Who would you have cast as Edna in HAIRSPRAY?
Who would you have cast as Edna in HAIRSPRAY?
LoringsGuy
Broadway Star Joined: 9/28/04
#1Who would you have cast as Edna in HAIRSPRAY?
Posted: 7/24/07 at 12:54pm
I tried searching but couldn't a similar thread, so I apologize if this is a repeat.
Travolta's performance has divided critics and audiences. Besides Harvey Fierstein, who else would you have preferred to see in the role of Edna?
I personally enjoyed his performance and love the film, but I'm curious to hear what others have to say (be nice!).
"Word of advice: Be who you are, wear what you want---just learn how to run real fast." Marc, UGLY BETTY
Updated On: 7/24/07 at 12:54 PM
#2re: Who would you have cast as Edna in HAIRSPRAY?
Posted: 7/24/07 at 12:58pmI was pleasantly surprised by Travolta in the role, but I always pictured John Goodman being perfect for the role too. I guess I have his Linda Tripp impersonation from SNL in mind.
::bust a move::
#2re: Who would you have cast as Edna in HAIRSPRAY?
Posted: 7/24/07 at 1:00pmMaybe Patrick Swayze? We know he can do the drag....
"Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that love actually is all around."
#3re: Who would you have cast as Edna in HAIRSPRAY?
Posted: 7/24/07 at 1:00pmI agree. John Goodman.
mateo
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/8/06
#4re: Who would you have cast as Edna in HAIRSPRAY?
Posted: 7/24/07 at 1:01pm
Hm, I dont really know.... If Jack Black was taller and a lil older- him.
But I really like Travolta as Edna.
Had he not used the accent - I feel more people would like his portrayal. But it doesnt bother me.
"Zac is sweet as can be. He's very much just a sweet kid from California who happens to have a face that looks like it was drawn by Michelangelo, (if Michelangelo did anime)."
-Adam Shankman.
"I haven't left this building since Windows 3.1!"
"Celebrating a birthday this week: Rene Descartes is 412! Do you know who he is? Then why are you watching this show? You could probably get into college and even get one of those job things. As for the rest of us; Amanda Bynes is 22! Yay!"
-E!'s "The Soup"
-Adam Shankman.
"I haven't left this building since Windows 3.1!"
"Celebrating a birthday this week: Rene Descartes is 412! Do you know who he is? Then why are you watching this show? You could probably get into college and even get one of those job things. As for the rest of us; Amanda Bynes is 22! Yay!"
-E!'s "The Soup"
Roscoe
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#5re: Who would you have cast as Edna in HAIRSPRAY?
Posted: 7/24/07 at 1:01pm
I think Travolta could have been fine, if he hadn't been buried under all that naugahyde. I mean, really, that kind of fat makeup has been done so much better in so many other movies, why didn't it work this time? Could they not afford a proper makeup job? I just get the feeling that they were so very intimidated by having Travolta the Big Star that they just let him do whatever he wanted, whether it made any sense or not. How come he's the only Baltimorean in the film to speak with a Baltimore accent?
I think John Goodman would have been great. Or the late John Candy.
"If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about the answers." Thomas Pynchon, GRAVITY'S RAINBOW
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Updated On: 7/24/07 at 01:01 PM
LoringsGuy
Broadway Star Joined: 9/28/04
#6re: Who would you have cast as Edna in HAIRSPRAY?
Posted: 7/24/07 at 1:01pmGoodman would be interesting (he certainly wouldn't need the fat suit!) and we know he can sing.
"Word of advice: Be who you are, wear what you want---just learn how to run real fast." Marc, UGLY BETTY
Broadway Star Joined: 12/31/69
#7re: Who would you have cast as Edna in HAIRSPRAY?
Posted: 7/24/07 at 1:03pm
I am curious as to how Michael Ball will be in London! But, how about John Lithgow?
