Inside Hairspray-It's FANTASTIC!!!

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 9:07am

I've started this new thread to respond to a thread whose title I hate to see with my morning Diet Dr. Pepper.

As composer and co-lyricist of HAIRSPRAY, I will now graciously take the time to respond to the rant of someone who goes by the charming name of "nameless chorusboy". As much as I'd like to edit it for space, I don't want to be falsely accused of hiding from ANY of his BOMBSHELLS!!

Hello everyone, I am new to posting here BroadwayWorld, but I have visited a few times over the past few months. From my screenname, you probably guess what I do for a living.

and I also guess that nameless and chorus boy will describe you for a very long time

I just got back to NYC from Indianapolis. I went to see the first performance of the new tour cast of Hairspray, and I wanted to post some comments about the tour and the Broadway company.I am good friends with a bucnh of people from the show, so I see a lot of what happens onstage and off and it is really starting to bug me.

Good friends? You seem SO in the know, were you in the show? Just guessing. You REALLY don't need to answer. I'll take your word for it

When the show opened, it was great and deserved every award it got. Now, it is just awful. The producers are thinking with dollar signs and wanting to cut costs and the show is just BAD now. The company managers are AWFUL and need to be fired. All of the good people are leaving because they are sick of it all.

gee, differences in opinion between "managment" and "cast". What an original problem you have uncovered! I bet all the good folks in here, in theatre or not have NEVER heard of this kind of dynamic! And I'm SURE if a company manager wanted to speak, now and then a few cast members might come across as "entitled" or "too full of themselves". This sounds like ANY job, what is the big NEWS?

First of all, the tour. They have some REALLY great cast members. Especially some of the new ones. In fact, they are better than the Broadway cast. But the producers are trying to cut costs and the show is starting to look CHEAP. They are forcing out their good people in order to save a buck by getting someone who will work for cheap and the company managers are just plain RUDE to the company members. They routinely screw over people in the company and it is allowed to happen. The sets for the show are looking bad too. They keep trying to cut stuff to save money and the show is worse off for it. Now, the broadway production. They cut some costumes about 6 months back because they didn't want to pay enough costumers for the production....

First off, I commend you on the decoy of praising the new cast members, very crafty of you!!

Anyway, since you enjoy airing what you consider dirty laundry, might I add some lovely fabric softener to your soiled undies?

The changes in the tour sets were made in collaboration with the creative team, and do NOTHING to affect the overall impact of the show. Although you paint yourself as "all-knowing", you have NO IDEA how much our show costs to run, and how by reconceiving a few things NOT tied to THE PLOT we have been able to cut down in set up time, up keep of costumes (for instance, we realized neither Velma or Lil Inez needs a COMPLETE costume change EVERYTIME they walk on stage!) and most important, amount of trucks needed. I co-wrote the gosh-darned show and when I see the tour the changes don't even ever CROSS MY MIND! Most importantly, especially since you are friends with so many cast members, these changes will allow the tour to continue for a much longer time, keeping a LOT of talented people employed (though I suspect not you) and a LOT of audience members tappin their toes!

They just reworked the finale fairly recently and it is just plain STUPID. Why do they have the cast dancing in the aisles? You can't mic them and some people are walking over them on the way out.

well, ya can't win 'em all, this idea is going bye bye soon. I am not a fan of this 45 second idea but why are you so worked up? God Forbid something new is tried!!

The entire cast needs major work. Most of them are awful in every sense of the word - especially Jordan Ballard and Carly Jibson. There are a few bright spots, but the show needs to be heavily recast soon.

This comment of yours is the reason I had chosen not to respond to your first post. I do NOT like to continue the life of any thread that bad mouths a performer in the show, but as much as I enjoy reading and posting in here, I also realize the "impact" of posting on BWW is not as "strong" as some may dream. That being said, Carly & Jordan are beyond fantastic, they are both dream performers and it is with this statement you really showed your true colors. "Well, that's my opinion" you'll say. Well, opinions are like assholes, everyone has one, but did we need to see yours??

Margo Lion and company keep trying to cut costs and they are ruining their show. Word of mouth is not good lately and lower ticket sales haven't clued them in that there is a problem. In fact, they still want to make MORE changes that would make the show worse. GET A CLUE! If they want that show to run, they have to make major changes ASAP before it is too late. Hairspray used to be the best show on Broadway. Get it back to what it was before it is too late! It seems like Jack and Jerry want nothing to do with the stage version any more. Sad. Very sad.

Well, here is a ATC posting from the SAME day you posted here.

Yesterday my six-year-old daughter and I played hookey from work and school to go to see HAIRSPRAY...When we got to the theater, boy were we in for a treat. Rest assured that your current cast is in fine form -- lots of energy and enthusiasm. Carly Jibson has a fantastic voice and just the right amount of spunk for Tracy. Bruce Vilanch was perfect as Edna. And the rest of the cast acquitted themselves well; not a weak moment in the show. My daughter sat transfixed except for the times that she wanted to get up and dance (okay; one disadvantage of having an aisle seat). I finally let her get jiggy with it during the last song and the finale, as the high schoolers all around us were doing the same.

