'Hairspray' 2/11/07 - Diana Degarmo's Last Performance as Penny

[Mateo2]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 10:08pm

“Hairspray” had a lot of energy, this afternoon, for Diana DeGarmo’s final performance as Penny. Diana was brilliant as ever and pulled out all the stops in making Penny extra funny and extra nerdy. Diana usually sings within the guidelines of her part but, this afternoon; Diana put a little bit extra into her singing. In “Without Love”, Diana hit a few incredible notes that rivaled her performance as “Brooklyn”. In “You Can’t Stop the Beat” it was the best I ever heard Diana sing her solo. Diana is a natural for music and for comedy (her dancing is not bad either). I wish her all the best in the future.

After John and Blake I was very surprised that I would enjoy Paul Vogt’s performance as Edna as much as I did. Paul brought something different to the role. He used a full male voice, in certain situations, which actually added to the comic relief of Edna’s character. As for Jere Burns, all I can say is uninspiring. He did not bring any flare or energy to Wilbur. He just seemed to go through the motions. If it wasn’t for Paul, “Timeless to Me” would also lack energy.

Darlene Love, OMG!! Her voice is phenomenal. As far as I’m concerned, The Blossoms were every bit as good as The Supremes. Darlene usually scurries out after the show, but after 4 times of missing her, I finally got her autograph.

Updated On: 2/12/07 at 10:08 PM

[Candleshoe2]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 10:22pm

Thanks for the review! I've been dying to know how the show went today! Care to elaborate on what riffs Diana added in?

[Parks]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 10:54pm

ah, thank you for the review! Glad to hear she was great (as if she could be anything else!)

[nannerz60]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 11:17pm

Thanks so much for the review! Anything else anybody would care to share would be much appreciated. Sounds like everyone was in good spirits. Were there any tears? Anything out of the ordinary? In what way was Penny "extra nerdy?" :)

[NJRae]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 11:58pm

Thanks for the review. I'm sure it was an amazing performance. Really hope she lands in another show soon. Such a great performer.

Were there any curtain call speeches? More details please! :)

[Mateo2]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 12:15am

I do not know if you can actually call them riffs, but during "You Can’t Stop the Beat", the notes Diana was hitting were clearly audible over the entire company. In “Without Love”, near the end where Diana sings No, No, No never set me free, the last No is in the stratosphere.

I was sitting too far away to see tears, but there were a lot of extra hugs. As far as Penny being extra nerdy it was all in the facial expressions, gum playing, and body movements. It is something that you would not detect unless you have seen several of Diana’s performances.

No speeches at the curtain call, just a thank you from Shannon. Though Diana got quite a round of applauds when she took her bow.

Afterwards, there was quite a crowd at the stage door mostly waiting for Diana. Diana signed autographs and took pictures with everyone who wanted one. It was cold and Diana was not wearing a hat. I guess she did not want to mess up her hair for the after party. But she must have stayed out in the cold a good 20 minutes.

[madbrian]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 8:50am

I know it's only been 5+ years since the last revival of Annie Get Your Gun closed, but Diana is absolutely PERFECT for the role. I hope she gets cast in it, and soon, so she's still young enough (most Annie Oakleys are WAY too old).

[nannerz60]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 9:01am

Awww, thanks Mateo! Sounds great! Thanks for the extra details on Without Love, especially! Did you get any pictures?

Was anyone else there?
Updated On: 2/12/07 at 09:01 AM

[Buscee]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 9:07am

I was there too, and she was brilliant. There were so many tears during Darlene's "I Know Where I have Been", with alot of hugs for Diana. I was also impressed with Voghts performance,and I agree about the new Wilbur. He just seemed to be walking through it. I was also impressed with Ashley's Link. It was a great show all around. They do a great job keeping that show fresh after 1800 plus performances!

[broadwayfan2]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 11:48am

Hi were any famous people there at the performance?

[ABoyLikeThat]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 12:18pm

Thanks for the reviews, Mateo2 and Buscee. Sounds like it was an amazing, emotional show. Diana's really going to be missed. I heard the waterworks were really on during I Know Where I've Been and that the interactions between Diana and Tevin and Shannon were top notch.

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 1:20pm

I'm so glad I went last week to see her before she left.
She's amazing.


She'll be missed.
Alexa Vega has LARGE shoes to fill.

[ztJdBrVa]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 4:13pm

I love Darlene too. I haven't seen this show yet, but I'm curious: does Darlene Love have any scenes with Ashley Parker Angel, or sing anything with him in the show?

[Mateo2]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 5:25pm

Darlene and Ashley appear in a few sceens together but they do not sing as a duet. They will sing together but as part of the company.

[ztJdBrVa]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 5:50pm

Thanks.

Diane sounds like she was wonderful, and I'm sorry that when I do see the show she will have gone.

[renthead333]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 10:49pm

Caroline Reah sp? (the girl who took over rosie) She walked back into the stage door after the show. Diana was FABULOUS! She needs to come back to Broadway, but this time she needs to have a bigger part because she is so damn good! I just got back from NYC and I saw 5 shows(Hairspray{of course}, Mary Poppins, Les Mis, Spamalot, and Spring Awakening) I'll elaborate MUCH more on them later.

P.S. I LOVE DIANA!!!!

[renthead333]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 10:49pm

Double Post Updated On: 2/12/07 at 10:49 PM

[nannerz60]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 1:22am

Can't wait for more of your thoughts, RentHead...

[Mistress_Spouzic]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 2:36am

im sorry i missed her last performance. shes one of my favorite pennys