What I Thought About The New HAIRSPRAY CAST!!!!

[Mrs.LinkLarkin2]

Posted: 2/19/07 at 4:44pm

On Saturday, I saw Hairspray for the 5th time. The previous four times were all with the same cast. It was the cast from Thanksgiving to January 14 (Aaron Tveit's last night). So this time, Edna, Wilbur, Penny, Link, Amber, and the Matron would be different. I wasn't looking foward to seeing the new cast because I loved the old one soooo much! I went to see Ashley Parker Angel, cause I'm almost 19 and was really into O-Town back in the day and I love his new music. Then again, the reason I fell in love with Hairspray was because of Aaron. It was kind of bitter sweet. But Aaron will still always be Link to me! :) Anyway, on with the review!

I read good things about Paul C. Vogt's Edna, but I was sooo disappointed! He made the character sort of unlikable! He let the lines speak for them self too much and didn't say them in a funny manner. I felt like Edna didn’t have much of a sense of humor. I preferred Blake Hammond so much more! I can't believe they didn't re-sign him.

Jere Burns, the new Wilbur, was okay, but not as good as Stephen DeRosa. His timing was a little off. You didn't feel the chemistry between this pair like you did with the other two actors. Can't really describe it...something was just missing.

Amber- played by BRYNN O’MALLEY, was fine, but I think Tara Macri had a little more sparkle and personality. They sang equally well.

The new Matron/Prudy Pingleton/Gym teacher played by SUSAN MOSHER was probably just as good as Lisa Jolley. They played the roles very similarly. Susan added some new stuff.

Now to the ones everyone is curious about...
Alexa Vega, wow! That's not a good wow. I wasn't looking forward to seeing a new Penny after Diana played her. I liked Diana on Idol, but I loved her in Hairspray! She made that character come to life. She was absolutely adorable! No one can beat her Penny, but Alexa is a universe away! I don't know why they would cast her. She blended into the scenery! Some of the show's funniest lines weren't funny at all because of her delivery. Her singing voice isn't bad, but it's also not great. I also felt no chemistry between her and Tracy and Seaweed. I felt like I could jump on stage and do a better job than her. But I’ll try to be kind and say it was still her first week. She has time to improve.

Ashley Parker Angel- It was going to take a lot for another Link to impress me, but Ashley did. His singing was great! He rocked It Takes Two. He seems so happy to be on stage. I think he could soften his voice and relax a little in some scenes though. I still feel that Aaron’s acting is much better and I kinda feel he cared for Tracy a little more. (Yeah, I’m crazy). Ashley was kind of a sweet guy the entire time. He was never “too cool.” You didn’t see as much of a transformation in Link. Ashley was really good for not having any acting experience, unless you consider Making The Band and There and Back acting experience (which it probably was). I thought Ashley was the best replacement. (Too bad, I never wanted a replacement.) OMG! Ashley was the sweetest person I’ve ever met by the stage door!!! He was much more personable than anyone else I’ve ever met.

Oh, and Shannon Durig…that girl better be there for a while longer. I love her! I can’t picture anyone else in the role. Could she be any cuter?

So, bottom line…I miss the old cast, but the show’s still great and Ashley Parker Angel is an adorable Link.

[DryMartini]

Posted: 2/19/07 at 5:29pm

You actually are making me think I should check out the show again. I don't know much about Ashley, but that's just my age showing I guess.

[Maggie_May]

Posted: 2/19/07 at 5:39pm

I saw the show on Saturday as well (matinee won lotto). It was my second time seeing it and I enjoyed it immensely.
I thought Brynn was a perfect Amber. The character of Amber actually stuck out for me this time because when I saw it for the first time I saw Haylie and disliked her.

Alexa has a great voice and I was shocked by it but Diana was a better Penny imo.

I enjoyed Jere and thought him and Paul worked well together and their Timeless to Me was hysertical. I was a bit excited to just see Jere in general cause I was a huge Something so Right fan.

I thought Susan fit the role perfectly and found her to be funny..I ended up sitting on the side where she has to climb over us and since I was on the aisle I knew she would have to step up for the stairs and I didnt know what to do so I ducked my head down and her dress ended up over my head which I then laughed for the rest of the last scene.

When I heard Ashley was going to join I had mixed feelings. But I thought he was fantastic. He is an amazing dancer and was doing the moves better then some of the people up there. I did melt when he sang It takes two. I do agreee with the fact that he seemed sweet the whole entire show where Aaron seemed a little more tough guy in the beginning.

I really want to go again to check this cast out again cause I enjoyed it better this time then the first. I cant say I didnt melt at stagedoor when Ashley came out cause I did. I just felt bad cause a lot of the girls kept talking about Otown and his reality show. I get that they want to tell him they enjoy that but they wouldnt say anything to him about his performance in Hairspray which I feel is what really matters right now so I made sure I told him I thought he did a fantastic job

[ztJdBrVa]

Posted: 2/19/07 at 6:00pm

These reviews are great, since we plan to see the show later this week.

(FYI, among other things Ashley has acted in local productions at his home town, has done voices for video games, has appeared on ALL MY CHILDREN with a line to say, and was offered movie parts during MAKING THE BAND that he decided it was better to turn down at that point in his career.)

[Mrs.LinkLarkin2]

Posted: 2/19/07 at 9:40pm

Now, I remember about how he acted in his home town, but I didn't know any of the other stuff. Thanks for the info!

[renthead333]

Posted: 2/19/07 at 9:59pm

I totally agree with you that Diana made Penny come to life!