HAIRSPRAY Questions answered here! (inevitable Spoilers)- Page 9

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 11:43pm

My question is regarding the score. Mentioned here and in other articles you've said that "Without Love" is based on the duets of Tammi Terrell and Marvin Gaye and "You Can't Stop the Beat" is an homage to Phil Spector and Tina Turner's collaboration on "River Deep, Mountain High"... are other songs from the show an homage to the music and songs of the 60s?

Oh yes, and I told the record company we should make a compilation album called HAIRSPRAY:THE ROOTS that is made up of all the records that inspired Scott & I.

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 11:45pm

What information can you give me about your musical "Living Dolls" that you and Scott wrote. I have a set design book with a photo of the super cool set and it intrigued me. I assume it was some sort of Barbie and Ken parody. Are the rights available? Any songs floating around on any CDs out there?

"LIVIN' DOLLS" was a show Scott & I wrote in like 1980. It is the story of how Barbie met Ken as a Frankie & Annette beach movie.

The songs are very HAIRSPRAYish...

[mateo]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 11:46pm

brdlwyr-

that would be Adam Shankman's sister and Hairspray EP Jennifer Gibgot.

Adam originally turned Zac away- with numerous reservations and Jennifer yelled at him to get him back in for a second audition, basically saying 'youre crazy and will loose millions!'

[BroadwayEnthusiast2]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 11:47pm

Marc, I really want to hear those songs! Are there any floating around?

[mateo]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 11:49pm

Who played the Dynamites?? I know it was Nadine, Tanne and it wsa another girl who's name started with an A. What was her name? Anike or something??

jacob- her name is Arike Rice.

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 11:51pm

Thanks Mateo.

The cast is a marketing coup!

My wife and I died at the smoking, martini drinking expectant mothers! Hilarious!

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 11:56pm

what extras can we expect on the dvd release of the film later in the year?

I'm not exactly sure. The cut ballad for Tracy "I CAN WAIT". A (fabulous) scene where Edna tells off a cop when she sees how differently he is treating her from the black woman.

And I'm sure LOTS of behind the scenes stuff

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 11:58pm

Why didn't the Dynamites do their own singing, at least for the end of Welcome to the 60s

That was the one area Adam wanted to cast people right from the start who were not powerhouse singers (or singers at all). So Shayna Steele, Terita Reed and Kamilah Martin sang their asses off, and now watch their voices come out of other humans! It must be very surreal for them
Updated On: 7/23/07 at 11:58 PM

[mateo]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 11:59pm

Just the description of that scene- seems like it would really elevate and enhance Edna as a charatcer so much.

I look forward to the DVD- yay another 6+ months of waiting - BUT- I Can Wait.

God I'm Cheesy.

[DefyingEDCT]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 11:59pm

Ohhh I do hope they include the Marc Shaiman sung version of Ladies Choice!

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 12:01am

Were the weekend box office receipts on target?

[mateo]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 12:03am

but you know what Marc- the two blend beautifully.

The lead Dynamite, Nadine...It really sounds like that voice is coming out of her.

Even her speaking voice matches (from what we hear of it in Pinkys) Shayna's singing- and I assume the lead vocal is Shayna.

Updated On: 7/23/07 at 12:03 AM

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 12:06am

You've discussed the reason for the numbers that were altogether cut for the movie, but I'm curious as to why "It Takes Two" was so shortened? I really enjoy Zac's version on the soundtrack.

that's was all that was planned for the movie (that ending) but we decided to record the whole thing cause Zac is such a dreamboat!

Will there be vocal selections released for the movie? Specifically, I'm interested in "I Know Where I've Been" in Queen Latifah's key

Yes, I think any day now the song book comes out...(maybe not that fast, I actually don't know for sure, but soon)

[BroadwayEnthusiast2]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 12:10am

What are the chances for a London Cast Recording?

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 12:39am

I would just like to take this opportunity to say that my family, my aunt's family, and my uncle's family (i.e. three families of 2-4) all went to see Hairspray on Friday night without knowing that the other families were going. It was quite a shocker when we all met for dinner and ended up talking about the movie we had seen the previous night. We all agreed it was the most fun we had ever had in a movie theatre.