Updated On: 7/24/07 at 01:03 PM
LoringsGuy
Broadway Star Joined: 9/28/04
#8re: Who would you have cast as Edna in HAIRSPRAY?
Posted: 7/24/07 at 1:03pmOooh....I think John Candy could've been GREAT in that role.
"Word of advice: Be who you are, wear what you want---just learn how to run real fast." Marc, UGLY BETTY
mateo
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/8/06
#9re: Who would you have cast as Edna in HAIRSPRAY?
Posted: 7/24/07 at 1:05pmthe late great. Chris Farley.
"Zac is sweet as can be. He's very much just a sweet kid from California who happens to have a face that looks like it was drawn by Michelangelo, (if Michelangelo did anime)."
-Adam Shankman.
"I haven't left this building since Windows 3.1!"
"Celebrating a birthday this week: Rene Descartes is 412! Do you know who he is? Then why are you watching this show? You could probably get into college and even get one of those job things. As for the rest of us; Amanda Bynes is 22! Yay!"
-E!'s "The Soup"
-Adam Shankman.
"I haven't left this building since Windows 3.1!"
"Celebrating a birthday this week: Rene Descartes is 412! Do you know who he is? Then why are you watching this show? You could probably get into college and even get one of those job things. As for the rest of us; Amanda Bynes is 22! Yay!"
-E!'s "The Soup"
LoringsGuy
Broadway Star Joined: 9/28/04
#10re: Who would you have cast as Edna in HAIRSPRAY?
Posted: 7/24/07 at 1:06pmJRybka, I had the same thought about Swayze the other day. I was impressed with how he immersed himself in his role in TO WONG FOO, and didn't go for cheap laughs. He really seemed to have affection for his character.
"Word of advice: Be who you are, wear what you want---just learn how to run real fast." Marc, UGLY BETTY
americanboy99
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/06
#11re: Who would you have cast as Edna in HAIRSPRAY?
Posted: 7/24/07 at 1:06pm
Nathan Lane.
(Have you heard his previous recordings? Not great, but he was so FABULOUS in THE BIRDCAGE.)
LoringsGuy
Broadway Star Joined: 9/28/04
#12re: Who would you have cast as Edna in HAIRSPRAY?
Posted: 7/24/07 at 1:07pmI don't buy Nathan Lane as being particularly warm or maternal.
"Word of advice: Be who you are, wear what you want---just learn how to run real fast." Marc, UGLY BETTY
BrodyFosse123
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/06
#13re: Who would you have cast as Edna in HAIRSPRAY?
Posted: 7/24/07 at 1:08pm
Though I love Harvey Fierstein to death, I feel his Edna would have been too much for the intimate big screen. His Edna played well in a theater since he needed for Edna to play to a large house. On screen he would be been too much like a cartoon in every way -- his voice, line readings, look, etc. John Goodman would have been the same way.
John Travolta gave us a pretty and nice looking Edna. You can easily SEE that his Edna was once a beauty. Harvey's Edna isn't, nor would John Goodman's have been.
They would have been sensational for stage, but not for the film medium -- it would have been TOO much.
millie_dillmount
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/22/04
#14re: Who would you have cast as Edna in HAIRSPRAY?
Posted: 7/24/07 at 1:10pm
John Goodman
Off-topic, but what about Steve Martin as Wilbur?
"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611
#15re: Who would you have cast as Edna in HAIRSPRAY?
Posted: 7/24/07 at 1:11pmI'll third or fourth John Goodman.
The choice may have been mistaken, The choosing was not... "Every day has the potential to be the greatest day of your life." - Lin-Manuel Miranda
LoringsGuy
Broadway Star Joined: 9/28/04
#16re: Who would you have cast as Edna in HAIRSPRAY?
Posted: 7/24/07 at 1:12pmAgreed, Brody.
"Word of advice: Be who you are, wear what you want---just learn how to run real fast." Marc, UGLY BETTY
mateo
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/8/06
#17re: Who would you have cast as Edna in HAIRSPRAY?
