Hairspray Live! DREAMCASTS

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

"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

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.

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.

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

I think Arianna Grande would make a great Amber

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.

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

KChen for Velma.

I'm out.

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

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.

Uzo as Maybelle!

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.