Who would you have cast as Edna in HAIRSPRAY? — Page 2

I think they had every intention of making Edna more like the Broadway version, from the body, costumes, cadence, mannerisims. But John didn't want to play her that way.


I think John referred to it like a Brooklyn-esque Edna

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Louie Anderson or Kevin Meaney would be my choices. But then I really liked Travolta's take on it.

I have mixed feelings about the accent. I think, considering the "reality" with which he chose to play the role, he needed the accent in order to take it further away from us seeing/hearing "Travolta in drag." I think he succeeded in that respect. If he had not used the accent I think it would have been much more difficult to forget who he was. I'm not too woried about the inconsistancy of the accent because 98% of the people who see the film won't know what a Baltimore accent sounds like anyway.

I think the problem lies more with the director. The fact that Travolta is the only one with an accent is the problem. The director should have seen this and either told Travolta it had to go. Or he should have told the rest of the cast to step up and do the accent as well.

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Updated On: 7/24/07 at 02:52 PM

I agree that the accent maybe wasn't the best choice, but from the accounts I've read, it was basically "my way or the highway" before Travolta would agree to do the film. And the big wigs at New Line wouldn't greenlight the project unless Travolta was attached. Just speculating here, but I'm guessing he was more or less given free reign to do whatever he wanted because the film getting made at all was contingent on his involvement.

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Updated On: 7/24/07 at 03:00 PM

Shoot me but Martin Short.

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Actually, having lived in Baltimore for more then a couple years, you would be suprised how many people talk with different accents and live in the same family. It is very likely that someone like Edna couuld have been raised in Highlandtown and would have an incredibly different accent from someone from Townson or Glen Bernie or one of the other outside cities.

They should be very careful when they say he is doing a Baltimore accent... it is really a strong Highlandtown (in Baltimore) accent.

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Lord, I was one of Travolta's biggest detractors after being cast... he just seemed so wrong for the part on so many levels. However, after seeing the movie I gotta say I really did enjoy his take on Edna - latex face, phony Carol Channing "Baltimore" accent, and all. Obviously, his name sold the picture and possibly the picture never would have gotten made (at least not this decade). And he wasn't bad. I especially enjoyed how Edna's dancing was beefed up for the disco icon. Sure I would have liked a little more of a I don't know "camp" or "John Waters" or "gay" touch or whatever you want to call it but this was his turn at the part and he delivered the goods.

With that being said, I sure thought a hell of a long time over the past months on who I would cast as Edna Turnblad (most of y'all have said them as well):

- Harvey... in a perfect world he would have played Edna but I think after the box office failures of The Producers and Rent studios were probably leery of Broadway actors reprising their roles for the screen and he obviously is unfortunately not a mainstream enough name to sell the film

- John Goodman... a bigger name and he's shown on SNL he can do drag very well but hasn't he often complained of back problems and perhaps the heels and dancing would have taken a toll on his back? Perhaps too much of a liability

- Robin Williams... too schticky. It would become the "Robin Williams Show." I think the same would be said if Mike Myers did it. Too much "I'm doing a CHARACHTER!"

So anyways, the other day I was thinking and it hit me who would have the box office draw of Travolta, the offbeat humor of Harvey, and the pathos and charm of Goodman... Alec Baldwin. Granted his Luther Billis left a lil something to be desired musically but I just think he would have thrown himself into the project with abandon. Ahh well, who knows. Travolta was still good.

Z.

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Maybe George Wendt?

Alec Baldwin

I thoroughly enjoyed Travolta as Edna, but if i had to pick someone else, I would say Nathan Lane.

Updated On: 7/24/07 at 08:25 PM

I have to say that Gary Beach would make a wonderful Edna.
I do love the idea of Harvey as Edna and Vilanch as Wilbur.

If Harvey or Bruce or Goodman had been cast, the movie would have tanked. They are not box office names and, Harvey on the big screen croaking out the songs would have people running from the theatre. It just wouldn't work on screen.

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As great as john was, there was something a little off about him.
I wish it had been Harvey, because i heart harvey.

Jay Brazoue- toronto guy (when i saw it at least)
was amazing. I wish they could have gone non name and used him. he was amazing.

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