Hairspray - July 25th Evening Quick Comments

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 12:57am

Just a few quick comments on this evening's performance...

Today was Ashley Spencer's second day (third performance) as Amber Von Tussle, and she was simply great. Spot on. Great voice, nails the money notes, dances it well, and manages to keep Amber from going over the top into cartoon territory. A VERY welcome addition to the cast. Happily, she retains many of the things that I loved about Brynn O'Malley, and on top of it all, she wears the ORIGINAL, and much better Amber Von Tussle dress.

Also new to the cast Kasey Marino as Brad. Once again, a welcome addition and it will be nice to see him in the future.

This evening, Hayley Podschun was on as Penny. In all honest, probably my favorite Penny Pingleton. best of all, the girls has a voice that just doesn't stop.

Jerry Mathers is horribly miscast as Wilbur and I look forward to his leaving. Simply awful.. if you want specifics, ask. Otherwise, I'd rather not rehash the memory.

[BroadwayEnthusiast2]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 1:01am

I'm so happy Ashley is good. Too bad about Jerry, though...

[jg4892]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 1:04am

Original dress as in....? The finale or the corny collins dress?

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 1:09am

The first dress. Amber's original first dress was the much more structured blue-grean floral print dress. Ashley wears that instead of the light polka dot dress. I must say, this dress is better and hopefully they will keep it. It's much more flattering to the actress' figures... not to mention the character.

Just an aside, it amuses me NO end that both Link AND Amber are played by "Ashley"s.

I would honestly rank Ashley Spencer with Tracy Jai Edwards, Becky Gulsvig, and Brynnn O'Malley as the stand-out Ambers.

[Dolly_Levi]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 2:20am

Are you a Paul Vogt fan, bwayguy2?

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 2:29am

I LOVE Paul Vogt. He is one of my favorite Ednas. I wish he could stay around for all time.

paul has the comic sense, the voice, the vulnerability.. and he is a great, great guy. He is, really, one of the few Ednas that I love to see.

[Dolly_Levi]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 2:33am

How does PAUL rank in with all the Ednas you've seen on tour and the Bway?

[Mrs.LinkLarkin2]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 2:36am

I've seen Jerry twice as Wilbur so far and I agree with you 100%. I feel bad saying it, but he's horrible.

[OnMyWay]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 2:38am

hayley podschun is my favorite penny, too.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 2:42am

Dolly,
The only Ednas that I truly have loved are Paul Vogt, Blake Hammond, and John Pinette. Each was so different than the other, the honestly couldn't tell you which one would be my favorite.

Mrs. Link,
It's very sad. I miss the days of Stepehn DeRosa and Jim J. Bullock.


OnMyWay,
Yes! It's a shame she doesn't hold the role herself. However, as Tammy, she gets the money note in the title song and she gets to play Penny AND Amber on occasion. Hayley reminds me a LOT of how Jenn Gamabtese played the role, which I LOVE.

[Mrs.LinkLarkin2]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 2:47am

OMG! Stephen DeRosa was the best! I miss him!

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 8:25am

Thanks for your report.

I was hoping that they would re-incorporate ALL of the original costumes with the popularity of the movie. It was nice to see all the various costumes throughout the show, and once they eliminated a lot of them, it made a huge difference to me (at least).

[SaraBeth302]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 8:54am

Is Ashley Parker Angel still Link?

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 10:30am

Yes, he is.

[BroadwayEnthusiast2]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 11:31am

I don't like Ashley as Link (what I've seen of him.) Unfortunately, I'll be seeing Ashley Parker, Jerry, and Lance for my first time seeing it on Broadway.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 11:41am

Enthus,
don't judge Ashley based on short clips. Give him a chance. Granted, he isn't my favorite in the role, but he isn't the worst Link by any stretch. As we all know, the show has had FAR more disasterous casting - Duff and Mathers, for example.
As far as Lance goes, how can you hoestly say that? Because he was in a boyband he is bad? That makes no sense. He's only just started rehearsals. No one can say he is good OR bad. I, personally, think Lance will turn out to be a very good Corny, even if it takes him a few weeks to settle.

Dottie, the original opening dress is used in replacement of the polka dot one, so it isn't even an add-in so much as a replacement. Gladly, it one that I said should have been done. This is the Amber dress that SHOULD have been kept instead of that other one.

[BroadwayEnthusiast2]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 11:43am

I want Constantine! The thing is, I'm seeing Lance the day after he starts...

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 11:52am

Ashley is very good as Link. Nothing to be disappointed about there, although my favorite was Andrew Rannells.

[zepka102]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 12:00pm

Andrew was definitely my favorite Link.

I'm due to see the show again soon... it's been WAY too long.

BG2, you're missing someone from your list of favorite Ednas: JP!

[JP2]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 12:21pm

Paul is possibly my favrite Edna.. I loved him!

[jg4892]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 12:52pm

I miss all of the Velma and Amber costumes, like the pink one (I think) in the record shop. Those ladies wouldn't wear just one outfit.

[SNLMedia]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 4:36pm

I'm looking forward to seeing Ashley Spencer.

Now that Michael Cunio has left, who is going on as Corny until Lance joins the cast? I heard Jonathan Dokuchitz had left earlier this month.

ETA: Just checked the Hairspray website and noticed Michael has been bumped up to Corny! I will have to revisit the show soon to catch his awesome portrayal one more time.

Updated On: 7/26/07 at 04:36 PM

[FrancisGumm]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 10:24pm

Is Hayley Podschun the permanent Penny?

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 11:07pm

"Is Hayley Podschun the permanent Penny?"

No, Nikki Scalera [spelling?] takes over for Alexa Vega soon.
Alexa leaves August 5th to film a movie, but will return in Janurary.

[Mrs.LinkLarkin2]

Posted: 7/27/07 at 12:38am

Ashley is a very good Link and he will be there until October. I have no clue why they asked Alexa back for January. Maybe it's b/c I constantly compare her to Diana, but I always feel like standing up in the crowd and saying her lines...b/c I do them so much better than she does! I have faith in Lance (maybe that's b/c i've been a fan since I was 9), but it will be interesting hearing Corny songs being sung so low.