john travolta as edna

[oldfashionedboy]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 4:25pm

Why must Edna always be played by a man in drag?
I would love to see Bette Midler as Edna.
Any thoughts?

[SallyBrown]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 4:31pm

look up

[SallyBrown]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 4:32pm

I mean down

ya know what, let me find a link lol

[bjivie2]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 4:32pm

It's a John Waters movie. They're not going to change something like that. Don't be silly. And Edna wouldn't be as lovable if it were a (real) woman. It just adds to the fun.

[SallyBrown]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 4:34pm

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?thread=818741&dt=022605042818

there lol

[bjivie2]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 5:24pm

That thread isn't about the casting of a man or a woman in the role. That's just talking about Travolta as Edna. This one is different in the fact that oldfashionedboy wants a woman to play the role.

[SallyBrown]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 5:29pm

oooh sorry!

[False Titters]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 6:06pm

Its kind like pantomime in Britain where the whole fun of it comes from the fact that you know its a man - and it also adds a dimension to the show - its all about playing with gender in a very subtle way, and the whole theme of prejudice as well - thats what i think anyway ha ha ha. Difference with panto though i guess is that the dame plays up the whole fact hes a man whereas Edna is a very sincere performance, theres no direct nod to her being played by a man. I love that about it.

[Mimi Imfurst]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 6:27pm

I think a female edna could totally be plausable. Infact, I know its been considdered. I can't say who, but if they were to get a name as a female edna, the person to play the first male tracey has been through the auditions up and down.

[bjivie2]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 8:49pm

That's so strange taht the producers would actually think about changing the casting that much. I don't think it makes much sense to have Tracy be played by a man. That's not the drag role. The drag role is Edna.

[Plum]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 8:56pm

There was a female Hedwig once, wasn't there? I wouldn't rule out a female Edna in the future, but I think in the movie it should stay a drag role.

[bjivie2]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 9:03pm

Well a female Hedwig doesn't make sense at ALL. Granted, the character has no sex technically, but the character started out as a man, and never officially became a woman. And that's a completely different situation. Edna being in drag is part of the fun of the show. It's John Waters!

[Jon]

Posted: 2/27/05 at 12:09am

Lately, Travolta looks like he could do the role without padding!

Posted: 2/27/05 at 12:36am

Ally Sheedy played Hedwig.

[Mimi Imfurst]

Posted: 2/27/05 at 4:33am

Ally sheedy unfortunitly played hedwig. She was horrible.....she's the reason for the shows downfall. Sandra Burnhart was lined to dawn the wig, but it didnt work out...sad- she would have been amazing. I can think of several woman who would make amazing Hedwigs: Gwen Stefani, Melissa Etherage, Dolly Parton... And many many more. Just cause one woman failed doesnt mean that every woman will fail.

I think that people need to relax when casting people into Gender roles in productions. I think it is a fronteer to be explored that will produce some amazing works.

However, I think that you could without a doubt have a male tracey and a female edna. There are no laws of the world that say that its not possible and as far as I'm concerned you don't know until you try. The guy they had lined up to play Tracey is ****ing unbelievable. He looks and sounds just like any of the Tracey's out there. He has an amazing range and would be able to do it. (Ive seen him do it- and he's a drop dead double of any of the Traceys.) He was lined to actually understudy both Leigh and Sue in Taboo, till the real Sue didn't feel it was correct to have a man play her part...too bad because my friend can sound just like Liz--its so incredible...
Anyhow my point is, I think its close minded to think that a woman or a man couldnt step into different roles. I think that we'd miss out on amazing oppertunities. I also think that it would sell amazing amounts of tickets to have a male tracey on top of giving the show a new life and meaning.

Paridyms are just that. Check them at the door please.

Posted: 2/27/05 at 4:51am

well i definitely think they could play around with which character they wanted in drag, but I dont know that Id go with tracy... something to ponder... maybe motormouth...

[bjivie2]

Posted: 2/27/05 at 5:19am

Well, I'll believe it when I see it.

[boatsintheghetto]

Posted: 2/27/05 at 1:17pm

i just dont think edna would be edna without it being a man.

[Mimi Imfurst]

Posted: 2/27/05 at 1:22pm

If the writers/producers/john waters are considdering it, then it means that it is something that is plausable in the world of piece- so don't knock it. There are many amazing women who would make brillant ednas that I would want to see play the part- Bette Middler, Rosanne, etc.

[renthead2005z]

Posted: 2/28/05 at 3:37pm

no one can replace harvey!...i cannot see john travolta being edna...

[whatyouown223]

Posted: 2/28/05 at 3:49pm

This is just like the Annie thread...the character Tracy was NOT WRITTEN to be played by a male. Edna's character was since the movie. Even if they are considering opposite sexes, it's not right. Who wants to see a teenage girl played by a man? Edna is a comical part. Tracy, not so much.

Posted: 2/28/05 at 4:17pm

i feel the same way, i think its wrong for tracy to be played by a man, mostly because i feel shes the more grounded character with all these eccentric people around here. thats why id say motormouth if you wanted to switch who was a man... shes over the top and makes a grand entrance.

[Mimi Imfurst]

Posted: 2/28/05 at 4:34pm

if a thirty plus year old woman can play a teenager, so could a 30 year old male. Its called acting! I'm not saying camp up the part or rewrite it- if someone plays it with honesty then there is nothing wrong with it. I guess black actors should also not play parts written for white actors?

[renthead2005z]

Posted: 2/28/05 at 4:35pm

edna just wouldn't work as a girl...that is all

[Mimi Imfurst]

Posted: 2/28/05 at 4:36pm

why not. give me a reason thats not based on paridym?