Posted: 7/24/07 at 1:12pm
I liked that new element that Edna was once a bombshell... but that idea should have been forwarded to the Art Dept who made that Edna Wilbur Wedding Photo.
They should have taken a young pic of Travolta and morphed in into a younger looking Edna.
"Zac is sweet as can be. He's very much just a sweet kid from California who happens to have a face that looks like it was drawn by Michelangelo, (if Michelangelo did anime)."
-Adam Shankman.
"I haven't left this building since Windows 3.1!"
"Celebrating a birthday this week: Rene Descartes is 412! Do you know who he is? Then why are you watching this show? You could probably get into college and even get one of those job things. As for the rest of us; Amanda Bynes is 22! Yay!"
-E!'s "The Soup"
-Adam Shankman.
"I haven't left this building since Windows 3.1!"
"Celebrating a birthday this week: Rene Descartes is 412! Do you know who he is? Then why are you watching this show? You could probably get into college and even get one of those job things. As for the rest of us; Amanda Bynes is 22! Yay!"
-E!'s "The Soup"
#18re: Who would you have cast as Edna in HAIRSPRAY?
Posted: 7/24/07 at 1:42pm
John Goodman isn't a big enough movie star.
When it comes right down to it, the choices in the right age and size range are very limited.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
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#19re: Who would you have cast as Edna in HAIRSPRAY?
Posted: 7/24/07 at 1:48pm
"How come he's the only Baltimorean in the film to speak with a Baltimore accent?"
Its the weirdest "Baltimore " accent I've ever heard, and I was born and raised in Baltimore. Not to mention, his accent is not consistent. I was surprised by his performance, and in the end liked his take on the role. But his accent was terrible and the director should have stopped his attempt, because he failed miserably at it.
Updated On: 7/24/07 at 01:48 PM
Corine2
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/14/03
#20re: Who would you have cast as Edna in HAIRSPRAY?
Posted: 7/24/07 at 1:55pm
Harvey Fierstein- First choice.
Bruce Vilanch- Second choice.
mateo
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/8/06
#21re: Who would you have cast as Edna in HAIRSPRAY?
Posted: 7/24/07 at 2:00pm
A box office draw, bankable, an actor who can sing and dance, of the right age, history in movie musicals and Broadway, not without mentioning good looking ... I think they picked the right guy.
Having a dancing Edna is thrilling - Goodman etc... just couldn't shake it like John can.
"Zac is sweet as can be. He's very much just a sweet kid from California who happens to have a face that looks like it was drawn by Michelangelo, (if Michelangelo did anime)."
-Adam Shankman.
"I haven't left this building since Windows 3.1!"
"Celebrating a birthday this week: Rene Descartes is 412! Do you know who he is? Then why are you watching this show? You could probably get into college and even get one of those job things. As for the rest of us; Amanda Bynes is 22! Yay!"
-E!'s "The Soup"
-Adam Shankman.
"I haven't left this building since Windows 3.1!"
"Celebrating a birthday this week: Rene Descartes is 412! Do you know who he is? Then why are you watching this show? You could probably get into college and even get one of those job things. As for the rest of us; Amanda Bynes is 22! Yay!"
-E!'s "The Soup"
#22re: Who would you have cast as Edna in HAIRSPRAY?
Posted: 7/24/07 at 2:33pmI can't think of anyone to play Edna but why did Travolta have to do the weird Carol Channing accent?
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BSoBW2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/8/04
#23re: Who would you have cast as Edna in HAIRSPRAY?
Posted: 7/24/07 at 2:37pm
For the comical factor, I thing it is best when you have a "manly man" as Edna. It makes it much more endearing, I think.
Like James Gandolfini.
NathanLaneStalker
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/11/06
#24re: Who would you have cast as Edna in HAIRSPRAY?
Posted: 7/24/07 at 2:39pmJohn Goodman or Harvey Fierstein. But Travolta was excellent.
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