Hairspray - uncomfortable listening

[AngusN]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 12:33pm

Despite loving the musical. I do find listening to the OCR quite uncomfortable. Firstly (although least offensive) is Marissa's squeaky voice in 'Good Morning Baltimore', I'm not sure why, but it appears to be coming a trait of some Broadway leading ladies. Secondly, is Mary Bond Davis as Motormouth, her voice is very gravelly, to the point that I often find myself coughing for her. Finally, you have Harvey singing bizarrely as a woman. I appreciate the fact that they are playing roles, however, it could have been toned down slightly for the cast recording.
Updated On: 11/10/05 at 12:33 PM

[nydirector2]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 12:39pm

Thank you. I've always felt that way. I flat out refused to see Hairpsray until the replacement cast came in just because of the awkwardly bad singing in the show. I think it puts a damper on Musical Theatre when lead roles are being played by complete non-singers. I also just assumed I would hate the show for the longest time because of this little boycott. When I finally saw it, I loved it and have seen it four times sense, each time thoroughly enjoying it.

[CaroleeFan]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 12:43pm

I adore Mary Bond Davis. I don't think her performance on the OBCR is irritating in the least. If anything, it is pulled back from what she did on stage.

I am with you on Marissa though. Can't stand the woman; On Disc, On Stage, On Stacked, or In General.

Updated On: 11/10/05 at 12:43 PM

[Hanna from Hamburg]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 1:05pm

Carolee . . . you didn't even like her getting stuck in the garage door and murdered in "Scary Movie"?

[CaroleeFan]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 1:09pm

Oooh, I may have to see that. That sounds like quality entertainment.

[Hanna from Hamburg]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 1:15pm

Updated On: 11/10/05 at 01:15 PM

[CaroleeFan]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 1:18pm

Lol. She's even irritating when she's dying.

[Hanna from Hamburg]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 1:19pm

[Hanna from Hamburg]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 1:20pm

Don't take my response as hatred for Marissa. I personally LOVED her in Hairspray. I just thought these were funny!

[CaroleeFan]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 1:20pm

She's even irritating in out of focus pictures that she's barely visible in. Remind me why she won the Tony again?

[Hanna from Hamburg]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 1:26pm

Because she can impersonate a party-doll.

[CaroleeFan]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 1:28pm

Lol, that really is the first qualification to win a Tony, isn't it? I want to like her, but there is just something so fake about her, onstage and off.

[Hanna from Hamburg]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 1:31pm

See, all the best actress winners do it!!!

[Hanna from Hamburg]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 1:32pm

[Hanna from Hamburg]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 1:34pm

Guess who's going to win this coming year????

[CaroleeFan]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 1:38pm

Lol, though I can stomach all the other best actress winners.

[changinandhow]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 2:50pm

I've always thought that, mainly because Marissa's voice is far too nasally in my opinion.

And my brother pretends like he's barfing everytime he hears Harvey sing "Timeless to Me".
Updated On: 11/10/05 at 02:50 PM

[adamgreer]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 3:06pm

I think every other Tracy since Marissa has sung the role better than her.

While I don't like her voice, it doesn't distract me enough from not listening to the CD. There are still some wonderful, catchy tunes on there (You Can't Stop the Beat and Without Love being my two favorites).

[Candleshoe2]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 4:26pm

I think Marissa's voice is very different live than it is on the cast recording. When I saw the show, her voice wasn't as squeaky, it was much more natural. But, she does sound a little awkward on the cd.

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 4:30pm

Harvey is a chore to listen to.

[willact4food]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 4:44pm

i think marissa's voice on the OCR was a character voice...she doesn't sound like that when she's actually singing. check out her site--http://www.marissajaretwinokur.net to hear some of her other stuff. i personally thought she was wonderful in the role.

[Playbill9117]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 5:47pm

If ANY of you are spending this much time worrying over voice quality in this show, you've obviously missed the point. almost Every other show on Broadway exibits unreal characters in very unreal situations. And while most of us will never encounter a 300 pound singing record shop owner, or any of the other various characters featured in Hairspray, the show's purpose is to make a point about REGULAR people.
And while it's true that poor Marissa and Harvey were not blessed with magical, melodic voices like broadway favorites such as Ethel Mermon, Carol Channing and Kristen Chenoweth, I personally believe that they convey the messege of the musical very well.

Updated On: 11/10/05 at 05:47 PM

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 6:03pm

Although it's very character-driven, I think Winokur has a pretty legit belt. On many sections fo the CD she truly signs.

I think you're crazy about Mary Bond Davis...she's very mother-earthy in my opinion...and she's not the only belter iwth gravel in her voice...the legendary Jennifer Holliday is all over that (not that Bond Davis could EVER touch Holliday)

[broadwayfan8]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 6:46pm

I saw the OBC and they were amazing and hilarious. It's true that Harvey and Marissa aren't ready to sing Wagner, but both of their voices have SO MUCH character that it more than made up for any technical imperfections. Half the fun of Harvey's voice was that it in no way resembled a woman's, totally undoing any pretense of him actually being a woman and just allowing the audience to laugh with him. Marissa also had tons of charisma on stage. I don't mind the recording, but maybe that's because I saw the show first and can picture them acting while I listen to those songs.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 7:36pm

have you seen her Dressing Room visit on Broadway.com - its so funny. We have the same sense of humor.