All in all, Hairspray was a welcome respite on a cold, windy winter day that got off to a terrible start, but ended wonderfully. Thanks for all your hard work. Can't wait to see what you have in store for us next.

Denise Smoker

Imagine, actually signing your name to a posting. This poor woman is going to be victim of the terrorism that so many anonymous posters put forth for the reason they don't attach their names to their opinions!

Well Namelesschorusboy, I am sorry that you seem to have recently had some kind of beef with managment. It is clear that you have no experience with the up-keep of a long running show. If you would have the balls to print your real name, I could do my best to suggest you to casting offices around town and maybe you'll get another job and can pick on someone else! Or I can invite you to a production meeting where the cold hard facts of producing will set you straight. It is there that you would learn that our fabulous producers only intent is to keep HAIRSPRAY's joy pure and around for as long as possible.

Marc Shaiman Updated On: 3/11/05 at 09:07 AM

[JeffG]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 9:12am

**claps**

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 9:14am

Thanks for this post, Marc.

[Justice]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 9:14am

*High Fives Marc*

[Corine2]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 9:16am

Well Marc,
It takes all kinds. I loved Hairspray. I have seen it three times and I enjoyed it everytime. The first time i saw it, i could not get tickets so i did standing room. It is the only show i stood for, and would do it again.

Corine
PS The new Link is dreamy. I could stand for him forever.
Richard Blake, what a handsome man.
(PS: I went to over 200 shows last year and Hairspray was among my top five) Updated On: 3/11/05 at 09:16 AM

[ckeaton]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 9:21am

Thank you very much for addressing this. I was holding my breath and hoping you would.

As for the age old company manager/actor dynamic, I have seen firsthand how bad it can get during short 5 week regional runs with smaller casts... I can only imagine how frustrating it can be on an extended tour. It exists everywhere, and is by no means hot news.

"You keep doin' what you doin'", and I'll keep buying tickets.

[tthomas76]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 9:22am

Well said.... I'm seeing the tour tomorrow and can't wait. It will be my fourth time seeing it. Twice on Broadway and Twice on tour. Keep it coming... It's one of my utmost favorite shows...

[TheGaIsSilent]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 9:25am

I love Hairspray! I've seen it four times (including the first preview and Harvey's last) and I've always had a great time. Plus, my chorus got to perform a medley of the Hairspray songs a few years ago, and I've always been taken aback by how generous and kind the Hairspray creative team is!

[BalletGirl85]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 9:26am

You're the bomb yo!!

[paradox_error]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 9:28am

It's SuperMarc to the rescue!!!

Thankyou Marc, I am glad you have addressed this...issue...or is it idiocy?

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 9:30am

You had me at "with my morning Diet Dr. Pepper."

[PleaseChangeMe]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 9:30am

It's sad when a composer has to defend his own show...

[JeffG]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 9:32am

"It's sad when a composer has to defend his own show..."

I don't believe "has" is the correct word. I don't think Marc Shaiman HAD to defend his show. I believe he wanted to address the issues of an anonymous poster. Oh. Look. Here's another one.

[commasplice]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 9:35am

(On the subject of Diet Dr. Pepper, Marc, if you haven't yet, you should try Diet Cherry Vanilla Dr. P. I am living on it.)

[broadway betty]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 9:39am

Yay Marc!!! You hear that "boy", Marc don't take no crap!

As I've told Marc, Hairspray introduced me to Broadway and has kept me coming back. I've seen it 8 times and I know I will many many more. In my opinion, it's still the best show on Broadway because of the incredible score, funny jokes, and gorgeous and talented people who give 100% at every performance!

MARC, YOU'RE A SUPERSTAR!

Updated On: 3/11/05 at 09:39 AM

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 9:45am

please, don't praise me!! The BWW Anti Brown Noseing Brigade will come out in fuill force and that is a slippery slope!!

I just wanted anyone who read the "rant" to get the flip side, that's all.

mmmm....Diet Dr. Pepper!!

[broadway betty]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 9:53am

Not even a little? It's well deserved! You defended your baby and I love you for it!

Hairspray is the show that all the other musicals bow down to. It's extremely tacky to come here and bad-mouth the perfection that is Hairspray! I love that you're here when we need you, Marc!

[Feathah]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 9:54am

Thanks for giving us your side of the story. :o)

[Corine2]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 9:58am

Not praising you. Praising your show.

[ashley0139]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 9:59am

Thanks for setting the record straight!

[Corine2]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 10:00am

While you are here can you tell us anything about the Patti Lupone show at Carnegie Hall. Or Can Scott?
I want info please!

[TheGaIsSilent]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 10:01am

Can't we praise Marc AND his show? (And also Scott, who is pretty cute himself?)

[Sluggy]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 10:03am

ROCK ON, MARC! (That's not praise - it's encouragement.)

My CD always brightens me up, not to mention it provides great memories from seeing the show last fall with my mom (who WAS 16 in 1962!)

THANK YOU!

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 10:05am

and remember, you can hate HAIRSPRAY all you want, I'll live!! I just disagreed with the rant of what seems to be either a disgruntled former emplyee or friend of same.

I'm just glad this isn't a Post Office!!

[FranklinShepard-Inc.]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 10:09am

It's a true privilege having a Broadway composer on the board. Thanx for posting.