Hairspray Live! DREAMCASTS

[GreatBroadwayFan]

Posted: 2/25/16 at 12:47pm

This thread is dedicated entirely to dreamcasts for NBC's upcoming Live! telecast of Hairspray this coming December 7th. Here's mine:

An Unknown/Fresh Face as Tracy Turnblad

Harvey Firestein OR Kevin Chamberlin as Edna Turnblad

Darren Criss OR Garrett Clayton as Link Larkin

Emma Roberts OR Lea Michele as Amber von Tussle

Emily Osment OR Lea Michele as Penny Pingleton

Jane Krakowski as Velma von Tussle

Jordan Fisher as Seaweed

Joel Grey OR Martin Short as Wilber Turnblad

Patti LaBelle OR Sheryl Lee Ralph as Motormouth Mabelle

Matthew Morrison as Corney Collins

 

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 2/25/16 at 12:55pm

It's a pity John Pinette passed away. He'd be hilarious as Edna.

[quizking101]

Posted: 2/25/16 at 1:01pm

"It's a pity John Pinette passed away. He'd be hilarious as Edna."

If I remember correctly, he did play the role on Broadway for a little while

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 2/25/16 at 1:11pm

Edna Turnblad:

Alec Baldwin

Harvey Fierstein

John Goodman

Kelsey Grammer

Nathan Lane

 

Wilbur Turnblad:

Matthew Broderick

Billy Crystal

Tony Danza

Kevin Kline

Martin Short

 

Penny Pingleton:

Anna Kendrick

 

Link Larkin:

Darren Criss

Ansel Elgort

Grant Gustin

 

Amber von Tussle:

Annaleigh Ashford

Taylor Louderman

 

Velma von Tussle:

Christina Applegate

Jane Krakowski

Megan Mullally

Seaweed J. Stubbs:

Corbin Bleu

 

Motormouth Maybelle:
Patti LaBelle

 

Corny Collins:
Neil Patrick Harris

Seth MacFarlane
Matthew Morrison

 

Prudy Pingleton:

Ana Gasteyer

Updated On: 2/25/16 at 01:11 PM

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 2/25/16 at 1:25pm

I'm curious. Is age being considered for these dream casts. I ask because Annaleigh Ashford is 30 years old and would make an unconvincing Amber Von Tussle.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 2/25/16 at 2:07pm

I think it would have to depend on if a 30 year old could still be able to pass as a teenager in terms of looks.

[RaiseYouUp]

Posted: 2/25/16 at 7:35pm

CarlosAlberto said: "I'm curious. Is age being considered for these dream casts. I ask because Annaleigh Ashford is 30 years old and would make an unconvincing Amber Von Tussle.

 

"

Annaleigh Ashford would make an unconvincing Amber Von Tussle because she just seems like way too nice of a person, in my opinion.

[pupscotch]

Posted: 2/25/16 at 7:43pm

Elle McLemore would be a great Amber!

[Homedecor22]

Posted: 2/25/16 at 8:22pm

Tracy Turnblad: a new comer

Edna Turnblad: Michael ball or Kelsey grammer

Wilbur Turnblad: Nathan lane

Penny Pingleton: Sofia Carson 

Link Larkin: Nick Jonas

Motormouth maybelle: Jennifer Hutson or roz Ryan 

Seaweed J Stubbs: Jordan fisher

Lil Inez: a new comer

Amber Von Tussle: Britany snow 

Velma Von Tussle: Bebe Neuwirth 

Corny Collins: Zac Efron

Male Authority Figure: Jim Carey 

Female Authority Figure: Ana Gasteyer 

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 2/25/16 at 8:45pm

It would be so fun to see Krakowski or Gasteyer as Velma- Krakowski's the more obvious choice and would kill it, but Gasteyer is always hilarious and has a fantastic voice. 

[smidge]

Posted: 2/25/16 at 9:00pm

I think Arianna Grande would make a great Amber

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Posted: 2/25/16 at 9:34pm

I wouldn't be surprised to see Meghan Trainor be courted for Tracy. She just won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist and would draw in a young audience.

[WinstonSalem]

Posted: 2/25/16 at 9:51pm

Honestly, there are so many great ways this could go! I know this is "dream" casting, but some of these could just never happen.  Ariana is "too big" for this, as is Zac Efron (also, dude does not sing live). The high school casting will be dependent on the age of the Tracy.  If they go older (like they did with Aaron in Grease), they could use some 25+ year olds in supporting roles; but if they go Shaneice age, that might be a problem.  Annaleigh would be brilliant, but she looks all of her 30 years. There are so many great options here for Edna and Wilbur!  But the only casting I am just dying to see is Laura Benati as Velma.  (Jane K would also be great! I would just love to see Laura kill this--even though I know she is probably still too young for the role.)  But I am just loving all of these suggestions.

