HAIRSPRAY tour and WICKED

[dvd]

Posted: 11/3/03 at 10:30am

being a bit of a HAIRSPRAY fanatic, me and a pal took the train up
to Boston (which was pretty painless) to see the last show in Boston
(my spies had told me this was my chance to see Keala Settle play
Tracey)!

well, turns out Terron Brooks was also out as Seaweed, so I got to
see two understudies. I was really shocked how good they were
(guess I dont know why I was so surprised)

Keala didnt miss a beat...a big strong voice (less pointed than other
Traceys) and very funny and sweet...and Willis White (who used to
be a Broadway swing, I think) was on for Seaweed and also had a
great strong voice and is VERY handsome

I'm impressed how they have found such a wonderful cast...Bruce
Vilanch has REALLY hit his stride. Though he doesnt (or really try
to) get the vocal tricks laughs Harvey gets (who could?!) he puts on
a great show and I dare say the reaction to TIMELESS TO ME was
as tumultuous as any I've heard on Braodway...the tour Wilbur has
also gotten really good, with more energy than before. And Bruces
curtain speech for Broadway Cares was fantastic, really funny and
made you want to contribute...all the young leads were collecting and
Austin Miller is so pretty up close I couldnt believe my eyes

I never thought when I watched the show on Broadway they would
be able to match it again, but it goes to show there are a LOT of
talented acors and actresses out there

I also saw WICKED last week and agree with most posters here.
Can't believe how the critics beat it up so, I thought it was gonna
get raves. My God, the audience was enjoying it so, I hate to think
people who would love it may not go because of those reviews

anyway, just my two cents. I still get nervous writing in to these sites!!

David