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Favorite Actors in Hairspray

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#1

Favorite Actors in Hairspray

Posted: 2/3/06 at 12:20pm

I thought it would be interesting to see who everyone liked best in the main roles in "Hairspray", Broadway or touring. I've seen all kinds of different combinations since it opened; here are my favorites:

Edna Turnblad: Bruce Vilanch (yes, loved Harvey too, but not as much)
Wilbur Turnblad: Tod Sussman
Tracy Turnblad: Shannon Durig
Link Larkin: Matthew Morrison
Penny Pingleton: Tracey Miller
Seaweed: Chester Gregory
Amber: Tracy Jai Edwards
Motormouth: Mary Bond Davis
Velma: Barbara Walsh
Corny: Jonathan Duckochitz, but Michael Cunio (understudy) was great the times I saw him
Prudy Pingleton: Julie Halston


"You ask four guys, you get four different versions" ~ Tommy DeVito, Jersey Boys
#2

re: Favorite Actors in Hairspray

Posted: 2/3/06 at 1:02pm

ive seen the broadway production and the touring production.i've seen each role play by alot of different people but i have my favorites!
Edna Turnblad: Harvey ( ive seen 5)
Wilbur Turnblad: Jim J Bullock (ive seen 6)
Tracy Turnblad: Carly Jibson (ive seen 8 )
Link Larkin: Andrew Rannells (ive seen 6 )
Penny Pingleton: Tracey Miller (ive seen 5)
Seaweed: Chester Gregory (ive seen 4)
Amber: Tracy Jai Edwards (ive seen 5)
Motormouth: Mary Bond Davis (ive seen 3)
Velma: Leah Hocking/Linda Hart tied(ive seen 4)
Corny: Clarke Thorell (ive seen 5)
Prudy: Jackie Hoffman(ive seen 4)

though those are my favorites i really enjoy the current cast...i think shannon and andrew are so great together. and i really cant wait to see the vegas production.


"gimme a bottle of bourbon and half a chicken and i'll conquer the world!"

Updated On: 2/4/06 at 01:02 PM

#3

re: Favorite Actors in Hairspray

Posted: 2/3/06 at 4:31pm

Edna Turnblad: Bruce Vilanch
Wilbur Turnblad: Todd Sussman
Tracy Turnblad: Shannon Durig
Link Larkin: Matthew Morrison with Richard Blake a close second
Penny Pingleton: Tracy Miller
Seaweed: Chester Gregory
Amber: Tracy Jai Edwards
Motormouth: Mary Bond Davis
Velma: Barbara Walsh
Corny: Jonathan Duckochitz
Prudy Pingleton: Julie Halston
#4

re: Favorite Actors in Hairspray

Posted: 2/3/06 at 4:52pm

Edna Turnblad: Harvey
Wilbur Turnblad: Joel Vig
Tracy Turnblad: Kathy Brier
Link Larkin:Richard Blake
Penny Pingleton: Jenn Gambatest
Seaweed: Chester Gregory
Amber: Laura Bell Bundy
Motormouth: Mary Bond Davis
Velma: Barbara Walsh
Corny: Jonathan Duckochitz
Prudy Pingleton: Jackie Hoffman
#5

re: Favorite Actors in Hairspray

Posted: 2/3/06 at 8:06pm

So far the only ones named on everyone's posts are Chester Gregory and Mary Bond Davis. Small sampling, I know. Need more people to chime in! re: Favorite Actors in Hairspray
"You ask four guys, you get four different versions" ~ Tommy DeVito, Jersey Boys
#6

re: Favorite Actors in Hairspray

Posted: 2/3/06 at 8:08pm

Edna Turnblad: Harvey
Wilbur Turnblad: Jim J. Bullock
Tracy Turnblad: Keala Settle
Link Larkin: Matthew Morrison
Penny Pingleton: Caissey Levy
Seaweed: Alan Mingo, JR
Amber: Laura Bell Bundy
Motormouth: Mary Bond Davis
Velma: Joanna Glushak
Corny: Paul McQuillan
Prudy Pingleton: Jackie Hoffman
~Now I'm standing centre stage, I'm at home at last!~
#7

