Hairspray surprise

[luluhed]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 5:05pm

I was surprised at what a friend told me about the performance of Hairspray she and her parents attended last night. They strongly disliked it (not able to post what she really said) and it seems there were a lot of walkouts.

Although I'm not a fan of the show either, I was surprised to hear what she said-normally all I hear are raves.

Yes, I know everyone loves the show! I wonder if the original cast was on hand last night, can't imagine why so many people would leave.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 5:13pm

My only compalint with HAIRSPRAY is that it was so heavily amplified. My ears literally ached!

[PJ]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 5:17pm

I haven't seen the show first hand, but from what I've seen at the Macy's Parade performance and Tony performance, the show annoys me. It's too loud and happy and peppy...not that I'm manic depressant or anything. But Hairspray just doesn't strike me as something I'd enjoy very much. I'm not into bright, flashy colors and annoying singing voices. Sorry, but I really don't like Marissa's or Harvey's singing voice at all. Her singing voice is too cartoonish for me. Updated On: 7/9/03 at 05:17 PM

[luluhed]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 5:36pm

PJ-Actually, that was part of the complaint by my friend. She's a young girl, but couldn't stand the loud and whiny (as she put it) voices.

My problem with the show is that the film spoiled it for me. For one, the movie's soundtrack consisted of actual hit music from the 60's, which I loved. For the show, the music was composed to 'sound like' sixties music. It didn't cut it for me. I also preferred Ricki Lake as Tracey. I think she was much more loveable, and she didn't do too badly with the authentic dances we did back then. Of course, she didn't have to sing in the film. And who could compare to Divine? Harvey's good, but there was only one Divine.

On the positive side, the show was full of energy, and I could see from where its popularity stems.

[McRuff]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 5:49pm

I was really looking forward to getting tickets to see it soon but now that I have read PJ's informed review based on the Macy's Parade performance I just saved a couple hundred bucks. THANK YOU PJ!

[ErikJ972]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 5:52pm

That's odd...I happened to be at Hairspray for a friend's birthday last night....didn't notice a single walkout....hmmm. Updated On: 7/9/03 at 05:52 PM

[PJ]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 5:57pm

Um...ok, look. I said I did NOT see the show. I don't know the score, but from what I've seen I have no need to see it. I sense sarcasm in your post McRuff. My post was not "informed" because I, once again, DID NOT SEE IT. It wasn't even a review. I think you should atleast see a show before giving a review for cryin' out loud.

[luluhed]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 6:10pm

Erik-I hope your friend had a great birthday! It's just as well you guys didn't see the walkouts~

Another word on walkouts. Hey, the day I saw The Producers, several people who were sitting in front of me left at intermission. I doubt they were changing their seats, since the seats were in the fifth row center. There are people leaving all kinds of shows-not everyone loves every show!

[BrdwyThtr]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 6:52pm

First of all, how can anyone critique Harvey's singing voice? He's supposed to sound bad! Second of all, you can't base whether your gonna see a show or not from the Macy's Parade. The freezing air REALLY affects your voice. In the theatre, Marissa gives 110%!

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 7:13pm

How can you dislike hairspray?! lol. I think it is great...And I haven't seen it.

[PJ]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 7:47pm

Aren't parade performances lip synced most of the time? Maybe Hairspray's cast didn't, but I know a few other shows' performers did. Ex: Sutton Foster and the Moderns from TMM.
Also, I can decide whether a show interests me or not by seeing them perform a few times. So shoot me. I don't like all that peppiness and bubblegum happiness that is Hairspray..or atleast from what I've seen. For example, I couldn't even watch their performance on the Tony's in it's entirety because it seriously annoyed me until Harvey came out of the giant can of hairspray. The show just doesn't appeal to me BrdWyThtr. Like luluhed said, not everyone loves every show.

[Broadwaylady]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 8:23pm

I just saw the show again on 7/3 with the original cast. Certain cast members are not set to leave until he middle of the month and it got standing ovations. The audience cheered especially when Harvey and Marissa first came on stage. Some of the actors did have high pitched whiney voices but that was part of the show, Penny and Amber, and it fit their parts. No one walked out on the show. Harvey's voice is Harvey's voice. That is what makes it enjoyable. If you like happy and upbeat, you will like Hairspray. Isn't that what a show is supposed to make you feel, happy.......Gosh, there is always a critic.

Updated On: 7/9/03 at 08:23 PM

[Becky]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 8:30pm

"Aren't parade performances lip synced most of the time?"

Yes, they usually are. I could be wrong, but I believe Hairspray wasn't sung live during the parade.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 8:31pm

The Hairspray Macy's Parade performane was lip-synced.

[luluhed]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 8:37pm

To argue about this is ridiculous. To the person who asked 'how can you not like Hairspray'-I reply that because you like something, doesn't mean others must feel the same . We all know that art is subjective-no need to try and have everyone like the same things. It'll never happen. How's this-I didn't like Hairspray, the Producers, Sweet Smell of Success, and others. The shows that I like are not all the popular choices. But so what? Why should anyone care if someone else doesn't share their taste? If you like Hairspray, fine-I'm not affected by your choice. Why is anyone affected by others' likes or dislikes?

[luluhed]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 8:41pm

excuse me, I just read back and saw that that person who asked how anyone could not like Hairspray hasn't even seen it.

[PJ]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 9:02pm

Thank you luluhed!

[TheatreNut]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 10:04pm

I am also on the list of Hairspray non-likers. I threw my friend's CD out of the window of the car the other day. I couldn't stand to listen to it once more. (All she listens to). Of course I had to turn around and pick it up again, but it was just the point.

[PJ]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 10:12pm

haha...that sounds like something I'd do.

[McRuff]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 10:21pm

I've never seen Rent. PJ, did you see RENT when they performed on the Macy's Parade? If so, what did you think? I may have some free time on a Saturday afternoon in a couple weeks and would consider half pricers if you thought they were any good at the parade.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 10:26pm

McRuff, PJ only likes to sit in "good seats". Are "good seats" available at the TKTS Booth?

BTW: Is is possible that PJ and FPF are one and the same?

[McRuff]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 10:28pm

Not that he's manic depressant or anything.

All I know is, the Macy's Parade litmus test is as good as any.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 11:11pm

I have never seen hairspray and yes i can still love it. I have seen much footage, the cast is great and well just because you don't like the concept of the show (whiny and squeaky voices) doesn't mean it is an awful show!

[McRuff]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 11:18pm

I have not seen the show but I have always wanted to but now that I hear that they were not good on the Macy's Parade I no longer want to. Now that I hear that the concept of the show is whiny and squeaky voices I have to ask, what kind of concept is THAT? What were they thinking?

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 11:23pm

Ok, let's go. the concept isn't "whiny and squeeky voices". Those were character choices by those actresses are are not prerequisites for those roles -- neither Katy Grenfall or Shoshana Bean use the 'squeeky Marissa-Tracy voice. As far as the Macy's parade goes. They did good all things considering. The number was poorly edited to make it fit in the time slot and as far I know, most of the cast are not experts at lip-syncing and only two cast members had trouble with the lip-syncing. The cast did great on the parade.