Hairspray in Toronto: Big Babes =Beautiful!

[sabrelady]

Posted: 5/6/04 at 3:48pm

Saw the last preview and waited till the show opened to post.WOW!
Terrific ensemble who handle the sixties style choreography with precison & verve ,right in the spirit of the "New Frontier". Orchestrations were tight & sprightly and the CAST!!!
Jay Brazeau is a wonderful Edna, maternal & shy, evolving into the Big Blond(ish) & Beautiful gal(s)he is. You don't forget Harvey(!) but he is spot on all the way. Vanessa Olivarez was a perfect Tracy- spunky cheerful determined and a great singer. Who knew American Idol would actually produce something of Value! Micheal Torontow was a Link w a less than wholesome sex appeal I've always wanted in the character. Jennifer Stewart as Penny was a hoot- she never lost her spazy hunched up shoulders until her transformation. Kevin Meaney was great as Mr. Pinky and I can see him one day covering Edna.(he understudies)
Others who stuck out were Tara Macri as Amber -Bitchiness-in-training but w a great comic sensibility .Matthew Morgan as Seaweed was a wonderful dancer but Fran Jaye as Motormouth was a revelation! I was tearing up over her "I Know Were I've Been" but it in no way brings down the show but pulls you up to the
sky! I liked Susan Henley as Velma but I found it difficult to understand the lyrics in "Miss Baltimore Crabs" & I KNOW the lyrics! Not sure if it was her singing or a sound issue. I Miss the extended catwalk into the audience in"Your Timeless to Me" It made the song more intimate and Tom Rooney as Wilbur was a delight. Younger and a bit more Physical than Dick Latessa.
I miss Jackie Hoffmans Prudy & Matron.(Also her adlibs to get on stage!)Charlotte Moore is a good singer & comic but she is almost too pretty for those roles!
Finally thanks to Mr Shaiman Mr Wittman Mr O'Brian Mr O'Donnell for the (tiny) Can content ref.
The show should run for years it certainly deserves too! Lets never stop the beat! Updated On: 5/7/04 at 03:48 PM

[ckeaton]

Posted: 5/6/04 at 4:31pm

It is a wonderful show... And they are a fabulous cast. I wish I could have been there for the opening... but based on the preview I'd say they were perfect.

[mmFan]

Posted: 5/7/04 at 8:30am

Thanks for the review. The critics were raving too. Can't wait to see it next month.