Anyway, what gave the creative team the motivation to focus on and develop the adult characters more than they are in the show?

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 1:08am

Saw it today...our group ranged in age from 5 to 57. Pretty accurate representation of the entire audience. Nice mix...and VERY nice response (Washington, DC). FULL HOUSE, btw!

Having seen the Broadway show many times, I was not "taken by surprise" at most of the jokes, but A LOT of people in the audience were. It made me realize how important it is that we have a filmed musical version of HAIRSPRAY that is being widely distributed. So many more people will get to see it. YAY! (It was the first Broadway show I took my son to when he was 3. I had to smuggle him in because he was "underaged." He told everyone in the lobby during intermission, "This is my favorite show.")

I cannot imagine many parents will object to their children seeing this film. It's about family, love, justice, equality, social reform, accepting yourself for who you are, commitment, dreams and being who you are meant to be...oh yeah, and it's also about FUN! ("Having nothing builds character!" A wonderful line.)

Anyway, my question for Marc, is--Do you promise to kiss at least one man on national television every time you win an award for the movie? I think you should. It was one of the "Greatest Moments in Tony Award HIstory," and I wanna see this idea taken as far as your inhibitions will allow. (That is, if you have ANY.) I know it would freak out everyone in France. "Mon dieu! Mon dieu! Ces hommes sont amoreaux!"

If for no other reason, do it to piss them off, okay?

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 3:25am

Marc, I'm curious why you made the choice to cut the VonTussle's verse in You Can't Stop the Beat.

[jaybrrd]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 4:54am

$27 mil, Marc. How's that feel?

Were will your new beach house be? And can I come over to swim?

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 8:10am

what are you [agents] holding?

Scripts for "Bye, Bye, Birdie"! We are there looking for our "Kim Mcafee". Velma says something as she greets us, listen then NEXT time you see the movie (like tonight...and tomorrow...then the day after that....)

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 8:14am

I don't know if it is okay to ask, but I was wondering if you could tell us some of the other stars who were considered or seen for some of the roles?

As discussed earlier in the thread, Billy Crystal was approached about playing "Wilbur". Otherwise, everything and everyone fell right into place. Glory Hallelujah!

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 8:21am

I stayed through the whole credits again, and I thought I saw that one of the "Special Thank"-ed was Major League Baseball Productions. Why exactly is that? I mean, I love baseball as much as the next guy (I'm from St. Louis), but what did they do?

that must be the name of someone's production company, I don't know.

And hate to put a (small) plot hole out there, but why was Prudy watching the Miss Hairspray competition if The Corny Collins Show is The Devil?

Well, here's my theory:As we know from reading everyday about disgraced politicians and hypocritical Television evangelists, sometimes people, behind closed doors, do just the very things they preach against!

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 8:22am

It may be too early to say, but do you know if there are any plans for a London cast recording?

who knows? I'm all for it!

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 8:28am

I'm curious, what are your thoughts on the the national tour of Hairspray going non-equity? Did you have any problems with this decision?

As it was explained to me, we had an Equity Tour long enough to be "allowed" the Non-Equity (or words to that effect). All I know is, after seeing the show with the Non-Equity actors, I now know there are fantastic performers out there who, for whatever reason, have not gotten an Equity gig yet or choose not to join that union. I also know the choice to go Non-Equity kept the tour alive and about a hundred people employed.

Also, I'm not complaning one bit, but how come it took so long for Hairspray to cross the pond? Also, will the Broadway creative team all be reprising their duties in London?

It's just the way it went down. Budget considerations, theatre availability, and perhaps the feeling (of some) that the show is "too" American? I'm just glad it's finally happening, and yes, the Bway creative team is involved all the way!

Updated On: 7/23/07 at 08:28 AM

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 8:38am

what gave the creative team the motivation to focus on and develop the adult characters more than they are in the show?

I actually don't really see that as the case, but I hope you feel it's a good thing from your perspective.

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 8:40am

Do you promise to kiss at least one man on national television every time you win an award for the movie?

sure, the line starts on the left