Hairspray... still strong!

[zepka102]

Posted: 8/3/05 at 7:53pm

(I've posted reviews of the current cast before, so I'm going to focus on who really stood out.)

I unexpectedly saw Hairspray again last night. This is now the show I've seen the most... only 5 times, not THAT impressive. However, I've seen Marissa as Tracy for 4 of those times, so I was EXCITED to finally see someone new. If you have the chance to see Shannon Durig, DO IT! Don't get me wrong, I loved Marissa in the role, but I really feel no mistakes were made in hiring Shannon to take on the role. Her voice is much more smoother. One thing I noticed is that she dances a lot more. If a character is randomly dancing, she'll join right along. (I didn't really pick that up in the past, so forgive me if others have done that.) Her dancing cracked me up, especially in the detention scene when she copies Seaweed's intro dance. I have never seen ANYTHING as funny is that... she really threw her whole body into it!

The other cast member I really enjoyed was Becky Gulsvig as Amber. I had never heard of her before, so I didn't know what to expect. As she just took over for Jordan (who I feel was a great Amber... also LOVED Tracy Jai by the way), I was impressed with how well she played the role. Her Amber seemed more innocent, but not enough to take away from the characteristics of Amber... if that makes sense. I really don't know how much more she can improve in the role, but if she does, she will be AMAZING!

Tracy Miller... I've said it before, but I will always love this girl! Everything she does and says leaves me dying of laughter... no matter how many times I see it.

Darlene Love has also shown growth in her role. I didn't pick up on any errors, as was always brought up in previous posts about her. She nailed "I Know Where I've Been." She threw in many of her own things also, which worked well.

There were MANY understudies on tonight. Chester was out and Eric Christian was on. He was really good in the role of Seaweed, but I did miss the backbend! Liz Larsen was on for Julie. Her performing was a lot more closer to Jackie Hoffman's characters, which was so great to see again. It was definitely weird to see Andrew Rannells on as Corny Collins because last time I saw him filling in, it was for Link. Corny came across a lot younger due to this, but he really did an excellent job also.

The rest of the cast was excellent and full of energy. I didn't see any signs of being tired or lipsynching and all of that. They definitely were having a great time. It also helped that the audience was so into it also!

Overall, this was the best performance of the show I have seen this summer. I brought along a friend who needed A LOT of cheering up. He never saw it before and he found it simply amazing. He was in a great mood the rest of the night because of it!

Again, congrats to Marc and everyone else involved. The show is still as great as when I first saw it !

[Thenardier]

Posted: 8/3/05 at 7:55pm

Darlene

I wanna see Darlene

Great review!

Updated On: 8/3/05 at 07:55 PM

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 8/3/05 at 8:07pm

I saw it about two weeks ago and it still rocks. The show really does bring down the house after every number. Darlene Love was fantastic, Shannon Durig was wonderful, and Bruce Vilanch is very, very funny. I'm glad you mentioned Becky Gulsvig. She played Amber bitchy enough, but not so much that you didn't like her. That's the problem I had with the previous Amber, she was unlikable and not in the fun sense (if that makes any sense). I also saw Liz Larsen as Prudy, etc., I wonder if Julie Halston is sick or on vacation? Larsen was funny and I prefered her to Halston, but no one can top Jackie Hoffman. Chestor Gregory is simply amazing. What an excellent show.

[Hank]

Posted: 8/3/05 at 8:08pm

Darlene Love was on Joan Hamburg on WOR radio this morning, I just happened to catch it (along with David Hyde Pierce and Dennis O'Hare). That interview, and this post just made me determined to go see it again. I only saw it once, just after it opened. Thanks.

[Joshua488]

Posted: 8/3/05 at 8:11pm

Yes, Shannon Durig is phenomenal.

How was Donna Vivino as Shelley? I saw Donna go on in place of Julie Halston when I saw the show, which was while Leslie Kritzer was still playing Shelley.

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 8/3/05 at 8:16pm

Personally, I liked Leslie Kritzer better. Her voice was stronger and something about her stuck out more to me. Donna Vivino was servicable. Good voice.

[Joshua488]

Posted: 8/3/05 at 8:17pm

So I'm guessing that Donna Vivino doesn't do too much vocal acrobatics during Shelley's solo?

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 8/3/05 at 8:18pm

No, not really.

And I also want to say that Barbara Walsh tears the crap out of "Baltimore Crabs." Amazing.

[zepka102]

Posted: 8/3/05 at 9:14pm

Donna is good, but the Shelley solo isn't as strong as it was with Leslie... that girl sure had pipes on her!

I agree, Barbara is great as Velma... she's the only Velma I've seen though. I do love what she does, but there's one part that does bother me during "Miss Baltimore Crabs." I'm trying to remember what part it was exactly.... I think right before she tells Tracy she's free to go. I miss her hitting the final note and it sounds like she just stops and tells her to leave. I don't know... maybe I've just seen it too many times so close together (but it's so worth it!) that I've picked up on too much! But she's still amazing and always gives a solid performance!

[harris007]

Posted: 8/3/05 at 9:53pm

TAG

ZEPPYS IT

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/3/05 at 9:56pm

zepka. AGAIN?!

[Joshua488]

Posted: 8/3/05 at 9:59pm

I totally love Barbara Walsh's performance as Velma von Tussle. Each time I've gone, I wanted to pay her compliments when she walked out of the stage door, but she walks out and makes a mad dash in the opposite direction. I guess she doesn't like fans. No worries.

[Crazy4MattMorrison52]

Posted: 8/3/05 at 10:19pm

YOU SAW ANDREW RANNELLS AS CORNY?!?! im extremly jealous. ive seen him as link 5 times and love that man. i saw eric as seaweed a few weeks ago, he was pretty good.

Updated On: 8/3/05 at 10:19 PM

[focusingonmoviesmatt]

Posted: 8/3/05 at 11:00pm

I love tracy miller as penny she cracks me up everytime. Shannon is ok as tracy but i really miss carly as tracy!

[zepka102]

Posted: 8/4/05 at 12:23am

I wish I would have seen Carly!!



Like I said, it was funny seeing Andrew in that role. He's so young to play it! But he did a great job... I'm trying to decide which role I liked him in more... Corny or Link :P!





HOLD ON EM... HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU SEEN CHITTY?!

Updated On: 8/4/05 at 12:23 AM