Ariana Grande cast as Penny in "Hairspray Live"

[gypsy101]

Wouldn't they probably have Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman write any new song for the production? Zadan and Meron have a relationship with them from the movie version of Hairspray and the show Smash so I'm sure they'll be involved with this production. I've actually thought in the past it would be kind of cool if Penny had a song and Ariana would be a good excuse for it, if they can find an appropriate place for it in the show. (the new song in Grease wasn't too bad of a song out of context but it didn't fit...for some reason they felt Carly Rae needed a song there)

[jbroadway4]

[jbroadway4]

Dancingthrulife2 said: "After seeing her performance in Screen Queen, I wouldn't get my hopes high.

 

"

(start at 2:45) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ebnf2V6xtpQ 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7E5QXkkF5-U

 

You're welcome!

[CindersGolightly]

That clip of her in Scream Queens when she returns from the dead is actually one of the funniest parts of the series. She really is a comic genius, in my opinion.

[ClumsyDude15]

(the new song in Grease wasn't too bad of a song out of context but it didn't fit...but obviously the guys who wrote the show were dead and they wanted Carly Rae to get a song for some reason.)

The music for Grease was written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey with additional songs written by John Farrar. Both Jim and John are very much still alive, while Warren passed away in the 80's. 

Back on the topic at hand, Ariana will be fantastic in the role. The sort of response around here reminds me of when Diana Degarmo was announced to play the role on Broadway and then she ended up being one of the best Pennys to play the role. Ariana has the vocals and the acting chops, and I'm very excited to see what she brings to Penny. 

[broadwayguy91]

CindersGolightly said: "That clip of her in Scream Queens when she returns from the dead is actually one of the funniest parts of the series. She really is a comic genius, in my opinion.

 

"

you're referring to her coming back as a ghost,  or the part where she gets stabbed, dies, then suddenly resurrects herself to press "send", and then dies again?

[Liza's Headband]

CindersGolightly said: "That clip of her in Scream Queens when she returns from the dead is actually one of the funniest parts of the series. She really is a comic genius, in my opinion.

 

"

 

Stop. Delete your account. 

[CindersGolightly]

I don't know why you're so insistent on being mean to an eighteen year old boy for being a fan of someone who has been on Broadway, getting a part in a musical. I end most of my posts with "in my opinion," I don't see why it bothers you so much.

[DramaTeach]

I actually don't think Penny should have her own song.  The whole point of her character is that she's so nervous and tightly wound until she meets Seaweed.  After that, she has a few diva moments which are comical because we haven't seen her let go at all.  I feel like the moments that her character has are perfect, and giving her more would be too much of a good thing.

[Valentina3]

Look, at the end of the day, it is Marc and Scott's show. They can do whatever the hell they want with it. Add songs. Remove songs. You get to enjoy a piece of art brought into this world, and you get to review it after you've seen it. Please stop with the hatred and trolling.

Even IF she is a weak acting link, she's achieved more than most people have, and will bring a pretty big audience - which is what a commercial show is about. 

[gypsy101]

ClumsyDude15 said: "The music for Grease was written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey with additional songs written by John Farrar. Both Jim and John are very much still alive, while Warren passed away in the 80's."

Whoops! that's what I get for not checking my facts. I think for some reason because it's set in the 50's I forget that it was written in the 70's. (I don't know if I would say they're very much alive, but you're right that they are still living.)

[Liza's Headband]

Mr. Nowack said: "I don't stalk anyone, you just seem to permeate very single thread! Perhaps I would be wise to bid the Boards goodbye as so many great posters have in the face of trollery."

 

That would be wonderful! Please do follow through on that.  xo

[jacobsnchz14]

"I actually don't think Penny should have her own song.  The whole point of her character is that she's so nervous and tightly wound until she meets Seaweed.  After that, she has a few diva moments which are comical because we haven't seen her let go at all."

I think if Penny were to get a song, it'd be right before "Without Love". If it were to be played like in the recent movie where Prudy ties her up before the song and before Seaweed shows up, it'd be appropriate for her to have some of that "checkerboard chick" development and discovery, to the point where in her "Without Love" solo there were a more-established progression in her character. But that's just my guessing (1) if a new song were to be written (and it would be a good one if Marc/Scott wrote it) and (2) my backing that up on where I think it would fall in Penny's arc. :)