The "Handicapped" Kid in Hairspray

[TotallyEffed]

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.

[BroadwayEnthusiast2]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 3:12pm

hm, i dont remember that...

[Summer Awakening]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 3:17pm

I don't recall...

[purpleprince101]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 4:01pm

nor do I in the 3 times i've seen the show...

[JP2]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 4:08pm

I do not recall...

[Kevinoes]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 4:09pm

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... God, it's been so long...

[jg4892]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 4:12pm

there's a handicapped kid who stands behind the fence in th dodgeball scene.

[Anakela]

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?

[jg4892]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 4:57pm

It 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.

[SNLMedia]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 5:04pm

The 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.

[DefyingEDCT]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 5:25pm

I saw it on tour also,
made me kinda uneasy.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 5:31pm

btw- the 'Congress' line was written by Bruce Vilanch.

[JP2]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 5:35pm

Okay.. so.. what is the big deal? Are handicapped people not allowed to appear in musicals?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 5:36pm

I'm with JP2.

[willact4food]

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.

[TapTapTapioca]

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.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 5:43pm

All of you have to lighten up. Life isn't politically correct.

[BroadwayEnthusiast2]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 5:53pm

i saw it on tour, also. he wasn't really portrayed as "handicapped"

[TotallyEffed]

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.

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 6:22pm

One time when I saw it he said "The White House!" instead of "Congress"

[TheatreDiva90016]

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.

[jaded]

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!"

[TheatreDiva90016]

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.

[TapTapTapioca]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 9:12pm

Did Bruce help to write Hairspray?

[jg4892]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 9:12pm

I don't think so, it was already set and open by the time he joined the tour.