Donna Vivino as Tracy

[DrEinstein]

Posted: 4/5/04 at 3:36am

Okay...this is my first post..just saw the show in Denver. Saw the understudy Donna Vivino. She blew me away. Apparantly it was her first time on and I couldn't believe it. It seemed like she was made to be Tracy. She was so cute and funny and was better than the girl I saw in New York last summer. Awesome voice. Great actress. She looked so adorable on stage!! She should play Tracy someday. Did anyone else see her go on? Where has she been? how long has she been in Hairspray?

[BrdwyThtr]

Posted: 4/5/04 at 6:05am

She's been in the ensemble since the tour started.

[That Groovy Guy]

Posted: 4/5/04 at 10:11am

Donna Vivino? Is this the same Donna Vivino that was the original young Cosette on Broadway?

Posted: 4/5/04 at 10:42am

I have a Donna Vivino story. As it is a custom on broadway; pranks are played on a performer when they are giving their last performance in a show. Well; when she was in Les Miz ( and she was a little girl) she was giving her last performance and she decided that she would be the one to play a joke on the company. The girl went into the green room of the broadway theater and deposited a cup of her urine in the coffee maker. Coffee which was drank by many members of the company. I am not making this up. I was one of the unfortunate victims. Poor Donna; there was alittle party planned for her after the show which of course was a dud. Updated On: 4/5/04 at 10:42 AM

[ckeaton]

Posted: 4/5/04 at 10:44am

Ew.
That's more than a prank.

In the immortal words of 'The Ladies Man'
thas jus dishgusthing.

[Benzy92]

Posted: 4/5/04 at 10:47am

that is awful! gross!

[backstage97]

Posted: 4/5/04 at 12:10pm

I have heard this urban legend for years now. If it indeed did happen, Donna was about 9 years old. I think it is ridiculous, that it has even been brought up. From what I hear there were numerous CHILDREN involved in that prank. I have known Donna as an ADULT and she is an extremely talented, wonderful triple threat. I wonder if there has been nothing in the childhood of the people reading this that you have not either regreted or been unfairly accused of. Don't you think it's time to move on people.

[newyorkuniq]

Posted: 4/5/04 at 12:45pm

Im seeing Hairspray in Denver this weekend:)

[Musetta1957]

Posted: 4/5/04 at 2:18pm

"Donna Vivino? Is this the same Donna Vivino that was the original young Cosette on Broadway?"

Keeping in mind that Equity doesn't allow duplicate names...

Posted: 4/5/04 at 2:31pm

backstage97;
There was one other child involved in the prank. And it is something that is going to follow ms Vivino forever. And it did happen. I was there. And if you do know her; why don't you just ask her. She will tell you. Updated On: 4/5/04 at 02:31 PM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/5/04 at 2:34pm

And how much different did it taste from a typical cup of Starbucks? How would anybody have even known that she did it?

Posted: 4/5/04 at 2:36pm

Namo;
Not that different. But there wasn't Starbucks at every corner at the time. And no one was aware till she told everyone. :)

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 4/5/04 at 4:43pm

So glad Donna got to go on. Yes the story is true (I worked at that theatre when it happened). But she wasn't the only person to participate. I'll leave it at that.

[backstage97]

Posted: 4/5/04 at 5:46pm

Let me get this straight. Rather than focus on Donna's talent, her phenomenol stage presence, her sensational voice that makes jaws drop on a daily basis, someone would rather play the juvenile game of he-said she-said in order to perpetuate something negative towards someone whose potential in this industry is limitless. It is also quite amazing that anyone would believe that a childhood prank deserves to be held over one's head for all eternity. Judge not, lest ye be judged. Updated On: 4/5/04 at 05:46 PM

[JimVukovich]

Posted: 4/5/04 at 8:46pm

I was lucky enough to conduct the orchestra for Donna Vivino's debut as Tracy Turnblad. After working with and/or seeing all the Tracy's thus far on Broadway and the National Tour, all I have to say is that VIVINO IS A CONTENDER. She was fabulous and the 5000 + audience members and fellow company members were all blown away. ROCK ON DONNA.............you are an enormous talent.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/5/04 at 8:49pm

But did you drink a cup of coffee at work that day?

Posted: 4/5/04 at 10:28pm

Namo you crack me up. Anyway; I am sure she is wonderful. I didn't mean any harm. But this a pretty well known story. One that I am sure would just get a humorous response out of her. Lighten up people! Glad she did well. Would love to see her in it. Updated On: 4/5/04 at 10:28 PM

[jcr279]

Posted: 4/5/04 at 11:03pm

Was Donna Vivino in an older movie called "Married to It" with Cybil Shepard, Stockard Channing, and Mary Stuart Masterson?? I think she was the young gilr in that movie. If so she did a great job singing that Joni Mitchell song in the end of the movie. I've always loved that part. Does anyone know if its her??

Posted: 4/5/04 at 11:18pm

I don't know. i think you can look it up on the internet movie database

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/5/04 at 11:22pm

Do you know if Donna knows Christine Baranski? Because if she does I'm sure Christine told her to give Cybill a cup of Donna's Special Brew.

Posted: 4/5/04 at 11:39pm

Namo; I have a suggestion.. DONNA VIVINO in URINETOWN!

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/5/04 at 11:45pm

Is she short enough for Little Sally?

[Amneris]

Posted: 4/6/04 at 1:44pm

yes, that is donna in "married to it". I LOVE that movie! Especially the end.. i love that song. She had a gorgeous voice then and now it's even bigger and better. Plus, she looks exactly the same as she did when she was a kid in that film.

[jcr279]

Posted: 4/6/04 at 3:07pm

Thanks Amneris! I thought it was. I can't believe someone esle loves that movie...I thought I was the only one. I laughed till I thought I would die. I agree about the end, I have always loved when that part comes and she sings "The Circle Game". At least I think thats what its called.

[weasel]

Posted: 4/6/04 at 8:22pm

Went to see Hairspray in Denver on 4/4/04. When I opened the playbill and that understudy announcement fell out I was bummed. I couldn't believe it. An understudy was on for Tracy. Well, I eat those words. Donna Vivino was sensational! She just captured my heart and everyone around me was raving about her. She is an amazing talent. To think she was an UNDERSTUDY. If that's the kind of talent the understudy has I can't imagine it getting much better than that. I hear there are other Hairspray tours in the works. Will she be playing Tracy in any of those? She most definitely should be playing Tracy somewhere!