at 2:34pm

BUMP

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 7/28/07 at 5:19pm

Harvey told me himself, why his voice sounds the way it does..

"Sucking miles and miles of (ock"


Scouts Honor.

[Playbill9117]

Posted: 7/28/07 at 9:45pm

HA!
I have no doubt that's what he told you.

So Funny!