"Your Timeless To Me..." Hairspray: Clumsy hearts Hairspray! [1-16-08: 2pm]

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 1/17/08 at 2:11pm

After being completely totured at a taping of Maury,
my friends got put onstage for being pretty and I was put in the back row with an annoying woman who had seen the show twenty times, she would not grasp the fact she was going to be in the back and not in the front row. It was truly annoying, so in between the first and second taping, I slipt, more like RAN for the door, despite my friends wanting me to stay, I couldn't take anymore: I needed to smile, I needed to dance, Basically, I needed Hairspray. I got there too late for lotto, but got a student rush ticket: Mezz, Row K. Upon a arrival, The mezz was full of two school groups, but still not full, so the student rush people were moved down to Row G.

I love Hairspray, it's seriously one of my all time favorite musicals. It has a herorine, I can relate to and the music is amazing and the perfomances are so full of engery and the dancing is wonderful. I've seen it three times prior and I went yesterday for my fourth and I'm hooked once more: More viewings are to come, I can promise you that!

Understudies were Kasey Marino as Corny Collins [Clarke Thorell, the original Corny returns on Friday]
Gretchen Breiber was on as Prudy/Matron/GymTeacher
And Lauren Kling had joined the cast to temporarily replace Tammy due to the spot left by Hayley Podschun.

The show is so positive and happy, and just full of energy and joy: Tracy's journey from Good Morning Balitmore to exploding through the doors of the Baltimore Eventorium to upset the Miss Hairspray paganet is just one of the most wonderful transformations in theater. She goes from trying to make a difference, to making it.

Shannon Durig is an amazing Tracy: Her voice is pitch-perfect and her acting is incredible, she truly embodies all that Tracy should be. Having seen her once before, she is wonderful and just makes the role a pleasure to watch.

Geogre Wednt was an interesting Edna, he had the comedy and his voice was good, but he seemed long winded and seemed very small in such a big role. Sure, he had the chops, but the longwindeness distracted from the performance. As compared to my favorites: Blake Hammond, Bruce Vilach and Paul G. Voigt, he lacked.

Niki Scalera was a great Penny, her voice is amazing and her acting is fun, but she lacks what Diana Degarmo did in the nerdy department. I did enjoy her chemistry with Tevin, it really worked. Overall, a fantastic performance. [PS: I saw her as Jane in Tarzan, she was wonderful]

Kasey Marino is officially my favorite Corny, he was charming and cheesy and his voice was amazing. He is also younger than most of the Cornys I had seen, [he usually plays Brad.] So, it was refreshing to see a younger Corny, but it worked very well. Best deliever of "You can't fire Corny Collins from the Corny Collins show." ever.

Ashley Parker Angel has gotten much better since I first saw him, he was better the second time I saw him, but he was much much much better this time: His singing has improved and he's gotten more into character, despite a few flubbed lines, he was good.

Tevin Cambell was wonderful as always as Seaweed, he has been with the show for sometime now and he is just so wonderful to listen to and embodies the character so well. He and Niki had great chemistry as well.

Naturi makes a cute Inez and her voice is so great, I wish she could show it off more. Darlene Love is just a powerhouse, she knocks "I Know Where I've Been.." out of the park everytime. She's just brillant. How the roof of the Neil Simon is still holding I have no idea.

Gretchen was a funny Prudy/Matron/Gym Teacher: You can pretty much NEVER be too big for that role, no limit to the random things that can be said--> Like during the dodgeball scene, she said when holding the dodgeball bag infront of her "Yeah, I have balls." It was HILARIOUS.

I love the Council Kids, they never get any love, but the actors who play the Council Kids are so great at what they do and get very little praise for their roles. I love Lori Eve who plays Shelley and the swing who covered Brad and the swing who covered IQ and the rest. They are just wonderful.

