HAIRSPRAY LIVE! Viewing Thread — Page 11

mc1227 said: "brdway411 said: "Just curious why they used the original choreography?



"

Because it's perfect the way it is?



And because Jerry Mitchell the original choreographer did this version as well.....

I think for Bye, bye birdie they should use The Wiz approach without the running to different locations and just have changing stage sets but add a live audience so we get genuine reaction, good camera work and the performers can preserve their energy. Not that this wasn't heaps of fun but it wasn't without its flaws either.

That Dove kid is spectacular.

Link is just nonexistent, they should have used Hough and cast the readywhip guy as Corny.

I know I'm not going to be popular here but I think they should have used Nikki Blonsky. This is the weakest of all three Tracys. She sings fine but it took nost of the show for her to warm up. I don't see the star quality people are talking about.

Ariana is just fine. Love her dorky gestures.

I wish this had all been on the sound stage.

This was magic.

Tracy is not a career making role for anyone. I think Maddie did a fine job in the role.

I am glad they did, I saw it too many times on Broadway and was a dancing fool at the end of the show just now in my apt.

My 10 yr old begged me all night to let her stay up till the end of the show --- she is a Disney fanatic and infatuated with Dove --- agree--- she was really good !

This is how you do it NBC, this is how you do it. Jennifer Hudson blew the roof and stole the show and the rest of the cast is really, REALLY good especially Chenoweth.

I think the best live TV musical I have seen using the set approach has been the UK version of Sound of Music, the sound, camera work, sets and performances where all pretty great, it perhaps was a bit joyless but technically it was seemless.

Despite a few technical glitches and some really awkward pacing I thought tonight was by far the best out of all the live musicals. Technical wise, I thought Grease Live had the best camerawork but because Hairspray is such a joyous show with brilliant material, you are able to look past some of that.

If I recall correctly, The Wiz Live had quite a bit of sloppy camera work that was patched up for the DVD. I say it's a pretty safe bet that the camera issues will be solved for the DVD of this.

My main issue was the sound. I could barely hear the performers at times or the mic cut out altogether. Hopefully this will also be adjusted for the DVD.

I thought the entire cast brought their A-game and gave it their all.

All in all, a great success tonight and looking forward to getting the DVD later this month!

BRAVO! A Grand Slam!

I enjoyed the broadcast, and am of course happy that the world got to see this, but I have a thought now seeing the reactions:

We really need to raise our standards. We cannot wonder why mainstream audiences don't like musicals or theatre when we present things like this on national TV. If it was just for people like us, then yes, it was great. But from the outside looking in, I hardly imagine this broadcast will make many new theatre fans. And we have this great opportunity to!! Once a year! And it's such a shame to see such a muddy production with terrible tech and mediocre staging. We need to reconsider what we present to the world if we want them to start opening their minds.