BWW Reviews: MTW's Joyful HAIRSPRAY Revival Charms in Long Beach
Almost ten years after its triumphant debut on Broadway, the eight-time Tony Award-winning musical HAIRSPRAY is making quite a resurgence lately, thanks to the plethora of regional theaters across the country that now have licenses to mount their own versions. It's a good thing, too, because the show is one of the funniest and most entertaining stage musicals of the modern era, and one that deserves an afterlife with a new crop of the nicest kids in town. Bursting with laughs and ear candy from heel to coif, the wonderful folks over at Musical Theatre West have put on a very worthy, slam-dunk of a revival, recreating HAIRSPRAY with impressive moxie and a staggeringly talented cast. The show continues its brief run at the Carpenter Center for the Performing Arts in Long Beach, California through November 13.
BWW Reviews: MTW's HAIRSPRAY Lasts Longer with More Body
Hairspray, can't get enough of that Hairspray! 60s girls lacquered up their dos - hair, that is, with oodles and oodles of it until their hair was a sticky, gooey mess; well, the musical of the same name has been seen close to a half dozen times in the last several months, and few seem to tire of it...why? It's a stroll down memory lane, it's nostalgia... that is pleasant - even when it's about issues that aren't... like segregation, it's a far cry from the unpleasantness in today's world, so it goes down easier... and, it has all those crazy song and dance tunes of the era...well, an original score by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, but one that sounds exactly like the hit tunes of the 60s. Musical Theatre West's (MTW) current production of the now classic Hairspray is about the best there is or has been, bar none! With an evenly spectacular cast, super direction by Larry Raben and stupendous choreography by Lee Martino, its star shines ever so brightly.
Photo Flash: Musical Theatre West Opens HAIRSPRAY!
HAIRSPRAY opened in 2002 on Broadway and had 2,642 performances at the Neil Simon Theatre. With music by Marc Shaiman, Lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Williams and book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, HAIRSPRAY and its feel-good, upbeat score includes the songs 'Good Morning Baltimore,' 'Mama, I'm a Big Girl Now' and 'You Can't Stop the Beat.'
Cast Announced for Musical Theatre West's HAIRSPRAY, 10/28 - 11/13
Musical Theatre West is proud to announce that it will open its 59th Season with the mega-hit HAIRSPRAY at the beautiful 1,070-seat Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. HAIRSPRAY previews October 28 and runs for fourteen performances through November 13, 2011
Cast Announced for Musical Theatre West's HAIRSPRAY, 10/28 - 11/13
Musical Theatre West is proud to announce that it will open its 59th Season with the mega-hit HAIRSPRAY at the beautiful 1,070-seat Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. HAIRSPRAY previews October 28 and runs for fourteen performances through November 13, 2011
Musical Theatre West's WEDDING SINGER Opens 7/8
Musical Theatre West is proud to announce the cast for the professional regional premiere of THE WEDDING SINGER directed by Larry Raben at the beautiful 1,070-seat Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. THE WEDDING SINGER runs July 9 through July 24, 2011, with a low priced preview on July 8.
'IDOL' WATCH: The Top 10 Men
"Idol" surprised viewers tonight, sending the gentlemen on to perform instead of the previously scheduled women. At the top of the episode, Ryan Seacrest explained that fan favorite Crystal Bowersox was taken to the hospital and was recommended to not perform by her doctors. "Idol" producers, as well as the guys themselves, were accommodating and decided to go tonight and allow Bowersox the night to rest.
'IDOL' WATCH: The Top 24 Part 1
In an 'American Idol' first, seven of the Top 24 contestants were revealed on tonight's episode. After featuring snippets of many contestants' performances, 'Idol' split the hopefuls into three groups, sending one-third of the contestants home before the final judging. Then, each remaining contestant sat down with the judges to learn whether they would be singing in front of America or ending their journey in Hollywood. Some performances worked, others fell surprisingly flat, but the big news from tonight's 'Idol' is who made it through Hollywood.
'IDOL' WATCH: Hollywood Group Auditions
Tonight episode of 'American Idol' brought the always-entertaining group auditions. The remaining contestants form groups of three to five people, choose from a select list of songs, and choreograph the number to perform in front of the judges. Group auditions always provide for an excellent episode, as it is the only time in the show when contestants are forced to depend on others in their performance.
'IDOL' WATCH: Hollywood Round One
The first round of Hollywood auditions on 'American Idol' brought the welcome addition of Ellen DeGeneres to the judging panel. Ellen replaced Paula Abdul, after Paula was not hired back for 'Idol's' ninth season. Ellen was a refreshing change to panel, being brutally honest to the contestants, as well as providing several amusing comments about the performances.
'IDOL' WATCH: Dallas Auditions
'American Idol' made its way back to the location of its season one winner, visiting the city of Dallas and home of pop superstar Kelly Clarkson. The guest judges joining 'Idol' in the state of Texas were teen heartthrob Joe Jonas and television and Broadway star and Tony Award host Neil Patrick Harris. Dallas brought some excellent singers into the mix and some will definitely make a splash in Hollywood.
TV Stage Tube Diana DeGarmo Sings from New 'OZ the Musical'
American Idol and Broadway HAIRSPRAY star Diana DeGarmo will star as 'Dorothy' in OZ THE MUSICAL, a contemporary musical treatment of the popular L. Frank Baum story 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,' the production began a Texas based tour in February 2009.
Diana DeGarmo Leads New 'OZ the Musical' Tour in 2/09
American Idol and Broadway HAIRSPRAY star Diana DeGarmo will star as 'Dorothy' in OZ THE MUSICAL, a contemporary musical treatment of the popular L. Frank Baum story 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,' the production will begin a Texas based tour in February 2009. The original musical was written by Plainview native Todrick D. Hall. Direction and choreography also are by Hall, who danced with Ballet Lubbock at age 9 under artistic director Yvonne Racz, and, more recently, appeared in the Broadway musical 'The Color Purple.'
