The Search For Tracy
The Search For Tracy
#1The Search For Tracy
Posted: 3/5/10 at 1:57am
About Freaking Time!!!!!
MELBOURNE has confirmed its status as Australia's musical capital with the news that big Broadway hit Hairspray will open at the Princess Theatre in October. The adaptation of John Waters' 1988 cult film will be the sixth musical to open in Melbourne this year, and the fifth musical to have its Australian premiere in Melbourne in the past three years.
'It's a Cinderella story,' says the musical's composer, Marc Shaiman. 'At this point it's now been around the world and everyone seems to get it � even though it's about segregation and the civil rights movement of the '60s in America.'
The stage version of Hairspray ran in New York for more than six years - it won eight Tony Awards - and has since opened across Europe and Asia. A 2007 remake of the film, starring John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer and teen heart-throb Zac Efron, was the 12th most popular film in Australia that year, outgrossing blockbusters such as Casino Royale.
'The characters that John Waters created - whether he knew it at the time or not - are just incredibly endearing and interesting and funny,' Shaiman said. The various versions of Hairspray have always cast a male actor as Tracy's mother, Edna, and an unknown girl as the lead, something that excites Waters.
'If it's like everywhere else, we'll make a fat girl a star,' he said, ahead of auditions in April. 'Whoever is going to be the next fat girl star of Australia: I salute you.' As it turns out, producers Paul Dainty and Village Roadshow will launch a nationwide search for a talented plus-size singing and dancing unknown to star in the musical.
David Atkins will direct the production, with So You Think You Can Dance judge Jason Coleman to choreograph.
A prominent composer and musical director, Shaiman has worked on more than 50 films and had a good feeling about Hairspray from its inception.
'When something feels that natural, it feels that natural for a reason,' he said.
Shaiman's lyricist and life partner Scott Wittman knew there was 'something special' about the show. 'But it wasn't until it was in front of a paying public of all shapes and sizes that we really knew,' he said.
The pair are incredibly busy: there is a planned sequel to the Hairspray film; a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory musical for director Sam Mendes; and they are still tinkering with Catch Me If You Can, a musical version of the 2002 Steven Spielberg film about a young conman.
It opened in Seattle in 2009 but director Jack O'Brien and choreographer Jerry Mitchell - the original creative team on the Hairspray musical - are in London previewing Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom sequel, Love Never Dies.
Shaiman and Wittman are in Los Angeles for Monday's Academy Awards ceremony. Shaiman, a five-time nominee, is also the event's musical director.
'Every time you do stuff and think about the allegedly 1 billion people watching, it's kind of freaky,' he said. 'I mean, Scott and I have written an opening number and in two minutes more people will hear and see that song � than probably anything we've ever written.'
#2The Search For Tracy' Hairspray Finally to open in Australia
Posted: 3/5/10 at 2:35am
Source: http://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/arts/articles/2010/03/04/1267291929147.html
(Also, this pretty much also confirms Jersey Boys is moving on to Sydney.)
#2The Search For Tracy' Hairspray Finally to open in Australia
Posted: 3/5/10 at 2:43amIn better news, ANTHONY WARLOW will be playing Fredrik Egerma in the opera Australia Sydney season of A Little Night Music!!
#3The Search For Tracy' Hairspray Finally to open in Australia
Posted: 3/5/10 at 2:45amI was at Hats Off when most of that cast performed "Weekend in the Country." So close to seeing Anthony Warlow for myself!
#4The Search For Tracy' Hairspray Finally to open in Australia
Posted: 3/5/10 at 2:55amLa Cage should also open by years end or early 2011
chewy5000
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/1/09
#5The Search For Tracy' Hairspray Finally to open in Australia
Posted: 3/5/10 at 2:58am50 bucks Bert Newton gets cast as Edna Turnblad
#6The Search For Tracy' Hairspray Finally to open in Australia
Posted: 3/5/10 at 4:11am
And yes I know about the spelling MISTAKE in the title.
:))
alterego
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/5/03
#7The Search For Tracy' Hairspray Finally to open in Australia
Posted: 3/5/10 at 8:34am
qolbinau, even Warlow's presence wouldn't save that dire presentation. There is no way Bert Newton could handle that role at 74(?).
rosscoe (au) things seem to have gone quiet in regard to LA CAGE, have you heard anymore in recent times?
#8The Search For Tracy' Hairspray Finally to open in Australia
Posted: 3/5/10 at 5:08pm
"If it's like everywhere else, we'll make a fat girl a star... Whoever is going to be the next fat girl star of Australia: I salute you."
LMAO.
#9The Search For Tracy' Hairspray Finally to open in Australia
Posted: 3/5/10 at 7:34pm
Alter, from what I have heard La Cage, has been booked for the Comedy Theatre for either late this year or early next year ( March ).
alterego
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/5/03
#10The Search For Tracy' Hairspray Finally to open in Australia
Posted: 3/5/10 at 10:39pmMarch would make for a very short run as ROCK OF AGES goes into the Comedy in April.
#11The Search For Tracy' Hairspray Finally to open in Australia
Posted: 3/6/10 at 12:20amI know the Comedy was looked at for LA CAGE, how long do you think Rock of Ages will last?
alterego
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/5/03
#12The Search For Tracy' Hairspray Finally to open in Australia
Posted: 3/6/10 at 12:26amIt'll get a healthy run of at least 6 months in Melbourne I'm glad it is going into the Comedy. I love seeing musicals there (tho I fear this isn't really my cup of tea). I would never have thought JERSEY BOYS would have got the run it has. I doubt that POPPINS will get a year though (I have heard that bookings are "beyond expectations"). Too many think of it as a childrens show.
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