[smidge]

Posted: 2/25/16 at 10:01pm

If Grande could do Scream Queens,  she'll have no problem doing this. Trainor is an interesting suggestion. I could see her pulling it off. They'll be looking first at who can help the ratings.  

[Jessetenny]

Posted: 2/25/16 at 10:18pm

An Unknown OR Rebel Wilson as Tracy

Harvey Fierstein OR Neil Patrick Harris as Edna

Nathan Lane as Wilbur

Ariana Grande OR Anna Kendrick  as Penny

Anna Kendrick as Amber

Darren Criss as Link

Jeremy Jordan, Neil Patrick Harris OR Matthew Morrison as Corny Collins

Elijah Kelley OR Jordan Fisher as Seaweed

(if she was shorter) Zendaya OR Quvenzhane Wallis as Little Inez

Jennifer Hudson OR Patti LaBelle as Motormouth

Bebe Neuwirth OR Ana Gayester as Velma

 

 

 

 

[gypsy101]

Posted: 2/25/16 at 11:39pm

The only person I 100% think should be in this is Jane Krakowski as Velma and I think it could happen only because obviously she was on 30 Rock for NBC and Kimmy Schmidt is also produced by Universal. Plus I think she'd be wonderful.

Updated On: 2/26/16 at 11:39 PM

[JSwanson]

Posted: 2/25/16 at 11:39pm

KChen for Velma.

 

I'm out.

[Plannietink08]

Posted: 2/26/16 at 12:25am

TRACEY: An unknown / Ryann Redmond

EDNA: Not-Harvey / Nathan Lane

WILBUR: Steve Martin / Al Pacino / Matthew Broderick 

MAYBELLE:  Titus Burgess

VELMA: Cher (was mentioned before + I'm game) / Sarah Jessica Parker

PENNY: Any generic and currently popular pop-star

[BroadwayMan5]

Posted: 2/26/16 at 1:05am

Knowing that some of these could never happen...

 

Tracy - newcomer

Edna - Nathan Lane

Wilbur - Steve Carell

Velma - Amy Poehler

Amber - Ariana Grande

Link - Darren Criss

Penny - not sure

Seaweed - Elijah Kelly

Lil Inez - newcomer

Maybelle - Mary J. Blige (but I also like the Titus Burgess idea!)

Corny Collins - Jimmy Fallon

[Jessetenny]

Posted: 2/26/16 at 1:43am

JSwanson said: "KChen for Velma.

 

 

 

I'm out.

 

"

YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. PLEASE.

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 2/26/16 at 2:02am

Everyone realizes that several of the characters are teenagers, right?  And that several characters are the parents of teenagers?  I think we need to start thinking a little younger.  For instance, Joel Grey, at 83, is a little long in the tooth to have a teenage daughter.

[Homedecor22]

Posted: 2/26/16 at 2:15am

Forget nick Jonas as link I think link should be played by Paul butcher if you don't know who he is he used to be on Zoey 101 as Zoey's younger brother. Seaweed should be played by Malcolm David Kelley who use be Walt on lost

Updated On: 2/26/16 at 02:15 AM

[Mrtrobz]

Posted: 2/26/16 at 9:53am

Uzo as Maybelle!

[justasmalltownboy13]

Posted: 2/26/16 at 11:31am

Cast a real drag queen as Edna. Heck, just cast RuPaul's Drag Race contestants as the female leads.
 

Darian Lake as Edna Turnblad
Ginger Minj as Tracy Turnblad
Mrs. Kasha Davis or Bianca Del Rio as Velma Von Tussle
Adore Delano, Violet Chachki or Alaska as Amber Von Tussle
Bendelacreme or Chad Michaels as Prudy Pingleton
Jinx Monsoon or Trixie Mattel as Penny Pingleton
Latrice Royale or Kennedy Davenport as Motormouth Maybelle
Jasmin Masters as Little Inez

Yep.





 

Updated On: 2/26/16 at 11:31 AM

[aheartel]

Posted: 2/26/16 at 12:18pm

I like Ariana Grande for Penny vocally, but none of her acting makes me think she'd be good in the role. Maybe her upcoming SNL hosting gig will change my mind, but I doubt it.

I do think Darren Criss is a good choice for Link, it's right in his wheelhouse. Tracy should definitely be a newcomer, at least to TV.