Jeffrey Karasarides said: "Observation said: "So did something happen with Nikki Blonsky? It seems like there's a shutout of her involvement with Hairspray. Interviews with Marissa Jaret Winokur, she doesn't even mention Nikki.
It just seems interesting she isn't invited to make a cameo in the LIVE version. Or maybe it's not interesting at all and I'm reading into it."
I've only listened to Mama so far, but WOW has Dove really surprised me! She's a terrific belter. Also Ariana is so perfect for this role. I just started Bells and I'm so glad they included the Penny dialogue at the beginning!
They/them.
"Get up the nerve to be all you deserve to be."
I just listened to big blonde and beautiful and i know where i've been. jennifer sounds absolutely phenomenal. she has such an incredible singing voice it gives me chills everytime. i was in tears listening to i know where i've been. once you listen to it, you will be speechless. those numbers will definitely be highlights of the show.
This soundtrack is way better then the movie and broadway versions Harvey has never sounded better, Derek shocked me in nicest kids in town and ladies choice sounds better then in the movie I love it. Maddie is beyond perfect for Tracy she kills every song she sings. Jennifer made big blonde and beautiful and I know where I've been her own and no one else can play motormouth other then her. my god ephraim is by far the best seaweed. Ariana surprised me and I love it as does dove and Kristin made Velma more like a pissed off beauty queen and it's amazing. Martin short as Wilbur with the little bark in big blonde and beautiful is funny and can sing. Little ms shahadi has vocals for days she needs to be in the upcoming "live action" lion king movie
Oh hells no. The Broadway and Movie versions are better than this one. This recording is "ok" but the production and the vocals are vastly superior on the original Broadway cast album and the film version is so much better...especially Nikki Blonsky as Tracy...and in my opinion Elijah Kelley's version of Run and Tell That blows the TV version out of the water.
Ariana actually has a suprising light voice that gets overpowered here. She's just too subtle.
I must say that while this recording is nice and all, the previous recordings surpass this one by a long shot. Maddie sounds lovely, especially her "I can hear the bells" but I can't say that she's my favorite Tracy.
This recording also sounds incredibly sanitized and somewhat overproduced. It ends up having a pretty cold feeling. All of the performances feel a little low energy to me as well.
I enjoyed it, but I'll stick with the fantastic OBC.
icecreambenjamin said: "Ariana actually has a suprising light voice that gets overpowered here. She's just too subtle.
I must say that while this recording is nice and all, the previous recordings surpass this one by a long shot. Maddie sounds lovely, especially her "I can hear the bells" but I can't say that she's my favorite Tracy.
This recording also sounds incredibly sanitized and somewhat overproduced. It ends up having a pretty cold feeling. All of the performances feel a little low energy to me as well.
I enjoyed it, but I'll stick with the fantastic OBC.
Jennifer Hudson is easily the best thing about this album. Still need to listen to some of the Tracks but I have no real complaints. I found Kristin's 'Crabs' great, but her 'Revenge' very underwhelming- I was expecting alot more belting
I prefer the movie soundtrack to the OBC but this new recording has some good stuff, J-Hud being the pinnacle. Someone write her a Broadway musical stat.
"Contentment, it seems, simply happens. It appears accompanied by no bravos and no tears."
Just finished! The songs are wonderfully done and the orchestra is great! But, dammit, still no overture! And why does Penny still sing the dancing part in Mama? Dancing isn't in her storyline like boys are.
Maddie Bascillo is perfect as Tracy! Very strong and fun. She sounded so nasally at the top of GMB, but she quickly caught up.
Harvey Firestein still has it 13 years later! It'll be such a treat. Martin Short is the perfect partner for him.
What can I say as Kristin Chenoweth as Velma?! It's Kristin Chenoweth as Velma. It's as amazing as it sounds. Dove Cameron is great and Disney Channel doesn't do her justice. But, I wish she sounded a little bit older.
Derek Hough is a Dream as Corny Collins.
Garrett Clayton is much much better in this than the Thanksgiving Parade. Great choice for Link!
Ephiram Sykes isn't nearly strong as Elijah Kelly, but still a good choice for Seaweed. Shahadi Wright Joseph is adorable.
Jennifer Hudson sounds excellent as Mama Maybelle. She does still sound too young in Big, Blonde, and Beautiful. But, damn! She took me to church in I Know Where I've Been. That belt!
But, damn Ariana Grande is a disappontment. Her pop star career defientely has taken over her musical theatre career. A part of me likes that her voice is light, but that's not what Penny is. She's dorky and loud. And Penny isn't that. Ariana is trying to be more like herself than the character. Her "I am a Checkerboard Chick" is so boring. Hope her acting is at least great in the show.
I have enjoyed what I've heard so far, but I agree there is a little bit more energy in the OBC but I would prefer this over the film soundtrack. I'm sure they will have more energy during the actual live broadcast and when I pick up the DVD I might just Try to record the audio from those.