The "Handicapped" Kid in Hairspray
The "Handicapped" Kid in Hairspray
The "Handicapped" Kid in Hairspray#1
Posted: 6/3/07 at 2:42pm
I know it might be funny to some people, but when I saw Hairspray I didn't find it funny. The boy who is aimlessly wondering in the background behind the fence.
Does anyone know what I'm talking about?
I found it offensive and uncomfortable.
re: The 'Handicapped' Kid in Hairspray#2
Posted: 6/3/07 at 3:12pmhm, i dont remember that...
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/19/06
re: The 'Handicapped' Kid in Hairspray#3
Posted: 6/3/07 at 4:01pmnor do I in the 3 times i've seen the show...
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/2/07
re: The 'Handicapped' Kid in Hairspray#5
Posted: 6/3/07 at 4:09pmIt's been nearly 3 years since I saw the Toronto cast but from what I remember, the "handicapped" kid was in the detention scene where Tracey meets Seaweed. I think he had a joke at the end of the scene or something... God, it's been so long...
re: The 'Handicapped' Kid in Hairspray#6
Posted: 6/3/07 at 4:12pmthere's a handicapped kid who stands behind the fence in th dodgeball scene.
re: The 'Handicapped' Kid in Hairspray#7
Posted: 6/3/07 at 4:54pm
It's been nearly 3 years since I saw the Toronto cast but from what I remember, the "handicapped" kid was in the detention scene where Tracey meets Seaweed. I think he had a joke at the end of the scene or something
The kid who yells "Congress!", as the punchline to where do you go after special ed (or whatever the setup line is)- that kid?
re: The 'Handicapped' Kid in Hairspray#8
Posted: 6/3/07 at 4:57pmIt may be the same kid, but this guy is doing a weird pose during the dodgeball scene, I think. I only remember seeing i on tour. It may be new.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/6/05
re: The 'Handicapped' Kid in Hairspray#9
Posted: 6/3/07 at 5:04pmThe character you're referring to is Stouie, and is played by the ensemble member normally playing Brad. He appears first in the detention scene sitting at the desk closest to stage right, and delivers the punchline after Tracy asks "Where can you go after special ed?" ("Congress!") He next appears in the dodgeball scene and stands behind the fence.
re: The 'Handicapped' Kid in Hairspray#10
Posted: 6/3/07 at 5:25pm
I saw it on tour also,
made me kinda uneasy.
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/04
re: The 'Handicapped' Kid in Hairspray#11
Posted: 6/3/07 at 5:31pmbtw- the 'Congress' line was written by Bruce Vilanch.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/2/07
re: The 'Handicapped' Kid in Hairspray#12
Posted: 6/3/07 at 5:35pmOkay.. so.. what is the big deal? Are handicapped people not allowed to appear in musicals?
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
re: The 'Handicapped' Kid in Hairspray#14
Posted: 6/3/07 at 5:39pm
ugh. get over it.
i think the rest of the show can make up for the fact you were uncomfortable for a split second.
re: The 'Handicapped' Kid in Hairspray#15
Posted: 6/3/07 at 5:40pm
While I think it is funny I see their (the other posters) points.
Okay.. so.. what is the big deal? Are handicapped people not allowed to appear in musicals?
Well there is a difference between a handicapped person appearing in a show and a handicapped person being used as a joke in a show. In HAIRSPRAY it is being used as a joke.
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
re: The 'Handicapped' Kid in Hairspray#16
Posted: 6/3/07 at 5:43pmAll of you have to lighten up. Life isn't politically correct.
re: The 'Handicapped' Kid in Hairspray#17
Posted: 6/3/07 at 5:53pmi saw it on tour, also. he wasn't really portrayed as "handicapped"
re: The 'Handicapped' Kid in Hairspray#18
Posted: 6/3/07 at 6:05pm
I thought it was funny but then I started feeling guilty because I'm sure there were people in the audience who, because of personal reasons, saw no humor in the "joke".
Whatever, a lot of you seem to think I should lighten up and that's your opinion. I was just seeing if there was anyone else out there who agreed, I wasn't accusing anyone of be "wrong" or "rude" or "mean", but I personally began to find it uncomfortable the more I thought about it.
re: The 'Handicapped' Kid in Hairspray#19
Posted: 6/3/07 at 6:22pmOne time when I saw it he said "The White House!" instead of "Congress"
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/04
re: The 'Handicapped' Kid in Hairspray#20
Posted: 6/3/07 at 6:34pm
Did it offend you that they played "Keep Away" with him as well?
That's what happened on school playgrounds. Relax.
Chorus Member Joined: 4/21/07
re: The 'Handicapped' Kid in Hairspray#21
Posted: 6/3/07 at 8:59pm
i believe before that, the line used to be "what can you do after special ed?" to which he responded, "write musicals!"
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/04
re: The 'Handicapped' Kid in Hairspray#22
Posted: 6/3/07 at 9:09pm
Exactly Jaded!
And during the rehearsals for the first tour, they stopped and said, "We need something funnier than that."
Bruce, without hesitation, yells out, "Congress!"
And so a new laugh was born.
re: The 'Handicapped' Kid in Hairspray#23
Posted: 6/3/07 at 9:12pmDid Bruce help to write Hairspray?
re: The 'Handicapped' Kid in Hairspray#24
Posted: 6/3/07 at 9:12pmI don't think so, it was already set and open by the time he joined the tour.
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