Ashley Spencer was the 2nd best Amber I have seen, close behind Brynn O' Malley, who was terrific. Despite being sick, which I honestly couldn't tell, she was simply wonderful, she was so kooky and ditzy and fun to watch. And her delievery of Amber's lines was far better than Jordan Ballard [I disliked her VERY much] and her singing was better than Haylie Duff [She was good.] Michelle Pawk was a decent Velma, she got better as the show went on. Her Miss Baltimore Crabs was good, but not amazing. But, her acting was fantastic.

Tom Rooney was my favorite Wilbur behind Scott Davidson, who is the U/S for Wilbur: His singing was great and his acting was wonderful as well. By far better than Jere Burns. I really liked Tom and Geogre's chemistry.

The stage door was a ZOO: because of Ashley Parker Angel: A school group invaded: I got a picture with Niki, Ashley Parker Angel, Shannon, Tevin, Darlene, Kasey and the swing for either IQ or Brad, I am still not sure. Geogre doesn't come out and Ashley S was very sick so she skipped stage door. And Tom walked passed without a sound, however I did want to meet him, but it was too late.

Updated On: 1/17/08 at 02:11 PM

[Fosse76]

Posted: 1/17/08 at 2:31pm

" Geogre doesn't come out"

What do you mean? Every time I walk by the Simon Wendt is out there signing autographs.

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 1/17/08 at 2:38pm

I love the Council Kids, they never get any love, but the actors who play the Council Kids are so great at what they do and get very little praise for their roles.

Awww, they get a lot of love from me. :)

I hope Robbie Roby was on as Brad this week, he's so incredibly funny as Stooie! But I know Ryan Christopher Chotto had been doing it, so...

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 1/17/08 at 2:40pm

Glad you had a great time!

[jaystarr]

Posted: 1/17/08 at 2:44pm

Rob- Is Todd Michel Smith still playing IQ? I revisted Hairspray last year and it was a treat to see him in those shorts we were seating upfront ROW A ORCHESTRA bec. when I saw Hairspray in 2003- we were seating at the back back..(as usual) I should have stage door to meet that cute chorus boy!

Edit : never mind... Tod Michel Smith was out when you see it... I saw your posting about IQ...

Thanks for a great review...but I wanna see the pics....

J*



Updated On: 1/17/08 at 02:44 PM

[nmartin]

Posted: 1/17/08 at 2:47pm

Clumsy, isn't it wonderful how going to a show can lift your spirits? It sounds like Hairspray is just what you needed. Great!

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 1/17/08 at 2:51pm

Todd is still with the show (he and Judine still remain, of the original cast), but I believe Clumsy mentioned IQ was a swing when he saw it.

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 7:22am

Jay: Yeah, Joe Abraham was IQ! :)
He was great! :)
I really really enjoyed him as IQ.. and he's cute too! :)

Shesamarsmellow: I believe he was, and he was VERY hilarious as Stooie. :) I ♥ Council Kids too. :)

I also never noticed during the dodgeball scene, Tammy and Fender making out! I was like "WTF.."

NMartin: Yes! I even told the box office guy: "You don't know how bad I need this. I had to sit through a taping of Maury, which was HORRIBLE." And he looked at me like I was nuts.


Fosse: I heard he doesnt come out. I left after all the craziness with Ashley Parker Angel. But, if he does come out, next time, I'll get him! :)

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 7:26am

Pictures:



[Kasey Marino [Corny U/S] and I]---->Favorite CORNY ever!




[Tevin Cambell & I]----> So awesome!




[Joe Abraham and I---> I smell Chorus/Swing boy crush on this one! :)]



[Shannon Durig and I]---> LOVE her. :)



[Darlene Love and I]---> She's a LEGEND!




[Niki Scalera and I]---> She was Jane in Tarzan once when I saw it, she's amazing. :)



[Ashley Parker Angel and I]--> CRAZZZZY fangirls.

Updated On: 1/18/08 at 07:26 AM

[SNLMedia]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 9:08am

Great review and great pics, Clumsy!

