hairspray - Happy Trails Paul and Dowd. Welcome George and Marissa.

Today Hairspray says "happy trails" to a beloved Edna, Paul Vogt, and longtime Tracy stand-by Michelle Dowdy.
Paul has been with Hairspray off and on since early 2006, replacing Harvey Fiestein in the all too short lived las Vegas production and playing Edna in the regional theatre premiere at North Shore Music Theatre in Mass. Michelle Dowdy joined the Broadway cast in 2005, replacing Shannon Durig when she assumed the starring role. Today, they leave the Hairspray house, but not the Hairspray family.

Tuesday, if the stage hands aren't striking (from my fingers to god's eyes), Hairspray welcome two new members to the Baltimore clan - George Wendt will assume Edna's housedress for three months and Marissa Perry will Mark her Broadway debut (hopefully next Friday night!) as Tracy Turnblad, where I am sure she will go one to a bright future with the company. Keep your eyes peeled! Most of the stand-bys have gone on to assume the role at some point!

We will miss you Paul and Dowd. Don't stay away too long.
Welcome George and Marissa

They wouldn't strike at THIS theatre because it is a Nederlander theatre.

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So, now that I've seen them both, quick thoughts!

1) George Wendt is doing fine, especially for his first week. As I said in another thread, he's got the pathos down, but he has to work on the humor. I miss Paul, but I knew that would happen. There have been far worse replacements in this show.
2) Marissa Perry is a REVELATION. I love her, I really do. She just shines on stage and couldn't be more lovable - she's on all this weekend and tuesday if you want to check her out, and you should.

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Not all that great - sometimes he can't get out all his lines in the songs ("Tell Lola Brigida to step aside" being a particularly egregious example), but he gets through the show alright. Hopefully it'll be good for him. And it makes the "call for backup" line in the finale really believable. :)

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Not exactly on topic..but I just saw a young girl dressed up as Tracy Turnblad. No joke. IT WAS AWESOME.

Maybe she was directed that way, but if every Tracy could sing it that way, even I could audition for the role (those few higher notes I alas cannot belt).

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I'd seen that video of Marissa and was really worried about her Broadway bow - but there was no reason for it. She's amazing, has all the notes and an abundance of charm.

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That must have been an off-day. I saw her at Weston as well as on Broadway tonight and she was phenomenal. That video is a completely inaccurate representation of her performance and of her talent.