shiney new penny?

[showinoff]

Posted: 2/5/06 at 1:26pm

I anyone going to see Ms.Digarmo in hairspray? If so, I would love to hear how she does. I hope the best for her, she has some big saddle shoes to fill...

[jimmirae]

Posted: 2/5/06 at 1:34pm

Showinoff, Take the Smirnoff, ya might need some!

Posted: 2/5/06 at 1:36pm

HaHa. Thats funny.


Yeah, she does have big shoes to fill. Im sure she's exicted and happy to being doing it.

[jv92]

Posted: 2/5/06 at 1:43pm

As long as Fantasia stays as far away from Broadway as possible, I'm fine.

[zepka102]

Posted: 2/5/06 at 1:54pm

i've heard from a friend who talked with ushers that they're liking what she does during rehearsals... should be interesting to see!

[zoran912]

Posted: 2/5/06 at 2:23pm

They're putting Fantasia in as Little Inez. Didn't you know?

[.LittleWing. 0224]

Posted: 2/5/06 at 2:47pm

pfft, don't lie zoran. You know as well as I do that Jennifer Hudson is up for that role. Fantasia aint got a chance.

[zepka102]

Posted: 2/5/06 at 2:51pm

yea right... Ruben could do better than both

[Marie2]

Posted: 2/5/06 at 3:01pm

This isn't first hand, it's more "friend of a friend" type stuff so take it for what it's worth but I've heard she's getting along great with the cast and was a quick study during rehearsals. I didn't hear specifically HOW she's doing but it was nice to read Zepka's post. Hey, at least there aren't any horror stories and the cast isn't whispering about the impending doom of the show.
Her best bet is to NOT worry about filling Tracy's shoes as only the Hairspray diehards are going to worry about that, she should try to be her own Penny and not an imitation. She'll do better that way.
She's going to be at the Second Stage bowling tournament tomorrow. I assume with other cast members?

[zepka102]

Posted: 2/5/06 at 3:42pm

i definitely see her doing her own thing, which is great. look at all the Pennys there have been... no one has done it the same. only Tracy gave a more memorable performance for us. we'll see how fans react when she steps out for us... at first i wasn't sure how i felt about it, but it sounds like she's doing fine and i hope i can see her. but yea, i'll still miss Tracy LOADS!

[showinoff]

Posted: 2/5/06 at 11:24pm

Thanks guys.

I have friends in the cast, and they are all pleasently surprised. They say that she is a joy to work with, and is really on top of her game.

FYI Ruben as lil Inez...priceless!

[emo_geek]

Posted: 2/6/06 at 1:22am

Glad people are seeing her as a actress wanting to be on broadway and not a idol settling for broadway.

[MeleeQ]

Posted: 2/6/06 at 1:29am

I'll be going to see her. I know she's really really nervous about taking over for Tracy. She was witness to the fans at Tracy's last performance (she was there in one of the boxes). She came out the stage door early when there were only a few people waiting, and she was talking and saying "Oh man, I'm going to get booed off the stage!". I told her I was sure she'd be great and I'd come see her. :)

The lotto lady said she's been doing great, so I'm going to go see her (though, I don't think ANYONE will ever be able to replace Tracy for me).

[emo_geek]

Posted: 2/6/06 at 1:31am

I can't wait to see her as Brooklyn.

[ashers2u]

Posted: 2/6/06 at 1:39am

my friend is in the hairspray cast and actually playing Seaweed at both performances this Saturday (he is the understudy...obviously), and he said he loves diana!!! he said she does some "really cute things" and she's gonna be great! honestly....i can't IMAGINE liking anyone as much as tracy....i almost feel bad for anyone i see in that role from now on, because they just can't measure up in my mind. BUT it's good to hear that she at least is coming up with "cute things". and it will be cool to see a different take on the role that i love so much.

everyone go see the show this saturday, and root for Arbender as Seaweed, it will only be his 3rd or 4th time playing the part and he is amazing :)

[MeleeQ]

Posted: 2/6/06 at 3:21am

Arbender's going on this weekend?? YAY! You're totally the person I talked to doing lotto, aren't you? I was the one contemplating swiping Tracy's nameplate :P

I *heart* Arbender. I like him better than Tevin. Of COURSE I'll go this Saturday!

[ashers2u]

Posted: 2/6/06 at 2:36pm

HAHA yessss i did talk to you!!!! awesome...i will probably see you saturday then!!! yay everyone go support arbender!

[.LittleWing. 0224]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 10:50pm

for anyone wondering, diana is fantastic! she is fun and quirky and cute, everything penny should be. and she really belts like a star at the end. She was so fun to watch... i plan on going back to see her again before the end of her run because i know she'll only get better and better!

ps. her wig looked great! don't worry

[Luckydave14]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 10:57pm

Thats very exciting. I think I am going to go see her next week. How did she act with other cast members?

[SNLMedia]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 10:59pm

It sounds like Diana is fitting in just fine. I'm going to try to lotto this weekend to see her. Arbender going on is an added bonus. I saw him as Seaweed in December and he was great.

[.LittleWing. 0224]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 11:00pm

her chemistry with the cast was excellent. THey all seemed to be having fun up there, and she seems like such a sweetheart. I really like her in the role a lot, and I only saw her opening night!

[ABoyLikeThat]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 11:04pm

That's awesome to hear. I must admit that I was a bit worried myself but this is definitely good news. Any other details about it? Was there anything that she changed and how were the things she was having trouble with in the rehearsals (the note in "Without Love", the harmonica bit and the dancing)? I'm so glad you got to go opening night.

[Crazy4MattMorrison52]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 11:08pm

she was great. i noticed in big doll house she didnt say "tracy i hate to grumble....". during you cant stop the beat she looked a little lost for a second. other then that she was great. and SO sweet too.

[Marie2]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 11:20pm

Sounds like she had an overall good debut. Some of her slips (possibly missing a line during The Big Dollhouse, being tentative during Can't Stop the Beat) are things that happen on opening night with the nerves and pressure. I can't wait to see what she's doing with the role after she's had a couple weeks to really make it her own.
So far so good. Glad to hear it.

Did those of you who got to see the show meet her afterwards? What did you think and did she say anything about how she felt she did?
Updated On: 2/7/06 at 11:20 PM

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 11:27pm

I'm so glad to hear these reports, along with the WEST SIDE STORY reports. I rooted for her from her first AI audition, she had a great voice and always seemed so sweet and genuine.