The council kids/ensemble are definitely underappreciated. I certainly could not jump over an orchestra pit eight times a week and not break anything.

Kasey is adorable and easily my favorite Corny too.

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 9:21am

"Great review and great pics, Clumsy!

The council kids/ensemble are definitely underappreciated. I certainly could not jump over an orchestra pit eight times a week and not break anything."

Thank you!
I agree, SNLMedia! :)
They do so much and get very little praise, I love those darn Nicest Kids In Town! :)

Yes, Kasey---> Favorite Corny!! :)

Updated On: 1/18/08 at 09:21 AM

[SNLMedia]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 9:24am

Did Kasey do a JFK accent on the "if you were president, what would your first official act be" line?

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 9:33am

"Did Kasey do a JFK accent on the "if you were president, what would your first official act be" line? "

YES! That was hilarious. .

The school group behind me, of the two, the elementary one was very polite and cheered loudly for all the big songs: The high school group, who I didnt see until they all went bezerk about Ashley Angel,

[SNLMedia]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 10:00am

"the elementary one was very polite and cheered loudly for all the big songs"

Which ones AREN'T big songs?

What cracks me up is the deafening cheers and applause for Ashley during curtain call. SO loud.

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 10:04am

"Which ones AREN'T big songs?

What cracks me up is the deafening cheers and applause for Ashley during curtain call. SO loud. "

Good point, there all HUGE and amazing!

YES! They went NUTS. I was like. "Wow." I stood up starting with my loves, The Council Kids! :) And cheered for Niki, Shannon and Darlene, Kasey and others.

[tinkerscanne]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 11:14am

Stop! I want to see Hairspray again SOOOOOO badly! You're review is inspiring me to head up to the city this weekend and catch a matinee.

It is SUCH a fantastic show!!! Thanks for posting your review.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 11:35am

Rob- Your pictures are soo nice specially one with Darlene... that woman is ENOUGH reason to see HAIRSPRAY !! Love me some Darlene Love

J*

[karen24]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 11:45am

Thanks for the review! I've been contemplating seeing this again--haven't seen it since shortly after it opened (so I did get to see Harvey and all of the original cast.)
Can you explain what you mean by saying that George Wendt was "long-winded"? I'm not sure I quite understand that. Does he take a long time to say his lines? Speaks them slowly? I mean, he can't *add* more lines to say, right?
Karen

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 11:50am

Great review! I've still never seen Hairspray on stage. I should get on that.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 12:20pm

"[Joe Abraham and I---> I smell Chorus/Swing boy crush on this one! :)]"

He's married and straight.

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 12:48pm

tinkerscanne: What are you waiting for! GOOOOOO! :)

Jay: Yes, Darlene is amazing. So sad, she's leaving in March. Along with APA and Shannon.

karen24: What I meant was, he is hysterically funny and great, but when it came to dancing or anything high energy, he seemed to slow a bit, especially during the HUGEness of You Can't Stop The Beat, he just seemed a bit out of breath a times, which being a big guy, I can understand.

TheatreDiva90016: Thanks for crushing my Clumsy-IQ fantasy. :dies a bit inside:

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 1:20pm

He IS the nicest guy you'll ever meet.

And his wife is beautiful and a doll!

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 1:25pm

"He IS the nicest guy you'll ever meet.

And his wife is beautiful and a doll!"

HE is! He is VERY nice, the ONLY Council member to not just walk off and ignore the fans. Loved him. Very much.

Aw, well I'm glad to hear she is. :)

[SNLMedia]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 1:45pm

Joe is a sweetheart. I've seen him go on for just about all the council kids and even the kid holding the radio in detention. That was a good laugh!

Clumsy, you're not the only one with a forbidden IQ fantasy.

ETA: I don't think the council kids "walk off and ignore the fans". They most likely don't think anyone wants their autograph or will even recognize them because of the aforementioned underappreciation.

Updated On: 1/18/08 at 01:45 PM

[mateo]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 1:48pm

Nope, not at all. hehe.