HAIRSPRAY is next NBC Musical...

[gstrus2]

Ryann Redmond for Tracy!

[GreasedLightning]

RaiseYouUp said: "This is wonderful news! I'm so glad that NBC has chosen a great show to produce this time!

 

"

Because The Sound of Music & The Wiz aren't "great shows" ??????????

[ChildofEarth]

I'm guessing Andrew Rannells or NPH for Corny;

Nick Jonas or MAYBE (if he doesn't age anymore in his face/hair) Darren Criss for Link

Unknown for Tracy AND Little Inez

Hopes:

Anna Kendrick or Amanda Bynes (a TRIUMPHANT return) for Penny

Cheno for Velma

Danielle Brooks for Motormouth (is she too young?)

 

It's funny to me that Queen Latifah, Elijah Kelley, and Christopher Walken all have ties to it....

[tazber]

I doubt age would be an issue for Efron, I mean look at Grease. 

 

But I'm sure they want to cast people who were not in the movie.

 

Otherwise it would just be the movie on stage.

 

I can't wait to see who's gonna play Edna.

[broadwayboy223]

Do you think Queen Latifah will return to reprise her role? I could see it. Maybe now that Kristen Bell is on NBC she could do Amber, Penny or Velma? I could see Megan Hilty being in this too.

[KathyNYC2]

There are just so many talented young people out there. I really love Kristen Bell & Anna Kendrick but do we really need someone in their 30's playing high school students Tracy or Penny? Just no...

[UrNotAMachine]

NBC's live musicals will continue to miss the mark until they start doing them with live audiences. Without one, it feels incredibly awkward and it lacks any semblance of energy. FOX has the right idea with having one for Grease Live. I hope it works out for them so live audiences become the standard.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

KathyNYC2 said: "There are just so many talented young people out there. I really love Kristen Bell & Anna Kendrick but do we really need someone in their 30's playing high school students Tracy or Penny? Just no..."

 

So? Stockard Channing was only 33 when she played Rizzo.

[gypsy101]

Sunny11 said: "I don't think that Efron is age appropriate now, he bulked up considerably for a movie and, while he looked amazing, didn't look high school age at all."

 

I agree with him not being appropriate now, but he was only 19 when they made the movie and I don't think there was anyone else in the world more appropriate to play Link in the movie. It was the perfect role for him at the time.

[GottaHaveAGimmick]

Yay! Good choice.

Seth McFarland for Corny Collins.

[Mr. Nowack]

This is probably the most exciting one yet for me, on name alone. It'll be nice to have a pro-shot presentation of the actual stage show.

 

Is "safe" such a bad thing? Network TV is not the place for innovation and cutting edge.

[AKarp2013]

I will say that I agree with the sentiment about the live audience. This is one of those shows that believe really should require a live audience due to the high level of humor and energy of the show -- especially the humor aspect of the piece.

[EvanK]

I love Latifah... but please no... Get me a women who can SANG that song!

[Call_me_jorge]

They should film them in a real theatre too. Not just a studio.

[Hairspray0901]

Well, to say I'm excited is a complete and total understatement. I have no words. This is amazing.

[serene_embers]

I actually quite liked the latest movie version that was done (nearly 10 years ago now!) so I'm kinda...indifferent about this at the moment.  Though I can understand choosing it for this particular type of production.

I really enjoyed James Marsden as Corny in the film.  I think he could still pull it off.  I also really loved Zac as Link but think he's aged out by now.

[BrodyFosse123]

Can we get a real drag queen this time?

 

With all due respect, John Waters wrote Edna Turnblad as a woman and Divine chose to play her that way.  It was never played as a "man in drag" which Divine never was - every female role he ever played was played as a real woman.  This idea was honored in the Broadway adaptation and every actor who has played Edna played her as a woman.  Never as a drag act.  

 

Also, per John Waters' request, Tracy will always be cast with an unknown.  Ricki Lake was discovered for the original 1988 film; though she had some prior Broadway credits, Marissa Jaret Winokur was a total unknown when she starred in the 2002 Broadway adaptation and Nikki Blonsky was discovered for the 2007 film adaptation of the Broadway musical.  So yes, like they did with THE WIZ Live!, an open call will be held for the casting of Tracy Turnblad.  

[Jshan05]

AUDRA for Motormouth? She is the right choice for any part in my book...

[best12bars]

I thought the movie was pretty great with the exception of Travolta's (still-odd) choice to play it more or less "straight" as a woman. It didn't really work, despite some bright moments.

 

I hope to see a full-on drag performance this time. It's the anchor of the show.

 

The rest of the film I thought was wonderful. But you gotta get Edna right or makes things weird.

[EvanK]

Jshan05 said: "AUDRA for Motormouth? She is the right choice for any part in my book..."

I love Audra, but I need a good ol' gospel belt for Motormouth, please and thank you!

[ChildofEarth]

Willam for Edna!

[teddy1996]

I think this is a great idea. I really hope they just do the stage version rather than do a mixture of both the film and the stage show. I also want them to cast a newcomer to play tracy. 

[jacobsnchz14]

Besides several things from THE WIZ, SOUND OF MUSIC and PETER PAN were close to their stage adaptations and NBC seems to have the right idea as far as that goes. I really do hope they CONSIDER a live audience for this!

[ucjrdude902]

Maybe NBC will cast all 4 teens using unknowns? Even though I would LOVE to see Amanda Bynes back in the spotlight.

[best12bars]

I'm sure they'll do a talent search for Tracy and build that into the promos.

[SweetLips]

BrodyFosse123 said: "Can we get a real drag queen this time?

 

 

 

With all due respect, John Waters wrote Edna Turnblad as a woman and Divine chose to play her that way.  It was never played as a "man in drag" which Divine never was - every female role he ever played was played as a real woman.  This idea was honored in the Broadway adaptation and every actor who has played Edna played her as a woman.  Never as a drag act.  

Can some learned person explain fantasy and reality re the above.Is Edna a man or a woman. Is it a gimmick? Can't be about acceptance otherwise she would be drag and Tracey adopted. Love the show but never understood Edna----need some help here.

Thanks

 

SL....X

 

 

 

 

 

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