Thoughts On The Final Performance Of HAIRSPRAY

What an incredible afternoon! There were several mid-show standing ovations. At the end of "You Can't Stop The Beat," all of the past cast members that were in the audience came up on stage and did the last verse again all together, with the full choreography. Laura Bell Bundy was up there, Linda Hart, Kerry Butler, Aaron Tveit, Andrew Rannells, George Wendt, Paul Vogt, all of the past Tracys, along with Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman, Jerry Mitchell, Thomas Meehan, Mark O'Donnell, and Jack O'Brien. Marissa brought her son up on stage, who was dressed in a little white tux (adorable!). Harvey then gave a very moving speech. And then everyone did the last verse of "You Can't Stop" one last time with Jerry Mitchell downstage facing the cast, and the cast facing the audience.

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Updated On: 1/4/09 at 07:16 PM

Jackie Hoffman was also in the audience, but I'm not sure whether she came up on stage at the end.

Sarah Jessica Parker was there, too.

When Marissa brought her son up on stage, Harvey said to the audience, "That's my grandson."

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As do I. I wish it hadn't closed. I wish it closed after I had seen it. Atleast I still have the OBCR to remember. I also got a few Playbils from when Alexa Vega and Diana DeGarmo where in the show. I love Hairspray and will miss it.

Was Hailey Duff there? It ain't a party withut the Duffster.

I haven't seen the show since 2002 so I am a bit rusty on the book. Other than Marissa's obvious ad-lib "From this moment on, the Corny Collins show....and the White House...are fully integrated", were there any other last-show 'additions'? I don't remember Edna's line about 'I don't know any Asians. A Puerto Rican, maybe', nor do I remember the Jewish bit in 'You're Timeless to Me'.

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ETA: Forget it.

Updated On: 1/4/09 at 09:00 PM

"Because Ryan doesn't shill his vlog to everyone."

Uhm, yes, he does...

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardid=1&boardname=bway&thread=981735#3750676

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardid=1&boardname=bway&thread=985390#3726914

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardid=1&boardname=bway&thread=984618#3719914

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Bye and thank you to all the creative people involved with this show. What a wonderful production!!! One of my all time favorites..........Good luck everyone!!

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Overall, how was the performance? Really emotional? Or more on the joyful/funny side? I'm curious to hear.

Updated On: 1/5/09 at 11:09 PM

Back onto the original thread subject...

It was an incredible afternoon. From the moment the lights went down before the pre-show announcement, there was infinite love coming from the audience. There was short applause at the start of every song, on every performer's entrance (including every council member), even on some set changes! The reaction on Harvey's first appearance was so huge and long, he had to wait for it to quiet down, and ad-libbed by licking Edna's iron! The orchestra was giving it their all, and from where I was sitting, I could tell they definitely had the volume and the bass turned up extra high for the final performance.

Standing ovations after "Welcome to the 60's", "Run and Tell That", "I Know Where I've Been", and "You Can't Stop the Beat", from what I can remember.

The energy level in the theatre peaked at "You Can't Stop the Beat". I was so excited I was just dancing away in my seat. When they brought everyone in the cast (present and many past) and creative crew onstage for the curtain call reprise, it was almost surreal seeing so many people doing the choreography at once. Jerry Mitchell doing the choreography alongside the cast was an extra treat.

And props to Constantine Rousouli for getting cat calls from the audience during a few of his scenes.

I am going to miss Hairspray a whole lot, but I'm overjoyed that it went out with a bang!

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Updated On: 1/4/09 at 11:12 PM

I'll always remember this show.

I don't really have anything new to add that hasn't been said, but wow, the energy in the theater was amazing. I'll always remember this show.

Some random observations in response to others in the thread:

Jackie Hoffman did go up onstage.

Marissa's son's jacket said in pink rhinestones "It Takes Two" on the back.

I was sitting next to the family of an actor in the show, and they were filming parts of the show. From the 4th row.

For the most part it was joyful/funny, but during I Know Where I've Been, I almost started crying because SO many of the actors were. Couldn't look at Constantine.

Jerry Mitchell restarting the finale and dancing was adorable.

(PM me please?)

It's not much. Just me going crazy in the Neil Simon, the cutain call/speech, and then all the stage door fun.