I CANT WAIT FOR THIS!! Soo excited and it's only a week away! I am dying to hear the recording, but am torn if I should just wait till the Broadcast for the full effect, going in not knowing how they are going to sound.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/18/11
i hope they really do pad up jennifer hudson tho because motormouth maybelle is supposed to be a big woman
I don't recall Maybelle's weight being a plot point, as it is with Tracey and her mom.
Leading Actor Joined: 7/20/09
I don't recall Maybelle's weight being a plot point, as it is with Tracey and her mom.
Wilmingtom, Maybelle's weight is certainly a plot point in the show. The fact that she is larger and unashamed, while being a public figure on television, helps give Edna the assurance she needs to break out of her shell, fight for equality, and "appear on TV at [her] present weight." This is followed by Maybelle's line: "You can't let weight restrict your fate. Look at me; I'm on TV." Then, she sings "Big, Blonde, and Beautiful," a song filled with lyrics about being overweight.
She's ab. perfect for the role- Could not be more excited to see her Velma!
I have a big week coming haha - there's She Loves Me, my favorite local production company is doing Big Fish and then there's this to top it all off. Cannot wait. #cantstopthebeat :)
I agree the Kristin Chenoweth is just downright perfect for "Velma Von Tussle". As talented as Jennifer Hudson is I am reserving judgement on her casting as "Motormouth Maybelle" - vocally she's perfect for the role and she was physically right for the part 10 years ago, so I am assuming with her casting they have re-imagined the character altogether.
Garrett Clayton lacks the hunk factor that the role of Link Larkin requires. He comes off a bit twee to me.
On paper Ariana Grande seems a perfect fit for "Penny" and there's no doubt that she has a great singing voice but that seriously came into question with her performance on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Her vocals were lacking. They left me cold.
Everyone else in the cast is pretty much on the money. I am so glad we get to have Harvey Fierstein's
"Edna" saved for posterity.
http://people.com/tv/ricki-lake-marissa-jaret-winokur-hairspray-live-cameos-revealed/7
Exciting!
Where's Nikki Blonsky's cameo?! They have a cameo from every other incarnation!
My only issue with Ariana Grande as Penny is she reads ethnic and Penny is supposed to be a geeky white (Anglo/Wasp) type. Ariana totally destroys the entire interracial angle as she reads bi-racial. Between a slim Motormouth Maybelle and a bi-racial Penny - um, no.
BrodyFosse123 said: "My only issue with Ariana Grande as Penny is she reads ethnic and Penny is supposed to be a geeky white (Anglo/Wasp) type. Ariana totally destroys the entire interracial angle as she reads bi-racial. Between a slim Motormouth Maybelle and a bi-racial Penny - um, no.
Hi BrodyFosse123!
You raise a valid point in regards to Ariana Grande's casting as "Penny".
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/15/07
Theater_Nerd said: "Garrett Clayton lacks the hunk factor that the role of Link Larkin requires. He comes off a bit twee to me."
Did you see King Cobra?? Boy is very sexy in a total power bottom way.
nasty_khakis said: "Theater_Nerd said: "Garrett Clayton lacks the hunk factor that the role of Link Larkin requires. He comes off a bit twee to me."
Did you see King Cobra?? Boy is very sexy in a total power bottom way."
A power bottom does not a Link Larkin make. I mean, Matthew Morrison.
From playing a gay porn star in KING COBRA to playing the teen heartthrob on The Corny Collins Show in NBC TV's HAIRSPRAY: Live!. Boo-yah!
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/15/07
I mean, he gives off the exact same vibe as young Zack Effron.
Darn. I was hoping Rikki or Marissa were going to appear as the Matron in Big Doll House and that the surprise was the explanation for them not mentioning the number or including it on the track listing. I guess I have to let that dream go. Oh well.
I also agree that Ariana is reading a tad too ethnic for Penny. I was excited when they cast her, but I didn't expect she would retain the spray tan. Oh well.
BrodyFosse123 said: "From playing a gay porn star in KING COBRA to playing the teen heartthrob on The Corny Collins Show in NBC TV's HAIRSPRAY: Live!. Boo-yah!"
Well his "break" was in the disney channel original movie Teen Beach Movie so really this is more of a return to form.
and as for giving off the same vibe as a young Zac Efron... i was 15 when the movie Hairspray was in theaters and Zac is sexier than Garrett Clayton by far.
Broadway Star Joined: 3/5/04
I hope that they keep in Doll House and Mama I'm A Big Girl....2 funny numbers that were cut from the disappointing movie of the musical. Travolta, Latifah and Christopher Walken were awful.
I think the lighting they're using will help Ariana look whiter. Or at least I hope. They've done a spectacular job white washing the promotional photos, so I am retaining hope. Because every other aspect of her as Penny is perfect. Amanda Bynes was tan too, but Ariana is obviously much more so.
Here are some cute short interviews! I'm so excited.
I read what roles the two former Tracys were playing a week ago, but can't remember in what Article- maybe in People?
Garrett has came off flat from what i've seen, but dude is cute- in a totally gay, bottom kind of way. which isn't exactly how i would see Link. I always though Ariana looked too ethnic to play Penny, they should have just taken away the spray tan and changed her wig.
evic said: "I hope that they keep in Doll House and Mama I'm A Big Girl....2 funny numbers that were cut from the disappointing movie of the musical. Travolta, Latifah and Christopher Walken were awful."
agree re: Mama, that song could have been terrific in that movie. Walken was too old.
I liked Travolta and loved Latifah in that movie though (which i think is a terrific film)
Just finished watching the fantastic KING COBRA and now I'm super excited to see Garrett Clayton as Link. Seeing him swishing around as gay porn star Brent Corrigan and then singing and dancing as Link Larkin? I'm counting the days!
Mama, I'm a Big Girl Now is being included in the telecast. It couldn't have been used in the film because there was no way the filmmakers could've been able to figure out a way to film it without using a three-way split screen. Though it did end up as an end credits song sung by Ricki Lake, Marissa Jaret Winokur, and Nikki Blonsky.
Updated On: 12/1/16 at 09:22 AM
I never understood why i split screen would not work- it's very movie musical. using cuts back and forth and a split screen would have been cool in my opinion. they used that style for the Broadway promo for the song and it worked well I thought. LOL
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