I have a question I'll get to about Edna, and the development of her character, from both an acting and a writing standpoint...
Travolta's "Edna" was so different from previous versions, and I still can't stop thinking about it. John gave a pretty incredible performance... that at times was silly, underplayed, overdone, clownish, heartbreaking, awkward AND polished. There were moments throughout the film when I felt Edna was fading away into the background... and there were moments (like the end) where she took over the entire picture like a force of nature and blew everyone else off the screen.
I loved this Edna. My heart breaks for her. She doesn't quite know how to behave, fit in, or react to anything. I wanted to laugh at her, turn away from her, and hug her at the same time.
SO... all that said...
How did the creation of this new Edna come about? Was it Travolta's choice first, and then you (the creative team) followed with the agoraphobic backstory, etc.? There were many shifts that happened---some acting choices---and some writing and directing choices throughout the film---but they all added up to this strange, new, fascinating "hybrid character." It's not "drag," and it's not a real woman. It's not commedia dell'arte, and it's not an SNL sketch.
It's almost (for me) like Kabuki---Where we know these very beautiful women in front of us are men. We're in on it, but it's not a "joke," but rather an irrelevant detail. We move on with the story and the character, just the same.
Fascinating.
And I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like it. I'm glad you all decided to "walk the high wire" with that one. A gamble, but I think it paid off big-time, by actually breaking new cinematic ground.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
) of HAIRSPRAY! 
