Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/03
-- Nathan Lane
-- Robin Williams
-- John Goodman
The producers/creative team DID say it could be played by a woman ( though so of the jokes taking advantage of a mlae voice ala "Just us girls in the Big Dollhouse" would be lost completely), so..
-- Roseanne ( They have considered her)
-- Lanie Kazan
Ok, who else???
Swing Joined: 5/13/03
Nathan Lane and Robin Williams would be amazing! But I don't see anything impressive as far as John Goodman is concerned...
Well, Harvey really made the role his own. He's gonna be kinda hard to replace. I can't picture Robin Williams at all. Is Bruce Vilanch confirmed for the tour? Because I can definately picture him as Harvey's replacement.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/03
Yes. Bruce Vilanch IS confirmed for the tour.
The first person who came to mind for me is John Goodman. However, the suggestions of Roseanne and Nathan Lane (it would never happen) are also intriguing.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/11/03
Robin Williams would be fabulous!
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/03
You never know. he is a friend of Marc and Scott and DID record 'Timeless to Me' for the Demo.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
I Think Dame Edna would make a wonderful Edna Turnblad.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/03
I heard somewhere that they were thinking about Dame Edna to play Edna when they take it to the West End.
John Goodman,no way. Bruce Vilance better shave his beard if hs is going on the road as Edna.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/03
What's wrong with Goodman? He has the size and he isn't a stranger to Broadway musicals.
I LOVE the idea of Dame Edna. I think she would be perfect.
I wonder if Harvey Korman is too old? did anyone see him on the road with Conway recently? I do think both Goodman and Edna would be good, and Edna is a natural for West End. Williams did do that GODOT a while back, so I could see him in a limited engagement. I also think RuPaul is a fun idea, or if they do go with a woman (Tyne Daly would also kick ass, as well as Lainie) then RuPaul as Motormouth would be hilarious. Roseanne would make it all about her, while Harvey has been so generous with it. Just my personal thoughts.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/03
I don't go for RuPaul as Motormouth, but what about Sharon Wilkins from Seussical, Capathia Jenkins, or, be still my heart, Jennifer Holliday as Motormouth.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
Dame Edna would be perfect yet Harvey is just so divine in the role. But The Dame would be a hoot and I would wave some
gladiolas to see that.
Dame again on Broadway would make me smile.
Updated On: 6/15/03 at 10:51 PM
Featured Actor Joined: 5/11/03
Based on his Linda Tripp portrayals on Saturday Night Live, I think that John Goodman is the best name that I've heard being tossed around.
KB
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/03
Goodman, Lane, and Williams I can each picture in the role and each, i think, would ahev a very different and valid take on the character than the others.
Featured Actor Joined: 5/11/03
Based on where their careers are, I think Goodman would have a much better chance than Lane or Williams of taking the part.
KB
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/03
I think Lane and Willimas might be better to do it further into the run. I just feel sorry for the poor guys on stage who have to keep up with Lane or Williams and their ad-libs -- trying to keep up and not totally lose it. LOL.
Stand-by Joined: 5/16/03
Harvey Fierstein is 6' 2" and weighs about 250 as he plays the 300 pound Edna Turnblad.
You can put any actor in a padded suit, but the actor needs to start with a round face and sufficient stature for the role. I'm sure there are minimum height requirements for Edna versus the shorter Tracy.
Robin Williams has a thin face.
Nathan Lane is short, I think.
John Goodman would probably be the right size for the role.
Although I understand that a woman COULD play the role, casting a man adds a different dimension to the part as well as providing a great acting opportunity.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/03
I have the seen the casting calls for 'Hairspray'. It specifies that Tracy MUST be under 5'3", but there is no minimum height/weight listed for Edna.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
SURPRIZED, no one thought of LEA DELARIA!!!
she's so ambiguous! She played Eddie in Rocky Horror!! she can play guy or girl, and then have the audience confused, lol!
although she sounds alot like the actress who sings Big Blonde and Beautiful...lol
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/03
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
so bdwayguy you agree with Lea? Isn't she uttelry amazing!!! When I first got the Hairspray cd, and heard Big Blonde and Beautiful I didnt know it was Mottor Mouth, I thought it was Amber's mom for some reason and I thought to myself why isnt that LEa Delaria, then i thought, oh well she can take over when this actress leaves, lol, then I found out she was black, anyhoo, but Lea is anbiguously amazing, she's my vote for the next Edna IF they want a female, then the jokes will be even funnier!!
BERNADETTE PETERS......hahahahahahaha mmm ha
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