'Hairspray' in Toronto

[ckeaton]

Posted: 4/6/04 at 4:33pm

I'm going a week in from Wednesday! (4/14)
I can't wait to see 'Hairspray' in the absolutely gorgeous Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto!

I am looking forward to seeing yet another company put their spin on this wonderful show.

I'll report back, with my own personal opinion (read 'not review') of American Idols and whatnot (bearing in mind that they are in previews until May)...

I'm so excited. Now I'm looking forward to this dreary business trip.

[does this belong on the blatant promotion thread over in OT land?]

[Craig]

Posted: 4/6/04 at 4:37pm

To add to that, Caissie Levy, who is "Tammy" and the Penny/Amber u/s has sent me photos of a bunch of the cast in their costumes which will be going up on her website within a week. I'll post a link when they are available...

[Broadway Bound T.T.]

Posted: 4/6/04 at 5:00pm

Im seeing it to!!! I cant Wait

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 4/6/04 at 8:52pm

Have fun! Jay Brazeau is playing Edna and he's awesome. He just finished a local production of Hello Dolly here in Vancouver in November and at the same time he was auditioning for Edna. He told me he was cautiously optimistic about getting the role. Let me know how it is!

[ckeaton]

Posted: 4/7/04 at 9:21am

Please do Craig!
That would be very interesting...
I can't wait.

[krisjoseph]

Posted: 4/7/04 at 9:42am

Of course, us Ottawa folks are proud of our homeboy Michael Torontow, who's playing Link. He's a sweet guy, wonderful to work with, and has a voice that melts butter. Toronto is lucky to have Torontow

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 4/7/04 at 11:08am

Didn't it begin previews yesterday?

[Craig]

Posted: 4/7/04 at 11:10am

it had an invited dress last night and tonight (Audiences went mad as per one of the cast members) and tomorrow is the first preview. The show officially opens on May 5th

[ckeaton]

Posted: 4/7/04 at 12:34pm

I wonder if they will get notes after all of the preview performances.

I'm normally not a 'stage door hanging' type of person, but my hotel is 2 blocks away, and I have nothing better to do while I'm in town...

...I probably won't because I'll only be seeing their 7th public performance, and that's a trying time for all.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 4/7/04 at 3:14pm

Craig...how soon until the pics will be up? I am very anxious!

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 4/8/04 at 12:15am

well, I saw the 2nd dress tonight...as with any other show, I would never publicly write about a dress rehearsal

so I'll just say it was fantastic, the cast is magnificent and I floated back to my hotel

but I would never say more than that about a preview

except that the audience was happier than a squirrel on crack, that the band was note perfect and what can I say about those songs...?

of course, that's just my opnion, I could be wrong

Marc

p.s. I just ate pasta bolognese at 12:15am and want to kill myself

Posted: 4/8/04 at 12:18am

a squirrel on crack ?

[Phantom2]

Posted: 4/8/04 at 12:22am

Is that like a pig in ****?

PS I just ate frozen pizza.

[etoile]

Posted: 4/8/04 at 12:27am

Marc, two words - Maalox Max.

[Karma76]

Posted: 4/8/04 at 9:16am

I could show you some squirrel's on crack in the Boston common..they do exist.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/8/04 at 9:21am

Wow, MS, you sound like a shill. I'm no Nancy Drew, but I'd bet dollars to Krispy Kremes you're an intern or on the payroll of that show.

[Phantom2]

Posted: 4/8/04 at 12:04pm

Karma- I totally agree with your comment. They are out of control there!!

[ckeaton]

Posted: 4/8/04 at 2:10pm

Tonight is the night, first public preview...
Break a leg!

[Karma76]

Posted: 4/8/04 at 3:22pm

Phantom...you have no idea! Today had a run in with one which decided it wanted to enjoy the sun too and followed me on my walk. Every year I mess up, I forget how crackalicous they are while I am enjoying the warm weather and feed them some left over bread or whatever (not like I have a choice since they sit right next to you)....I don't know HOW I still have fingers. I equate them to the movie Warriors...I think at night they run all over the common having squirrel gang wars. I think I have heard the clanking of the bottles I swear!

I can NOT wait though for a full review of this cast! will there be a website up for them?

[klmcln]

Posted: 4/13/04 at 10:04am

I'm taking a trip to TO in a couple of weeks. I am so excited about seeing Hairspray (on May 1st)!!!!!! I'm also seeing The Producers, a dinner theatre production of Fiddler on the Roof, and Mamma Mia (even though I have already seen it once... :) )

[ckeaton]

Posted: 4/13/04 at 10:11am

Yeah,
I'm in the process of buying additional tix:

Mamma Mia! tonight.
Hairspray tomorrow.
The Producers on Thursday.

No boring hotel room for me.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 4/14/04 at 8:15am

You living on the street or in the clubs?

[ckeaton]

Posted: 4/14/04 at 9:08am

I'm living next to a dumpster behind the Princess of Wales Theatre.

J/K.

Mamma Mia was last night... a review coming soon.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 4/14/04 at 11:37am

OK, I usually wait until a show has a chance to get settled before I see it but Marc's happiness w the show has convinced me & I am going on the last preview b4 the opening. Can't Stop the Beat!!!

[ckeaton]

Posted: 4/15/04 at 10:32am

OK, I don't want anyone to jump on me about talking about a show in previews, but since I have almost nothing bad to say, I think you'll spare me.

'Hairspray' in Toronto is fabulous!
Vanessa Olivarez (American Idol) and Jay Brazeau are a fabulous pairing as Tracy and Edna. This performance is truly fantastic. The ensemble is pitch perfect, the orchestra is tight, the principles are hilarious and talented actor/singers... I could see this production every night of the week!

I'll keep the specifics to myself in public, but I will rave in private.

If you are anywhere in driving distance of Toronto, get there and see this production, before it sells out it's entire run!

https://www.onstagenow.com/Hairspray/

PS- This is very shill-like, I know. But this show, and this production, have given me refreshed hope for Toronto theatre.