Hairspray London Press Reels — Page 2

*crosses fingers*


How much is a trip to London?

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I have to agree with everyone and say the casting for this show is top notch! Michael is one of the best Ednas out there! Congrats Leanne!

Thanks Marcy Marc! Yes, they let us out of the convent for a half hour every night, so we can visit the local net cafe! Thanks for your kind words, we'll miss you, hurry back now!!!! Lotsa love XXXXx

Eh, I think after MJW, most of the Tracy's have been on the thinner side of plump. I'm not sure if that's because the producers are worried about a larger girl not being able to handle it or that I'm just seeing pictures after they've been doing it a few months and (apparently) lost weight.

Wasn't Kathy Brier the thinnest?

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Michael Ball looks amazing. I hope he joins the Broadway production.

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A couple of friends emailed me having seen the actual show at the Shaftesbury and said that on stage, in the theatre, the show is much more lively than it seems on the reels. Please don't think I was saying the production sucks or anything of the sort. I simply said that, while it's a spot-on reproduction of the original, the reel footage I was watching seemed to lack the almost indescribable "spark" that the American production has.

Maybe it's the fact that it's rehearsal footage, maybe the cast was still working on their roles, maybe they pump up the enthusiasm in front of live audiences, maybe we're spoiled by always seeing guerrilla footage from cam phones shot during actual performances... or maybe it's the same problem I had with "42nd Street" and "Chicago" and "Cabaret" when I saw them in London. Something was missing, something I couldn't put my finger on at the time but I have come to believe is the energy Broadway casts bring to the stage.

Sorry if I bummed anyone out. Marc's work is so brilliant, the lyrics so great, the direction so good and the dancing so fleet that audiences are bound to love it where ever a good repro of the Broadway version is mounted.

I still, however find myself (and I can't believe I'm even making this comment) thinking the Broadway version is like Glinda, saying "You'll be popular... just not as popular as me."

Am I the only one who feels this way? (Probably).

And to the ahole, er Wickedboy2 who told me to delete my previous comment... learn to live with free speech.

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Updated On: 11/3/07 at 03:14 AM

I honestly think Michael Ball has the best voice of all the Ednas I've heard and seen.

Sorry if my comment is totally based on the "Hairspray" clips. I have to be honest, I don't have much knowledge of what Ball has done otherwise.

>>> I don't have much knowledge of what Ball has done otherwise.<<<


Michael is not only a leading musical theatre star at the West End (who has also appeared on Broadway and with the New York City Opera) but is also a very successful recording star ( with more than a dozen best-selling albums) and a concert stage star.

His theatre credits include --

*Frederic in Pirates of Penzance (UK)

*He created the role of Marius in Les Miserables when it opened in London ( 1985) and has sang it in the OLCR, the complete symphonic recording, and the 10th anniversary concert ( all with released recordings).

*Raoul in the second casting of Phantom of the Opera, before its transfer to Broadway.

*He created the role of Alex in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Aspects of Love at the West End and on Broadway ( with cast recording)

*Giorgio in Sondheim's Passion at the West End ( with cast recording)

*He created the role of Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the West End, before it transferred to Broadway ( with cast recording).

*He was the replacement for the ailing Michael Crawford in ALW's The Woman in White at the West End in the role of Count Fosco, a role which he performed when the musical opened on Broadway.

*He did sing the role of Jean Valjean ( Les Miserables) for The Queen and Jacques Chirac at a special concert version of the show at Windsor Castle.

*He sang with the New York City Opera in Gilbert & Sullivan's Patience, performing the role of Reginald Bunthorne.

*He sang the role of Hajj the Poet in the English National Opera's staging of Kismet this year.

*And now he is Edna Turnblad at the West End

Quite a musical theatre resume, if I may so.

Also, earlier this year, he was the first musical theatre star to hold a full concert in the celebrated classical music festival called THE PROMS in England. Andrew Lloyd Webber was there to sing his praises at intermission ( he once called him an untrained Pavarotti ).

And in case anyone's interested, he has released two excellent albums of songs from musical theatre ( The Musicals, Centre Stage).

Updated On: 11/4/07 at 11:28 PM

Having worked with him on 'Aspects' in London back in 1998 i can only confirm that he is one of the nicest and most genuine guys working in the London theatre. Oh and he such a diva!!! LOL
PS. He also has some amazing live DVDs available. The Donmar DVD is stunning.

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The Donmar Show ( aka Alone Together) is one of his most stunning work ( check out Matt Wolf's review) - I think it may be available on Region 1 if I am not mistaken ( try Amazon.com).

It traces the life of a performer through an amazing array of some 50 songs, half-songs, and bits of songs, with an incredible 12 minute medley in the middle of the show. The show is presented without any annotation, just songs and pieces of songs to tell a story. Quite a theatrical piece!

Btw, the musical director for this show was Jonathan Butterrell who is now doing amazing work as choreographer on Broadway ( Light in the Piazza, Nine).

If Michael ever comes back to New York to do a limited run theatrical concert or one-man-show , this is the perfect piece to perform!

Updated On: 11/4/07 at 08:25 AM

Ive watched it time and time again. get it if you can. its the perfect one man show.

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Its a totally pathetic review and he is just being nasty because he can be. He must feel a right /////er seeing all the other reviews. he just wanted to be different , bless him. But instead he just looks a bit stupid, his comments are just incredible. like i said, i think he saw a different show. Never mind there had to be one didnt there!

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