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When I saw Hairspray at the multiplex a little over a year ago, I remember smiling from ear to ear during most of the film, so it was a pleasure to watch it again and have the same reaction.
So much of the infectious fun jumps off the screen, mainly thanks to the bubbly newcomer, Nikki Blonsky and the pastiche tunes of Marc Shaiman. "You Can't Stop the Beat" has got to be one of the funnest closing numbers in all of musical theater. And who knew James Marsden could sing? He could have a career as a crooner, if he wanted. I even like Michelle Pfeiffer as the over-coiffed villain, although she does seem at times to be drifting.
I've never seen the show on stage or the 1988 John Waters film the show is based on, but I think I need to see both.
Is it just me, or do musicals of the "third millennium" seem to focus on women leads taking the reigns of their lives and bucking conventionality? Wicked, Hairspray, Legally Blond all follow that formula. Well if there's one way to a gay man's Broadway heart, it's to have an unconventional woman win.
Hairspray
Music by Marc Shaiman
Lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman
Directed by Adam Shankman
Based on the story by John Waters
Released in 2007
Cast: Nikki Blonsky, John Travolta, Christopher Walken, Amanda Bynes, Allison Janney, James Marsden, Michelle Pfeiffer, Brittany Snow, Zac Efron, Queen Latifah
So much of the infectious fun jumps off the screen, mainly thanks to the bubbly newcomer, Nikki Blonsky and the pastiche tunes of Marc Shaiman. "You Can't Stop the Beat" has got to be one of the funnest closing numbers in all of musical theater. And who knew James Marsden could sing? He could have a career as a crooner, if he wanted. I even like Michelle Pfeiffer as the over-coiffed villain, although she does seem at times to be drifting.
I've never seen the show on stage or the 1988 John Waters film the show is based on, but I think I need to see both.
Is it just me, or do musicals of the "third millennium" seem to focus on women leads taking the reigns of their lives and bucking conventionality? Wicked, Hairspray, Legally Blond all follow that formula. Well if there's one way to a gay man's Broadway heart, it's to have an unconventional woman win.
Hairspray
Music by Marc Shaiman
Lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman
Directed by Adam Shankman
Based on the story by John Waters
Released in 2007
Cast: Nikki Blonsky, John Travolta, Christopher Walken, Amanda Bynes, Allison Janney, James Marsden, Michelle Pfeiffer, Brittany Snow, Zac Efron, Queen Latifah
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