re: Favorite Actors in Hairspray

Posted: 2/3/06 at 9:43pm

Edna Turnblad: Michael McKean
Wilbur Turnblad: Jim J. Bullock
Tracy Turnblad: Christine Danelson
Link Larkin: Matthew Morrison
Penny Pingleton: Caissie Levy
Seaweed: Chester Gregory II, no question.
Amber: Tracy Jai Edwards
Motormouth: Mary Bond Davis
Velma: Barbara Walsh
Corny: Clarke Thorell
Prudy Pingleton: Jackie Hoffman, always.
#9

re: Favorite Actors in Hairspray

Posted: 2/3/06 at 11:06pm

Huh???
"You ask four guys, you get four different versions" ~ Tommy DeVito, Jersey Boys
#10

re: Favorite Actors in Hairspray

Posted: 2/4/06 at 12:46am

Tracy: Shannon Durig
Penny: Tracy Miller (hands down, no contest!)
Edna: John Pinette
Wilbur: Stephen DeRosa
Seaweed: Chester Gregory
Link: Andrew Rannells (Matt Morrison a close second)
Amber: Michelle Kittrell (swing), but I also love Laura Bell Bundy
Velma: hmmm...tough. I guess a tie between Leah Hocking and Barbara Walsh
Motormouth: Darlene Love
Corny: Jonathan Duckochitz, but I too love Michael Cunio
Prudy: I love Julie Halston, but have you ever heard Shoshana Bean's riffing during The Big Dollhouse...amazing!
"Free from what, Tracy? Free from what?"
#11

re: Favorite Actors in Hairspray

Posted: 2/4/06 at 3:17am

Edna Turnblad: Bruce Vilanch (i like John Pinette too!)
Wilbur Turnblad: Stephen DeRosa
Tracy Turnblad: Shannon Durig
Link Larkin: Andrew Rannells- marry me
Penny Pingleton: TRAAAACY MILLLLERRRR (i dont understand how she can NOT be your favorite...im just curious...people who listed others, have you seen her?)
Seaweed: Arbender J. Robinson (my pal so maybe im prejudice :)
Amber: BECKY GULSVIG!!! love her
Motormouth: Darlene Love
Velma: Barbara Walsh/Leah Hocking (they play it very differently)
Corny: Michael Cunio (understudy)
Prudy Pingleton: Julie Halston
I was lost 'til I heard the drums, then I found my way
#12

re: Favorite Actors in Hairspray

Posted: 2/4/06 at 6:43pm

I agree with ashers2u. Tracy Miller IS Penny! I have seen 4 of them, and while they were ALL good, none were as perfect in the role as Tracy Miller.

I feel the same way about Chester Gregory as Seaweed. The energy, charisma, and talent he brought to the role is unsurpassed in my opinion--even more so than Corey Reynolds, the original Seaweed, who was nominated for a Tony.
"You ask four guys, you get four different versions" ~ Tommy DeVito, Jersey Boys
#13

re: Favorite Actors in Hairspray

Posted: 2/4/06 at 6:48pm

I like Kerry Butler as Penny. I have not seen Tracy Miller, though.
And then, do you know Monseiur Marius, I believe I was a little in love with you.
♥♥♥
#15

re: Favorite Actors in Hairspray

Posted: 2/4/06 at 7:34pm

just wanted to continue with some ultimate BECKY GULSVIG love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

(we're married secretly)

:)
#16

re: Favorite Actors in Hairspray

Posted: 2/5/06 at 12:54am

Does she know about that re: Favorite Actors in Hairspray
"You ask four guys, you get four different versions" ~ Tommy DeVito, Jersey Boys
#17

re: Favorite Actors in Hairspray

Posted: 2/5/06 at 1:45am

Chester was sensational in Hairspray. I've seen that show so many times I wouldn't even know where to begin to count. Every time I saw him as Seaweed, he was charismatic, energetic, and who can forget that voice? Wow.

