"Mama, I'm a Big Girl Now" - is it in the film???

[nealb1]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 5:36pm

Is "Mama, I'm A Big Girl Now" in the film? If you look on the track listing of the cd, it's listed as a "bonus" song.

So, am I correct to assume that it's not in the movie??

[theaterdude87]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 5:37pm

It's not.

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 5:39pm

Whoa. I was just singing this song and then I saw this thread.

That was weird.

[nealb1]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 5:40pm

That's too bad.... I love that song!!

[Just_John]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 6:20pm

That's really ridiculous..that's one of the best songs in the show.

[theaterdude87]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 6:25pm

Either Marc of Adam said one of these two things...

It either

A) Did nothing to advance the plot

or

B) Introduced characters to early in the movie

[theaterdude87]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 6:26pm

from mateo's blog:

Composer Marc Shaiman spoke with Theatermania’s Peter Filichia about Hairspray in a recent phone interview.

PF: What changes can we expect from Hairspray?
MS: Well, it’s been heartbreaking, but as of now, we’ve left out “Mama, I’m a Big Girl Now.”

PF: I’m appalled. I love that song.

MS: So do people with New Line Cinema, who said, “You can’t cut that song!” In a way, maybe we haven’t. We’re still recording it, with the characters who would have sung it, and we may run it over the end credits. But we really found it was unecessary to the plot, because “Good Morning Baltimore” sets the character. Movies have to get to where they’re going a little faster, and you can afford to be a little looser on stage with that engine getting going. “The Nicest Kid in Town” is still the second song, though.

[BillFinn]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 6:50pm

It showed unity for all three mother/daughter relationships and sets up for rebellion from all three of the girls. I don't think it advances the plot (action-wise), but it certainly adds to characterization for all of those characters. Also, it just reignites this whole idea of "BIG GIRL!" Which, in the musical, doesn't necessarily equate to weight, but speaking out against social norm.

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 7:06pm

Its not in the film.
But it's gonna be a bonus track featuring the Three famous Tracys: Rikki Lake, Marissa Jaret Winkour and Nikki Blonsky.



Hairspray Soundtrack to Include Bonus Track with 3 Tracy's

Updated On: 5/27/07 at 07:06 PM

[nealb1]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 7:37pm

I'm sure the film will be great. But, to have cut that song, wasn't the smartest decision to have been made. It's a great song...very catchy!

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 7:44pm

um...just thought I'd step in here....

No one wanted the movie to be one of these bloated things we all sit through these days where it seems like the directors and editors are in love with every frame and WON'T MAKE THE CUTS. My God, even Spiderman and Pirates movies are clocking in at crazy lengths.

In other words, to make the movie the right length, we basically had to cut over 45 minutes from what plays on the Broadway stage every night.

So, do the math!

As it stands right now, the movie is just about an opera, what with the musical numbers coming fast and furious, one after another. There is no intermission for breathing space. Something hadda give! It's gonna be O.K.!

And our director made a good point, which was the song made Tracy/Edna & Amber/Velma too much "the same" and for movie villians to be the most fun, we would be better off keeping them "apart". I thought it was a sound idea.

I am ecstatic about how the movie came out. The audiences that have seen it (and in temporary form still) have reacted like a great night at the show. And these have been "normal" people off the street who I feared would be like "why are they singing? why are they singing??". And they have loved it! The heart and soul is all there.

Marc Shaiman

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 7:49pm

Thanks for chiming in as always Marc. I am very excited to see it. By all accounts and thinks showing up, it looks first rate.
I felt that as far as deciding what was critial to the piece and not, the "Casino" cut really proved helpful, even though, of course it is very different and a totally different medium, it gave you guys a great chance to EALLY get down to the meat and bones of the piece.
"Mama" is a great song, but ultimately IS not NECESSARY to tell the story. Okay, it establishes that each of the girls likes to rebel a little. Every teen does.. it's common knowlege. We always see how much of a stage mother Velma is, how uptight Prdy is and always forbidding things, and we always see Edna discouraging Tracy's hair and behavior until she lands on the show. Yes, the songs draws paralells, which you say Shankman felt un needed her, and it sums up everything else playing out. watch the action and the feeling of the song remains, so excising it works fine. It isn't a major plot point on its own.

[mateo]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 7:51pm

I love how you like swoop in from gay heaven.

I wouldn't mind an epic-length Hairspray - in fact- show it in real time! So I can sit there and watch a bored Tracy in Geography class for a whole 45 minutes. I don't mind.

[theaterdude87]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 7:51pm

thank you marc.

i was praying you would come on this post...some people feel that they are the directors sometimes.

[Elphaba]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 8:24pm

well Marc that eases my concerns, as I love that song. But I also realize that anyone NOT familiar with the play wouldn't miss it at all (of course) and in that respect it does not add anything......(but I do love it, and frankly people here in Palm Springs give me strange looks when they hear me singing it in my car....). Can't say I blame them, lol

[mateo]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 8:49pm

Imagine the looks I get up here Elphaba. :)

[nealb1]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 9:17pm

Thanks for the update, Marc. I wasn't harping on anyone...it's just such a great song...very catchy...and, you hum it as you're leaving the theatre.

Can't wait for the film!

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 9:25pm

well, if you come see the movie, you will certainly leave the theatre singing it, since it will be the last of the three songs in the End Titles! You will literally be singing along with "The Three Tracy's"!!

[mateo]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 9:27pm

YAY thats a scoop!!!

come so far, mama I would assuem the third is the curtain call music?

I wont post it on the blog- in case things change. I dont wnat to get anyones hopes up.

Updated On: 5/27/07 at 09:27 PM

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 9:29pm

It's a fabulous song in the show but, I could see why it would be cut for film.

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 9:36pm

I believe the End Title will incorporate

COME SO FAR (which is beyond fabulous)

COOTIES (which is fanTAStic!)

MAMA, I'M A BIG GIRL NOW (which has an extra added surprise in it, even beyond THE THRE TRACYS)

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 9:38pm

"MAMA, I'M A BIG GIRL NOW (which has an extra added surprise in it, even beyond THE THRE TRACYS) "

Do you sing it too!?

[TapTapTapioca]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 9:41pm

Marc- When you say it is like an opera, do you mean that there is a lot of song and little dialogue.

How long is the movie running as of now?

[mateo]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 9:43pm

Cooties- Lucian's dance track? will that fit the rest of the sound?

[wickedfan]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 9:46pm

Tap- I think Marc means that there's already a lot of music. I don't think he means it is literally on the verge of being an opera. He was just making a statement. Although, I could be wrong.