Hairspray Tour Review (3-13-08)

[Baiseur82]

Posted: 3/14/08 at 1:23am

So this evening I saw the Hairspray tour, I have to say that I was really blown away by the cast. Now I have seen the show on Broadway many times, and I usually don't see any shows on tour but my grandmother want to see it so I took her.

Brooklynn Pulver ( Tracy Turnblad) She really was amazing, she is definitely one of the best Tracy's I have ever seen. She looked like she was having so much fun. I really loved her!

Sharon Malane (Penny Pingleton) She is definitely an amazing singer. She did really well with the comedy part of the role as well. She is my second favorite Penny after Diana DeGarmo. I would love to see her on Broadway doing this role!

Constantine Rousouli (Link Larkin) HANDS DOWN THE BEST LINK I HAVE EVER SEEN! Honestly this guy is amazing!

Angela Birchette (Motormouth Maybelle) I really enjoyed her. I love and hate Motormouth at the same time because I cant stand the way all of her lines rhyme (which I know is not the actors fault) but I love all of her songs. Angela is an amazing singer!

Edna was played by someone not listed in my "Onstage Magazine" an announcement was made prior to the show, but I do not remember the actors name, which I greatly regret. He was honestly amazing, I loved his "Welcome the the 60's" Another person i would love to see in this role on Broadway. If anyone knows his name, please let me know!

the rest of the cast was really great as well but these are just the stand outs to me.

Now as for the actual production I think it was good, I liked the sets and the costumes. They are not as spectacular as the Broadway counterparts, but I understand that this have to be scaled down for the tour. I really didn't like the lighting, there were a few missed/late cues and it was a bit sloppy in my opinion. There were some sound issues like some people were really loud while others could barely be heard. That usually was not an issue except for in the big company numbers because Penny would usually drown out the rest of the cast (it was not that bad though because she was really good LOL)

Overall this was a really good production. I'm glad that I got the opportunity to see this cast. As far as I could tell by looking at the schedule the tour is only running for like another two weeks, but if you get the chance go see it, I don't think you will be disappointed.

-Jeremy

[MungoGypsy8232]

Posted: 3/14/08 at 2:12am

thanks, great review! i'm glad i'm not the only one who feels that way about maybelle.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 3/14/08 at 9:35am

The tour will be in DC next month, I hope to see it then.

[Parks]

Posted: 3/14/08 at 9:50am

The tour is non-equity now, isn't it?

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 3/14/08 at 9:51am

Yes. I think this non-equity tour has been around for about 2 years.

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 3/14/08 at 10:36am

Thanks for your review! Glad you had fun!

[suicidalmickeymouse]

Posted: 3/14/08 at 10:48am

Yeah, I'm also going to try and catch it in DC. Thanks for the review!

[mwalker54]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 1:28am

Ummm....that guy playing Edna was Michael Walker. He is filling in for Jerry O'Boyle who is injured.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 1:46am

Kealla Settle (or something to that effect) played Tracy when I saw her - apparently now she's doing sound for A Cattered Affair, but she was great in the role. I hesistate to use the word "amazing" because it's thrown around a ot - but she was great. Her voice was perfect. Wish she was on the recording instead of the other chick.

[PJMPirate]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 5:05am

Are you sure? I believe two actors are covering Edna. One is a friend of mine, named Greg London. I'm not sure which actor the OP would have seen, as I believe they split the role pretty equally... OP, do either of these names ring a bell?

[TWSFan4Ever]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 6:35am

I saw the tour last Saturday (March 22) in Pittsburgh and Greg London was Edna (it was said in the announcement before the show).
Updated On: 3/26/08 at 06:35 AM

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 7:33am

"Kealla Settle (or something to that effect) played Tracy when I saw her - apparently now she's doing sound for A Cattered Affair..."

What? I can't find her association with Catered Affair on the website...

[mwalker54]

Posted: 3/26/08 at 8:51pm

"Are you sure? I believe two actors are covering Edna. One is a friend of mine, named Greg London. I'm not sure which actor the OP would have seen, as I believe they split the role pretty equally... OP, do either of these names ring a bell?"

Yes, I am sure that michael walker played Edna on March 13. And yes they are splitting time doing the role of Edna but not equally. One does 6-7 shows a week and the other does 1-2 shows a week. And both are doing a great job.