Shoshana Bean as the prison matron during "The Big Dollhouse" is great. Her riffing at the end was just plain awesome. If you listen to that audio, and then listen to Julie Halston, you kind of feel embarassed for Julie as she tries to riff and scat.
#18

re: Favorite Actors in Hairspray

Posted: 2/5/06 at 1:54am

Edna Turnblad: John Pinette
Wilbur Turnblad: Thats a tossup.
Tracy Turnblad: Shannon Durig
Link Larkin: Matthew Morrison. I really loved Richard H. Blake and Andrew Rannels too though.
Penny Pingleton: Tracy Miller
Seaweed: Chester Gregory II
Amber: Becky Gulsvig
Motormouth: Mary Bond Davis
Velma: Leah Hocking // Barbara Walsh.
Corny: Jonathan Duckochitz
Prudy Pingleton: Liz Larsen

#19

re: Favorite Actors in Hairspray

Posted: 2/5/06 at 3:14am

I just recently saw the show for the first time and considering I can't compare the current touring cast I decided to just give some opinions on two.

Tracy: Keala Settle--I love her--a definite sweetie.
Penny: Caissie Levy--that girl CRACKS me up. I think she did an amazing job.

#20

re: Favorite Actors in Hairspray

Posted: 2/5/06 at 10:16am

"Looks like I'm the only Kathy Brier fan around here! "

ShuQ--I didn't think she was BAD as Tracy; in fact, she was really good! So was Marissa Jaret Winokur. And Carly Jibson was really great! But Shannon Durig really nails that role. She has an amazing voice, and is the perfect combination of sweetness and strength and SPIRIT that, to me, is who Tracy IS.
"You ask four guys, you get four different versions" ~ Tommy DeVito, Jersey Boys
#21

re: Favorite Actors in Hairspray

Posted: 2/5/06 at 10:35am

i agree, i just loved shannon as tracy!
i especially loved when she said "IM A BAD GIRL! IM A BAD GIRL!" in the detention scene :)

and no, becky does not know we're married yet, but she'll find out sooner or later! re: Favorite Actors in Hairspray
does she answer fanmail? i wanna send her something tomorrow! and yes, i already have picked out the weddding rings... :)
#22

re: Favorite Actors in Hairspray

Posted: 2/5/06 at 10:39am

bwyondabrain - I hate to be the one to break the bad news to you, but Becky's already married. Sorry re: Favorite Actors in Hairspray
"Free from what, Tracy? Free from what?"
#23

re: Favorite Actors in Hairspray

Posted: 2/5/06 at 10:42am

really?
oh, that might explain that man she walked away with after she signed my playbill at the stage door...
*runs to a corner, and weeps*
#24

re: Favorite Actors in Hairspray

Posted: 2/5/06 at 11:45am

Edna- Bruce Valanch
Tracy- Vanessa Olivarez or Marissa Jaret Winkour or Shoshana
Link- Matthew Morrison or Andrew Rannells
Motormouth- Mary Bond Davis
Penny- Tracy Miller or Kerry Butler or Jenn Gambatese
Seaweed- Chester Gregory
Amber- Laura Bell
Velma- Leah Hocking
Corny- Jonathan Duckochitz
Prudy- Jackie Hoffman
#25

re: Favorite Actors in Hairspray

Posted: 2/5/06 at 12:26pm

Tracy: Carly
Edna: Harvey
Wilbur: Peter Scolari
Motormouth: Mary Bond Davis
Velma: Barbara Walsh
Corny: Clarke Thorell
Link: Matthew Morrison
Penny: Ugh...what's her name? 1st National Tour Penny
Seaweed: Corey Reynolds Jr.
Matron: Jackie Hoffman
"Y'all have a GRAND day now"

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