Penny for Your Thoughts: Tracy Gets a New Best Pal in Bway's Hairspray July 15 - playbill.com

[macbeth]

Posted: 7/15/03 at 10:14pm

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/80687.html has anybody seen her?

[BillyLawlor]

Posted: 7/15/03 at 10:28pm

I've seen her; just not in Hairspray. I saw her in Fame at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and she did a great job. She wasn't belting, though. But she has such a nice voice and I can't wait to hear her belt. Acting wise, I think she'd be perfect.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 7/15/03 at 10:46pm

The girl CAN belt.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 7/15/03 at 11:00pm

I know she will be good. I wish they could make a cast recording for every new person lol. :)

[Duane Reade]

Posted: 7/15/03 at 11:00pm

macbeth,

are we supposed to pretend like that's news?

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 7/15/03 at 11:01pm

I have already heard some good stuff about te new cast.
Hopefully Amneris can post a full report here.

[Amneris]

Posted: 7/16/03 at 12:41am

im working tomorrow matinee..i know they spent the past 2 days filming the new cast TV commercial... I am SO excited to see the new members..i KNOW jenn will be amazing because she is always great in any role she does...plus, the other day she was downstairs with the crew getting notes and suggesting various ways she could change the role of penny.She had wonderful ideas on how to make the part her own. She is great and im excited she got the chance to come back and do this.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 7/16/03 at 12:44am

Please be sure to fill us in!

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 7/16/03 at 12:17pm

Amneris, you work at the Neil Simon? What exactly do you do?

[BillyLawlor]

Posted: 7/16/03 at 5:27pm

Someone posted a review in the "All That Chat" section of talkinbroadway.com. They said that although not as animated, Jennifer Gabatese was seamless and sang the role great.

[BrdwyThtr]

Posted: 7/16/03 at 7:14pm

Yea, I heard she was excellent in the role. The only problem is that she's not as "dumb" as Kerry was.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 7/16/03 at 7:18pm

I just relized that when I saw fame, Jenn was Serena. I knew she played her, but I figured that Gavin wasn't Nick then so she was not Serena. I looked at my program and she did play Serena! She was awesome!

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 7/16/03 at 7:45pm

Amneris works at the souvenir stand.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 7/16/03 at 7:48pm

What a job!!

[Amneris]

Posted: 7/16/03 at 9:53pm

as promised...saw the newest members of the cast today, i am PLEASED to say THEY ARE WONDERFUL!!! Ms.Walsh is FANTASTIC. She has the part down so well and has incredible vocal power. If i'm not correct, wasn't she supposed to come to bway in "Rhythm Club" then it got cancelled? If so, I am so thrilled she got this current break (one of her many breaks!!!) she already made Velma her own. I love love love Linda Hart so much but, I am happy she has someone so wonderful to fill her shoes.

Corey was the man..but Chester is such a pleasure to watch as well. He looks like the guy who played Murray in the movie "Clueless". He is real cute, real funny and THAT BOY CAN DANCE / RIFF!! He does a split jump off the record stand on to the floor then jumps back up into a turn...it's really great to watch during "Run And Tell That" he is wonderful. I know Corey had a lot of die-hard fans but you will not be upset!!

Jenn Gambetese...this girl can SING!!! She is so adorable NUFF SAID!!! All those who waited "for good things to come" got it! No one can replace Ms.Butler but Jenn just brings something new to the role while still leaving a little bit of Kerry for us behind. Kerry left the role in excellent hands.

Tracy Jai Edwards is a gorgeous brunette (of course wears a wig), She's tall and has a normal size build...meaning she's not a size 2 thank god!!..she has all different costumes from laura bell. She sounds very similar to Laura Bell when she talks and sings. I think with a few more shows, she will be perfect she's already wonderful.

So that's my review I hope you all get to come see these new people!!!!!

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 7/16/03 at 9:58pm

Sounds like they are just as good! Everyone was so upset that the original cast was leaving, but I bet it is still great!

[BillyLawlor]

Posted: 7/16/03 at 10:59pm

I am MOST excited about Jen Gambatese. I've never heard her belt. I wanna hear! I also hope pictures come soon!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/18/03 at 8:16pm

I saw Jenn Gambatese in Fame and yes, she BELTED, she will be a good Penny! :)