That has to be it. lol. So many clues in that image and it's relevant to the casting. It would be awesome if this were true... if you google "Kristin Chenoweth Hairspray Live" she appears on so many "Dream Casting" lists for Velma.
In regards to the script, NBC musicals are not traditionally done in front of a live studio audience, correct? Much of the Hairspray libretto is written with a sitcom rhythm, built around live audience reactions (and in some places, like the "Timeless to Me" reprise, directly breaking the fourth wall). Filming without a studio audience would render some moments of the show awkward, and I imagine it is being retooled to avoid that.
God, I hope that means Kristin is Velma. I can only begin to imagine what she would do with a role like that to sink her teeth into. It's high time they found a part for her in these live musicals!
darquegk, I think they announced this would be filmed in front of a studio audience.
As the title emphasizes: HAIRSPRAY: Live! - this will be a "live" telecast as all NBC live musicals have been. Only change is that instead of doing the broadcast from a soundstage in Queens, NY as they've done in the past, they are following the concept FOX TV used for GREASE: Live! and doing this live using various soundstages and locations on the Universal Studio lot. And for the first-time, they WILL be incorporating a live audience into certain scenes.
All ll this info is clearly stated in recent interviews.
Well, Bob Greenblatt said it is happening, but I'm surprised Neil and Craig would agree since they spent so much time being very "Oh no, we won't be doing that" especially after Grease Live!
Greenblatt teased that audience members would be part of the Hairspray Live! broadcast, as Baltimore locals and part of the audience of The Corny Collins Show. “They’ll be inside the story as opposed to just bystanders,” said the TV executive.
“We’re going to have people responding in certain scenes,” revealed Greenblatt. “I don’t like the idea of people sitting against the wall or in bleachers applauding. We’re going to work people into scenes, like crowd scenes and extras and background people. They’re going to just organically react to the musical numbers. There will be a fair amount of live responses.”
ClumsyDude15 said: "Well, Bob Greenblatt said it is happening, but I'm surprised Neil and Craig would agree since they spent so much time being very "Oh no, we won't be doing that" especially after Grease Live!
Greenblatt teased that audience members would be part of the Hairspray Live! broadcast, as Baltimore locals and part of the audience of The Corny Collins Show. “They’ll be inside the story as opposed to just bystanders,” said the TV executive.
“We’re going to have people responding in certain scenes,” revealed Greenblatt. “I don’t like the idea of people sitting against the wall or in bleachers applauding. We’re going to work people into scenes, like crowd scenes and extras and background people. They’re going to just organically react to the musical numbers. There will be a fair amount of live responses.”
This is their problem. They keep doing excessive stuff that doesn't need to be done in the pursuit of being "unique", that they end up being flawed. Viewers want live audiences because it doesn't make sense to have dead silence in great moments when an audience would normally respond. I don't understand why they need to have the audience be extras...just let them be an audience and go on with the show!!
I can't confirm Chenoweth as Velma but I can tell you, before it fell through due to numerous scheduling conflicts. Jennifer Nettles was in SERIOUS talks about playing Velma.
^ I guess I should say, as long as they don't cut that song out like in the film. If they did that, I would literally cry. Since that song was left of the OBC Recording and the film, we have no professional recording of the song and I think it is personally better than 'Miss Baltimore Crabs' as it really allows Velma to belt it out. but then, I've always been a sucker for belty showstoppery numbers. LOL