HAIRSPRAY @ Signature (DC)

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/16/11 at 2:04pm

Anyone seen it yet? How is it?

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 11/16/11 at 5:56pm

It hasn't started previews... The first preview is Nov 21. You can follow the production blog on the Signature's website.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/16/11 at 7:03pm

Oh okay. I thought it started awhile ago. You saved me a trip across town!

[shrekster224]

Posted: 11/16/11 at 7:29pm

I've been thinking about getting tickets. If anyone goes to one of the first previews report back! From videos it looks pretty good, but it's hard to judge it off of just a few rehearsal clips.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 11/16/11 at 7:42pm

Here is the Signature site with dates - 21 Nov 2011 - 29 Jan 2012.

One of the most recent blog entries is a video clips of Carolyn Cole, their Tracy, performing "Good Morning Baltimore" at a night club appearance. Several of her vocal choice remind me of Katrina Diderkisen (the only girl to play / understudy Tracy in all four North American Equity companies of the original production), who sings the show like no one's business.

NovaL. Payton promises to be a stellar Motormouth.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/16/11 at 10:42pm

I just am curious to know how the design will be and how they will use the space. I always feel like the big "dance" shows feel a little too big for the space.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 2:20am

they have a picture of the basic set - stage and back wall on the production blog, so you can see the start of it there.. and as far as being a big dance show, the cast isn't huge and, ideally, hairspray should choreographed with variations of 60s street dances, not traditional theatre dancing, so it's a new kettle of fish. Hopefully it plays well.

[ILOVELINMANUEL]

Posted: 11/22/11 at 6:16pm

I saw the first preview performance last night. If the house size from last night is any indication, you better get your tickets now if you want to see it. They have a special $22 Tuesdays and a $30 student ticket price for available seats. I wouldn't rely on rush tickets for this one or discounts on Goldstar. The show was in great shape for a first preview. The whole cast is pretty terrific especially Carolyn Cole, Stephen Gregory Smith, James Rodriguez and Erin Driscoll. Nova Payton, however, runs away with the show as MotorMouth. Her second act song, "I Know Where I've Been," blows the roof off of the place. The dancing and choreography is superb and it sounds great in the space. My only qualms with the show were Robert Aubry Davis' Edna and some of Eric Schaeffer's direction. Robert Aubry Davis isn't terrible as Edna but he's certainly not Devine. Honestly that role doesn't make or break the show for me, but his performance is nothing to write home about. Eric Schaeffer's direction isn't particularly inventive and some of the scenes need to be worked (particularly the pacing of some of the scenes) but since it was only the first preview I have a feeling the show will tighten up as the actors get more comfortable. I definitely think it's worth seeing. I got full priced tickets (which have gone up pretty drastically at Signature)

[regnad kcin]

Posted: 11/28/11 at 2:46pm

I saw this Saturday night, and agree the cast was terrific. The pacing seemed spot on to me, so I suspect whatever tightening needed to be done after the first couple of previews has been accomplished. I disagree about Robert Aubry Davs -- I thought he played Edna in a nuanced way that managed to be both funny, yet still respectful of the character without going for cheap laughs. Overall a marvelous performance.
Updated On: 11/28/11 at 02:46 PM

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 11/28/11 at 10:54pm

How is Carolyn Cole as Tracy? Not to mention the Dynamites...

random question, but are any understudies specified in the program and what instrumentation is being used? I know they are using a 9 piece band..

[regnad kcin]

Posted: 11/29/11 at 12:36pm

I thought Carolyn was very good. Vocally she was marvelous, and her acting was good. But at times Lauren Williams as Penny stole the show -- her comedic timing was magnificent.