Mamma Mia/Hairspray Toronto

[taperina]

Posted: 7/24/04 at 9:56pm

I was wondering what everyone thought of the current Toronto casts of Mamma Mia and Hairspray. I recently saw Hairspray and really liked it. I thought Jennifer Stewart was the most talented member of the cast. She was excellent as Penny Pingleton. I really like the current Mamma Mia cast. Anna Madgett is absolutely wonderful as Sophie...she has such an amazing voice. Nicole Robert and Corrine Koslo are just hilaious as Tanya/Sophie. Kim Huffman is a wonderful actress and I really like her as Donna. Last time I was there I happened to see Robin Hutton play Donna and she was AMAZING! One of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard! Her Winner Takes it All was outstanding. What does everyone else think?

[judy_in_disguise]

Posted: 7/24/04 at 11:06pm

I saw Mamma Mia eight times with Camilla Scott, and I haven't seen anyone else in the role.
I'd be scared to. I thought Camilla was perfect.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 7/24/04 at 11:15pm

How is Vanessa Olvierez (sp?) as Tracy in Toronto?

[taperina]

Posted: 7/25/04 at 12:02am

I thought Vanessa was great! However, that was my first time seeing Hairspray so I didn't really have anything to compare to. The guy that plays Edna is fantastic too...so funny! The whole cast is very talented...my favourite part is the final number...so much fun!

As for Mamma Mia, I saw Camilla Scott about 8 times and thought she was fantastic as well! Kim Huffman who currently plays Donna has the same look as Camilla which is interesting. She's a great actress and I really like her interpretation of Donna. Robin Hutton is my favourite Donna though...they should have given her the role when Camilla left. I was a big Camilla fan, but Robin is even better. I've never seen anyone perform the way she does. Anna Madgett is also my favourite Sophie...so talented!

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 7/25/04 at 12:04am

The Toronto production of Hairspray is SPECTACULAR! What a enthusiastic and talented cast, and what a beautiful and fantastic show! The formidable roof of the Princess of Wales feels like it'll blow off from the energy of the stage. I'm gonna have to catch it a few more times before year's end.

I thought Jennifer Stewart was the most talented member of the cast. She was excellent as Penny Pingleton.

Yes, she's been getting a lot of press lately (there was an article in the Toronto Star just about how great she is). People are calling her the latest find on the Canadian theatre scene. Who knows, she might even move to Broadway.

How is Vanessa Olvierez (sp?) as Tracy in Toronto?

Um, she's satisfactory. She's not awful or anything, but with the rest of the cast fully playing the show to its full potential, she's only adequately likeable as Tracy, not the irresistable gal she should be.

Updated On: 7/25/04 at 12:04 AM

[judy_in_disguise]

Posted: 7/25/04 at 12:06am

I just thought I'd point out that Anna Madgett is from Queen's University....my school

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 7/25/04 at 1:44am

I saw Hairspray in Toronto, at like the thrid preview or something. I LOVED the show going into it and LOVED it coming out. Vanessa was a superb Tracy, especially singing-wise (blew Marissa out of the water in that department). Edna was amazing too, very reminiscent of Harvey, without trying to be it seemed. The rest of the cast was...alright, but none of them had really gelled into their roles yet. i am sure by now they are excellent by now.

My biggest issue was with Micheal Torontow...who played Link...HE LOOKS LIKE HE'S 40...hah. Maybe I'm a little biased cuz i wanted that part so badly. But he was visibly way too old, not THAT great a dancer, and apparently he sweats buckets onto Vanessa all night 9said my friend a few rows back).

but still definitely worth your money to go see this show. Best show in Toronto right now for sure.

Akiva

[mmFan]

Posted: 7/25/04 at 9:40am

To date, I've seen Hairspray 1 time and Mamma Mia 10 times.

Hairspray was a great production. The cast was really energetic and had fun with the show. I thought Vanessa Ol... was great as Tracy. I agree with Taperina and thought that Jennifer Stewart (Penny) was the best performer in the show. I remember her from Mamma Mia and she's quite the actress. The actor that plays the mom was absolutely hilarious.

As for Mamma Mia, I've seen it once in New York and the other times in Toronto and in total, I've seen 5 Donnas. My favourite from best to less best (don't want to say "worst" because they're all great) is:
1) Camilla Scott and Louise Pitre (a tie)
2) Robin Hutton (current understudy in Toronto)
3) Kim Huffman
4) Tamara Bernier (previous understudy in Toronto)
Camilla and Louise have such strong voices and they both blew me away when they sang Winner.

Anna Madgett is excellent as Sophie and Corrine Koslo is the funniest Rosie I've ever seen! My favourite Sam is David Keeley (started in Toronto and moved to Broadway).

If anyone is in Toronto, I highly recommend seeing both of these shows. They're both such a fun time!!!!!!!!

[Roxie]

Posted: 7/25/04 at 11:20am

I also saw camilla Scott and loved her. I saw it twice and Her Winner takes it all practically brought me to tears.

[judy_in_disguise]

Posted: 7/25/04 at 12:14pm

it did bring me to tears.

[mmFan]

Posted: 7/26/04 at 8:28pm

I had the amazing fortune of seeing Camilla Scott perform and sing again yesterday. She's currently staring in Much Ado About Nothing in Newmarket and is amazing (she does sing one song). As well, she performed in a concert in the evening. What a treat to hear her sing again. To top off the night, I had the chance to meet her. She's such a nice lady...and soooooo talented too!
..Sorry, I know I"m off topic a bit.

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 7/26/04 at 8:32pm

Everyone read my Stratford reviews of Guys & Dolls and Timon of Athens! Sorry for the plug, but I was sad that so few people actually read it. It's buried under the threads somewhere, I could repost it if you'd like.

[judy_in_disguise]

Posted: 7/26/04 at 10:39pm

wow, what is she doing in Newmarket? that's so random!

I saw Camilla play Polly in Crazy for You in 92 (with Mickey Rooney as Everett). I just adore her.

[mmFan]

Posted: 7/27/04 at 8:28am

Camilla is currently staring in Much Ado About Nothing at Fairy Lake. It's a small theatre in the park, but the production was fully professional. She was truely amazing! The play runs until Aug 7th and she stars with her husband Paul Eves. If you're in the Toronto/Newmarket vicinity, I highly recommend seeing it. I'm with you...she's fantastic!
Here's the link: http://www.resurgence.on.ca/2004/b-scott.htm

How was she in Crazy for You?

[judy_in_disguise]

Posted: 7/27/04 at 9:35am

ah! thanks for the link, I'm in eastern Ontario right now but I'm heading back home (the T-dot) pretty soon, so that'd be great to check out! (After I hit up Stratford, Urinetown and Hairspray of course!)

I was pretty young when I saw her in Crazy for You. But it was that production that made me fall in love with the show (I saw it twice). She is a phenomenal talent, I remember her dancing matched her singing, and her acting was also fabulous. She's one of the reasons Polly is on the list of characters I have to play before I die/get too old!

[guido22]

Posted: 7/27/04 at 5:07pm

I also saw Camilla Scott as Donna and I thought she was just AMAZING. She has great energy and one great voice!