Featured Actor Joined: 8/13/05
Tracy Turnblad - Marissa Jaret Winokur
Edna Turnblad - Harvey Fierstein
Wilbur Turnblad - Drew Carey
Corny Collins - John Stamos
Link Larkin - Nick Jonas
Seaweed J. Stubbs - Corbin Bleu
Motormouth Maybelle - Darlene Love
Penny Pingleton - Diana DeGarmo
Amber Von Tussle - Tara Macri
The article doesn't say who Mo Gaffney will be playing, but I'm assuming Velma Von Tussle.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2011/05/original-broadway-stars-plus-drew-carey-john-stamos-nick-jonas-set-for-hollywood-bowls-hairspray.html
I guess Tracy got left back a few times.
Mo is playing Prudy Pingleton/Gym Teacher/Prison Guard.
Stand-by Joined: 4/29/11
Let's hope Jonas does a better job as Link Larkin than he did as Marius.
Hmmmm, are we sure THAT isn't really the weekend the Rapture will occur?
Other than Jonas I have no issues with that cast. Darlene Love was the best Motormouth I ever saw. Her "I Know Where I've Been" literally brought down the house. I think Carey could make for a endearing Wilbur and Stamos should be fine in the fairly limited role of Corny.
Thinking of Marissa as a 47 year old Tracie is reminding me of a 47 year old Ms. Ross in "The Wiz"....
She will look like Nick's mother..
I wonder whose making these drug-addled casting choices...?
Never mind her age. LA already saw her Tracy. Would have been fun if they used someone else.
Other than Drew Carey, there is absolutely nothing interesting about that cast.
The casting was done to please no one but the people involved...it will be like old home week for some and then eye candy when they get bored talking about the old days of bumps at splash!
Stand-by Joined: 4/29/11
The casting of Seaweed and Link will appeal to teenage girls I suspect - but other than Diana DeGarmo, who is my favourite Penny Pingleton, there isn't much to get excited about with that cast.
People have to stop employing Nick Jonas.
Nick Jonas will definitely be the weakest Link.
For the most part the casting gets a huge yawn (with a few minor exceptions).
Marissa Jaret Winokur needs to move on already.
I agree with everything AnthVoice says about it being old home week. When it was originally announced, I was thinking of making the trip to LA to see this. Now, no thanks.
Darlene Love LITERALLY brought the house down? Were many injured?
Nick Jonas will definitely be the weakest Link.
Could someone put that on a shirt and wear it to the show?
Understudy Joined: 9/26/09
I think DeGarmo's Penny (the best one I ever saw on Broadway) and Corbin Bleu's Seaweed are going to be a standout pairing. I'm thrilled Diana was able to snag the role. Darlene Love is another one I can't wait to see again.
I'm trying to digest the Winokur-Jonas casting. They either needed to go older with Link (Matt Morrison) or younger with Tracy (Nikki Blonsky), but with this pairing there's going to be a substantial need to suspend disbelief. Too bad the Darren Criss talks didn't pan out.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/29/08
While I would like nothing more than to see this cast, it shocks me that they went with Tara Macri as Amber. I'm not saying Haylie Duff or Aubrey O'Day are the best, because in my opinion, they are far from it, but I'm shocked they did not go with a bigger name such as the two of them, who have previously played the role on Broadway. It's odd that they chose Winokur up against Nick Jonas as others have said already, and I agree, Blonsky should have been given it with Nick and Matt Morrison should have been given it with Winokur, but not how it is paired now, it's strange. However, she is a wonderful Tracy. I'm excited about Diana and Darlene, my two favorite people to play those roles. Wish I was able to see this!
Can't wait for a 38 year old Tracy to pine for an 18 year old Link.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/07
I know that Marissa hasn't had much going on since she left "The Talk," but still I think she's too old for the role and needs to move on. So much for Diana Degarmo moving on from the role. In an interview at americanidol.com she said that she loved being in the show, but it hurt her back after a while.
Updated On: 9/6/12 at 11:38 AM
Understudy Joined: 9/26/09
It's a 3 day gig, not a revival, and she hasn't played Penny for 5 years. Given what the rehearsal scheduled probably requires, I would think DeGarmo might miss the end of the 9 to 5 tour. It ends in August, right?
Winokur pining for Nick Jonas is going to be downright creepy. Is Tracy a pedophile now?
Winokur really needs to move on...it's getting to be like Jennifer Holliday playing Effie when she was well into her 40's.
Updated On: 5/24/11 at 11:57 AM
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/28/09
There is some good casting in here, I think, but not really any exciting casting.
Featured Actor Joined: 1/12/08
Really would've loved to see Criss as Link (making Winokur pairing slightly less creepy) and Morrison as Corny. Maybe even Allison Janney as Prudy/Matron/Gym Teacher. And I don't know if she can sing, but with her dancing, Chelsea Kane from Dancing with the Stars as Amber.
Stand-by Joined: 1/16/08
Allison Janney as Prudy/Matron/Gym Teacher would have been great in my opinion. Although I won't be seeing it, I'm actually excited for Corbin Bleu as Seaweed. He did quite well as Usnavi.
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