Harvey in HAIRSPRAY movie?- Page 2

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 2:19pm

Michael McKean was awesome as Edna. Got the comedy. Got the voice.

He would have been great in the movie, too.

I think it's funnier with Travolta - a quot, un-quote "heterosexual."

I mean, c'mon! Barbarino in drag! That's FUNNY!

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 2:23pm

I agree mejust. I do love Harvey, but when I saw him in Hairspray the people in our row could not understand a word he was saying or singing. It was very troubling. His voice is unique and well preserved on the OBC Recording, but live was a whole other story doing 8 shows a week. It was inaudible and there was little articulation or diction. In movie theatres,with Dolby and THX sound, it just wouldn't be pleasant on the ears for two hours, IMO.

[Wildcard]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 2:45pm

While I do love Harvey's performance on stage, I don't think I would've been as interested in the film had he been cast as Edna. I don't really like the idea of John Travolta in the role either but I will wait to judge that when the film comes out, or at least when we get to see a picture of John in full costume. I just don't want Edna to be played as a guy in drag. Edna is a real woman who just happened to have been played by a guy.

It would have been nice though if they gave Harvey a cameo, perhaps as the proprietor of the Hefty Hideaway or of the tv studio.

[mateo]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 2:48pm

The only cameos I really hope make it are JW and Ricki.

I won't hold my breathe, but its possible.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 2:52pm

I second that mateo, but I would also love a Mink Stole walk-on or even Debbie Harry.

[mateo]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 2:56pm

Mink Stole is on a video on that website we cant name... anyway she was talking about the new film with some BEAT dragqueen.. and she was kind of speaking ill of it - or at least the DQ was.

Updated On: 9/1/06 at 02:56 PM

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 3:10pm

That's too bad mateo. I love your avatar. Penny is looking awfully hot these days. :)

[mateo]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 3:17pm

thanks Betty!



Harvey just posted this in his myspace blog:

So, I get a lot of emails and messages from folks asking a great deal of questions but I guess the question I am most asked these days is: "Why aren't you going to be in the movie of HAIRSPRAY?"
The answer, my friends, is simply because THEY DIDN'T ASK ME.
As I understand, NEW LINE CINEMA raised the money to make the movie from Asian investors. These investors wanted an international star to assure their investment. JOHN TRAVOLTA is what they came up with. Good luck to them all.


Then he posted the pic of Travolta and the mystery guy kissing.




I love Harvey... but he sounds a little bitter, "Good luck to them all."

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 3:21pm

That posting raises a great point. We don't always know that investors are American companies. Travolta, while considered a big star here, is HUGE in Asia. He does a ton of TV commericials, etc. So I image that possible casting may need to clear asian or european interests prior to approval. Sometimes we are so "USA-centric" we might not see the big picture. Films are financed for an international market not just us. the world market would have no idea who Harvey is. Travolta is an icon from several generations.

[mateo]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 3:25pm

very true.


I follow the Japanese market very closely - and he is very popular and extremely mareketable.

Most films make their money back through overseas releases. I could see this film making more money there- then here in the states.

Updated On: 9/1/06 at 03:25 PM

[TheresaG]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 3:44pm

"Who could be Divine?"

I agree with that - maybe that's the trouble I'm having picturing Travolta.

That picture of John and mystery man - funny how that appears as he's flying off to the movie location - can you say "promo setup"?

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 4:10pm

Having asian backers makes sense of this casting. He may still be a big star there - but in America - he is a has been. He has a nice personality but the only parts he is has been good at he has played the same character. Its safe to say acting is not his strong suit.

[friedrichVT]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 8:08pm

Harvey would make a great Mr. Pinky. BTW, In what religion do Str8 men kiss on the mouth?
Updated On: 9/1/06 at 08:08 PM

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 8:59pm

Not sure why he wasn't asked or what the circumstances with all that were, but Harvey was doing the Vegas production of the show when the movie began rehearsels, so I don't think he would have been able to do it anyway. (His casting for the West Coast company was announced before Travlota's deal was finalized, I believe.)

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 11:21pm

The producers wanted Travolta - what a shame , hiring a talentless has been

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 11:55pm

Anyone else notice that Corine, from BWW, also replied to Harvey on myspace. BWWers are everywhere!

[Corine2]

Posted: 9/2/06 at 12:03am

Honey,
I am Harvey's number one fan.
Have been for years.


Harvey won a Tony award for the role.
His Edna was hilarious. The only other person that was his equal was Bruce Vilanch. I have seen most of the Edna's and they were my favorite.
I love Hairspray. I think it is a shame that they are using Travolta for the role. He might be wonderful but Edna should be Harvey or Vilanch. I'm sorry, no one else should even be considered. Just my two cents.

Updated On: 9/2/06 at 12:03 AM

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 9/2/06 at 12:09am

Me too, I saw parts of Torch Song at La Mama, long before they were combined to the three act play they are now.

[Corine2]

Posted: 9/2/06 at 12:14am

Harvey might not be a warm and fuzzy guy (Especially if you are a girl and can't help him) but I don't care. I love his work and he is one of the funniest hosts the Drama Desk ever had.
I adore him and respect his talent.
He is DIVINE in every sense of the word.

Bruce is warmer and fuzzier.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 9/2/06 at 8:47am

Wow! Jimneysf, thanks for bringing this to my attention. I still think he isn't right for the part though. He just isn't.

[Carl Magnum]

Posted: 9/2/06 at 10:01am

I still do not understand why no one had approached John Goodman to do this role, either onstage or in the film. Am I the only one who sees the brilliance in this casting choice?


On topic though, I think Ms. Travolta will be fine. If nothing else he's always entertaining, and if he really is a queen, here is his chance to let his flag fly.