Hairspray @ The Muny
Hairspray @ The Muny
#1Hairspray @ The Muny
Posted: 6/25/15 at 2:35pm
I'm seeing the Production on closing night and wanted to know what people who saw it before then think of the production. I have seen Hairspray an insane number of times and am very excited for this production as I really loved their last production of the show. I particularly want to know about Liz Mikel (Motormouth) and Heather Ayers (Velma). What were your thoughts on the show: cast, choreography, costumes ect. Thanks in Advance!!!
Darreyl with an L!
#2Hairspray @ The Muny
Posted: 6/25/15 at 4:24pm
It was discussed here a bit: https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=1082909&dt=33
Not a lot of people have seen it yet, but Ryann Redmond is perfect casting.
Ali333
Swing Joined: 6/25/15
#2Hairspray @ The Muny
Posted: 6/26/15 at 8:01pm
Since you mentioned Liz Mikel I thought you may want to hear her sing the National Anthem at the Cardinal game:
I'm also seeing the show Monday night but friends who have seen it were impressed with her performance. Also noteworthy was 10 year old Kennedy Holmes who plays Little Inez. Apparently she was amazing and stole the show.
rawrali
Chorus Member Joined: 5/11/15
#3Hairspray @ The Muny
Posted: 6/28/15 at 5:03pmI saw the show last night. I thought both Liz Mikel and Heather Ayers were excellent - Heather reminded me a lot of Megan Mullally. I thought Ryann and John (Link) were a bit weak - they seemed to get drowned out a lot. The way they used the video screen was pretty great - one of the best I've seen since it was introduced. Kennedy Holmes was wonderful as Little Inez. The choreography and costumes were fine, but I wasn't blown away. Overall it was a really fun show and the audience seemed really into it. I had a massive migraine through the 2nd act which probably hampered my enjoyment a bit, but it was still quite fun. Taylor Louderman looked like she was having a lot of fun playing Amber.
#4Hairspray @ The Muny
Posted: 6/28/15 at 11:21pm
Ryann Redmond is perfect casting on paper, but she appears to struggle with the stamina required of Tracy in the promo footage. I'm sure this staging of the show is particularly demanding considering how wide and deep the Muny stage is.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qboKanU8j0
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Fosse76
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/21/05
#6Hairspray @ The Muny
Posted: 6/28/15 at 11:49pm
What the HELL is she wearing during You Can't Stop the Beat? Tracy is apparently joining a 1980s punk rock band.
#7Hairspray @ The Muny
Posted: 6/28/15 at 11:55pm
Not familiar with Redmond's work, but her clips are rough. I agree with you, somethingwicked, that it seems to have something to do with the size of the stage. She seems to be struggling to fill up the space and that's a requirement for Tracy. Tracy's energy should fill the entire theatre.
I used to be so pissed that Winokur won the Tony over Bernadette Peters (being a huge fan of Peters and her performance on the GYPSY album) but over the years, the more I listen to Winokur's performance, the more I realize what a unique turn it was and I'm so happy she was recognized. I feel like there's actors out there that I can see being good Ednas, but I can't think of a single person who could match Winokur's Tracy.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
#8Hairspray @ The Muny
Posted: 7/1/15 at 11:40pm
Saw the show last night and had such a fun time!!!
Bryan made a terrific Edna, and Ryann was a great Tracy Too. She did seem to get winded at times. Christoper Hanke is just soo darn cute and made a great Corny. The whole cast were strong. Something about Link seemed a little off during 'It Takes Two' though. Special mention has to go to Jenn Harris who was giving Jackie Hoffman a run for her money as the Female authority figure- She was perfectly hysterical.
Heather Ayers made a fantastic Velma and i loved everything about her. She found laughs in places i have never seen an actress find them before. I second how much she reminds of Megan Mullally! She was just perfect. Liz Mikel was wonderful as Motormouth and her IKWIB was very moving even though the end notes were not as big as alot of versions. But her vocals were awesome and she reminded me of Pearl Bailey.
I actually liked the costumes and the set. The giant TV was used very well. My main complaint on costumes was with Velma- her costumes were very plain and boring, even in the finale. The whole joke about the Von Tussles is that they are always overdressed for everything. Some of the costumes were of the Broadway design- some of which were on different characters (like Edna wearing Motormouth's purple robe). Still some interesting costume designs. It's hard for me to remember the Muny's first production because it was soo hot and i was soo far back- that and it was 2009, so it's hard for me to compare. And having seen the Broadway show SOO many times and countless other productions, they kinda blend together after a while. LOL
Darreyl with an L!
LightsOut90
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/2/14
#9Hairspray @ The Muny
Posted: 7/2/15 at 2:08am
christ the size of that stage is ridiculous. and yay for Jenn Harris getting some love in this thread, luv her!!!
