Mr. Baressi used to specialize in spanking videos. In fact, now that I think of it, I'm shocked he wasn't the one lobbing softballs to the President at the White House.
While I still hope Harvey gets the role I don't think Travolta would be a horrible choice.
David walked into the valley
With a stone clutched in his hand
He was only a boy
But he knew someone must take a stand
There will always be a valley
Always mountains one must scale
There will always be perilous waters
Which someone must sail
-Into the Fire
Scarlet Pimpernel
Fabulous! The last Broadway musical that was made into a film starring Travolta was GREASE. GREASE became the highest grossing musical in film history.
This would be so wonderful for musicals, in general. Many filmgoers would certainly attend a film of the musical HAIRSPRAY simply because Mr. Travolta is starring.
This would certainly add to the legions of musical lovers! Most of us musical lovers got our appetites wet from film versions of Broadway musicals, to begin with.
A great day for Broadway and the world of musicals! Bravo for Travolta in HAIRSPRAY. We can only hope it truly happens.
"Blow out the candles Robert and make a wish. Want something, want SOMETHING."
munkustrap178, of course you are correct about Fierstein. The only film he ever starred in, the film version of TORCH SONG TRILOGY, bombed terribly and his performance in it was simply embarassing. He also gave a dreadful performance in the film INDEPENDENCE DAY.
Clearly, Mr. Travolta has excellent dancing skills and a pleasant voice, allowing him to actually SING. Many folks think he is an awfully good actor, as well. Why on earth would the "money people" behind a film version of a smash Broadway musical, want the film to star someone who has no box office clout? Sorry, but the worlds of box office clout differ from Broadway to film and Harvey Fierstein is not even a "magical" box office draw name on Broadway.
Travolta, on the other hand, appeared on Broadway in the musical OVER HERE! and he was in GREASE on stage and of course starred in SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER(a semi musical you might say) and GREASE on film. He has TWO Oscar nominations to his credit and seems beloved by those who know or have worked with him.
The "money" folks behind this film would be lucky to have Mr. Travolta star as Edna. I suspect the film going public and the lovers of musicals will be lucky too. Just watch. If John Travolta does indeed star in the film, his natural charm, charisma and singing and dancing skills will likely knock our socks off!
"Blow out the candles Robert and make a wish. Want something, want SOMETHING."
For godssake WISH, did you read ANY of the numbers I present that refute your assertion that "Many filmgoers would certainly attend a film of the musical HAIRSPRAY simply because Mr. Travolta is starring?" In THIS decade, many filmgoers have decidedly NOT gone to see movies that Mr. Travolta starred in.
I mean, if you're going to argue the commerce angle, you really oughta have some numbers to back em up.
GREASE was a long, long time ago. And Alan Carr is dead.
I was laughing. I think Harvey is the best person for the role. I am moving on. I do however think both Musto and Charles Busch would be fabootastic Edna's. They are both so funny.
Updated On: 2/24/05 at 04:09 PM
Namo, I don't agree with you. Michael Musto, Harvey Fierstein, and Charles Busch (let's just throw Dame Edna in, for the hell of it) are of a completely different group than John Travolta, stop trying to be difficult. I have never heard John Travolta described as flamboyant or notoriously homosexual, and I'm sure most will agree with me.
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy."-Charlie Manson
Why on earth would the "money people" behind a film version of a smash Broadway musical, want the film to star someone who has no box office clout?
Because...he's a name. And some people stay names seemingly no matter how awfully they keep doing. Reputation can be surprisingly independent of reality.
Oh, and I agree with you, munk. Travolta's been the subject of a lot of gay rumors, sure, but that's not the same as being notoriously flamboyant, whatever that is.