HAIRSPRAY is next NBC Musical...

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Ansel is a no for me. Can he sing?

 

I know he did musicals in high school (including Hairspray with Kyle Jean-Baptiste).

[CindersGolightly]

I didn't know that! Was he Link? He gives off much more of a Corny vibe to me.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

He was Link...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfosjB5JWZg

[CindersGolightly]

Wow! He's terrific. I take back what I said. I think he'd be great.

[serene_embers]

Jeffrey Karasarides said: "Link: I can't think of anyone. Anybody but Darren Criss.

 

 

 

Ansel Elgort?
Jonathan Groff?
Grant Gustin?
Jeremy Jordan?

 

"

I think Grant and Ansel are the best options on this list.  Jeremy and Groff are a bit too old, IMO.  Though I think Jeremy would be a good Corny.

[teddy1996]

Here are my casting ideas:

Tracy Turnblad- newcomer

Edna Turnblad- harvey fierstein

Wilbur Turnblad- nathan lane

Corny Collins- Matthew Morrison

Link Larkin- Nick jonas

Penny Pingleton- sarah hyland or ariel winter

Penny's mother- allison janey

Seaweed- newcomer

Little Inez- newcomer

Velma Von Tussle- jane krakowski

Amber Von Tussle- dianna agron

Motormouth Maybelle- Jill scott

The dynamites- newcomers

Mr. Pinky- matthew broderick

 

 

[gleek4114]

Holy crap there are so many great options on here! I would be happy with so many of these combinations. I'm just going to list who I would be happy with in every role:

Tracy- Ryan Redmond, some other newcomer

Edna- Harvey Fierstein,  Nathan Lane, Eric Stonestreet

Link- Nick Jonas, Derek Klena, Darren Criss, newcomer

Wilbur- Martin Short, Billy Crystal, Matthew Broderick, Tony Danza

Amber- Annaleigh Ashford, Taylor Louderman, newcomer

Velma- Cheno, Benanti, Christine B., Megan Mullally, Jessica Lange, Lesli Margherita, Andrea Martin, Julia Murney, Faith Prince, Jenn Colella, Harriett Harris, Patti LuPone, Sherie Rene Scott, Orfeh

Motormouth Maybelle - Darlene Love, Queen L, Lilias White, Jennifer Hudson, Audra McDonald, LaChanze

Authority Figure- Susan Backwell, Jackie Hoffman, Allison Janney, Andrea Martin, Julia Murney, Heidi Blickenstaff, Mary Testa, Kristine Nielson

Corny- Matthew Morrison, Rob McClure, Christian Borle, Will Chase

Penny- Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato

Seaweed- Elijah Kelly, newcomer

I'll edit this post as I think of more. 

 

 

[brdway411]

CindersGolightly said: "Tracy: Ryann Redmond 

 

Edna: Harvey Fierstein

 

Penny: Ariana Grande

 

Amber: Annaleigh Ashford

 

Velma: Christine Ebersole

 

Corny: Neil Patrick Harris

 

Link: I can't think of anyone. Anybody but Darren Criss."

Kyle Riabko  would make a perfect Link

[darreyl102]

Please no Latifah- her vocals were good in the film, but her Live version of 'I Know Where I've Been' the times she's performed it were just okay. I would Love Darlene Love or Jenifer Lewis to play the part- Charlotte Crossley would be great too. Many Many women could play this role- but I want someone that has that real gospel soul big voice the character needs. Patti LaBelle would have tore it up back in the day, even during the show's Broadway Run. But her acting leaves alot to be desired. LOL

For Velma, I can really see Christine Ebersole as others have said, along with Cheno. I have always wanted to see Vanessa Williams play Velma, especially after seeing her in Ugly Betty, Which was a very Velma like. I know she may be African American, but with the right makeup she can pass for white. I know it would never happen- but I bet she would be great in the role. It's my biggest dream to have Linda Hart play the role again- if only to finally have a professional recording of 'Velma's Revenge' with Linda since it didn't make the OBC cast recording and her version was brilliant!

[darreyl102]

The Idea of Patti Lupone as Velma is very interesting and I can actually see it working- Giving her 'Velma's Revenge' the same madness as 'Rose's Turn'. LOL

[Charley Kringas Inc]

It'd be nice if they cast actual fat people.

[CindersGolightly]

If they don't cast actual fat people I'll boycott.

 

I know the deal isn't closed yet, but based on when we got the other casting announcements for the other Live! musicals, when do you suppose we'll get our first bit of casting information for this?

[gypsy101]

I'm pretty sure for The Wiz they announced Queen Latifah and a few others in the summer, July or August I believe.

[JM226]

Rehearsals for most of the cast begin in September so yeah. probably July or August. 

[Mrtrobz]

Perhaps Blige or Hudson would work as Mabel.

[Mrtrobz]

Perhaps Blige or Hudson would work as Mabel.

[BroadwayGirlie2]

Sounds like a great line up for the cast to me...  Can't wait to see it.. 

[ucjrdude902]

Am I the only one who thinks it's absurd to even think Ariana Grande would do this? Isn't she about to be on a world tour?

[ucjrdude902]

Can Monique sing? She could be a great Motormouth. Not to mention saying, "Academy Award Winner Monique as Motormouth Maybelle" doesn't hurt the marketing team. 

[BroadwayGirlie2]

probably not but however you are the only one that writes comments such as the one above.

[teddy1996]

Ya but they aren't even big girls. 

[broadwayguy2]

Not diving deeply into this one yet, but I will absolutely say there is not a chance if Charlotte Crossley being allowed anywhere near a first-class staging if Hairspray ever again, let alone a filmed version.

That is easily seen and found public knowledge.

[ljay889]

Not sure if it was mentioned but I think James Corden would be a fabulous Edna, but I'm sure it would be next to impossible with his CBS late night show.

[WinstonSalem]

I think Darren Criss would be a great Link, but Link casting will depend so much on Tracy. If their Tracy is 18-22, then none of Criss, Jeremy Jordan or Jonathan Groff would probably work. (That would age Annaleigh out of casting for Penny as well.)  IMO, Ansel doesn't have the charisma for the role although he does sing very well.  Nick Jonas would be OK. Grant Gustin is such a great idea, but seems very unlikely given his TV schedule?  Benati as Velma?  YES. As others have said, there are a lot of really great people around who could play these roles.  This show could be a ton of fun!

[luvbrdway]

slmlbl said: "Bennati as Velma- Please?

 

I'd could see Matthew Morrison as Corny as a nod to the original production and thank to his popularity.

 

I like this. 

 

"

 

[Kad]

Link is actually a pretty thankless role, filling the slot that would traditionally be the female ingenue love interest: look nice, sound nice. The role is not really a star turn, scene-stealing vehicle, in the way the other supporting roles are- even Seaweed, who has a genuine showstopper in "Run and Tell That." "It Takes Two" and even "Ladies Choice" (if they choose to do that instead, but why would they?) aren't terribly exciting songs.