Hairspray (2002 Original Broadway Cast) Reviews

• Hairspray...not worth the hype

  
  By on 2002-08-13
  I recently saw this show in previews. I would have to say that it is one of the cheesiest shows I have ever seen on Broadway. I spent hours trying to get tickets to the show and I don't think I would even take the time to pick up the phone and order the tickets again if they were free. The jokes aren't funny and in many cases distateful. This is no Producers (as some have called it) Then again I don't like Mama Mia, Grease, or Little Shop. But if you like those shows you will like this one. It's the same corny, bubble gum, over the top type of show. That wouldn't bother me that much, what really bothered me was Tracy's voice (or the way they made her sing for the show.) I understand that it is a character voice...but if she sang "oh..oh..oh" out of her nose one more time I think I would have thrown something at her. But make your own opinion. The music actually isn't that bad, it's just some of the voices. And the lyrics are complete cheese. Lets just say the CD is better than the show. If your like me and you hated Mama Mia, Little Shop, etc. you will hate this show.
  
  

• Not Impressed.

  
  By AXBQAABQN8YMA on 2003-02-27
  For all the praise and awards that this show has garnered, I was expecting something-ANYTHING better than this! Over-produced, and under-talented, I found this as the biggest waste of my money and it went straight to a used CD store!

  I understand it's supposed to be the anti-musical musical, but there is something to be said for occasionally hitting the right notes-maybe not all the time, but at least once a song-is that asking too much for a Broadway smash?

  Bottom Line:The story's a shmaltzy feel-good parading around like a serious matter, and that's not too bad-but the music-your money would be better spent buying ANYTHING else!
  
  

• Slickly Botched

  
  By on 2002-08-13
  The disclaimer is that this is a review of the cd, not the score, which is wonderful. The problem with the recording is that it was produced by the composer, Marc Shaiman, who has mostly worked with incidental film music. This score needed a producer familiar with theatrical sound because the score is easily the best thing about seeing the show live. What we get in this recording in a slickly produced (overproduced) pop record that favors the lead vocals while treating the accompanying music and vocals as background (in the truest sense of the word). The urgency and fun of the music is lost here, and this recording lands with a hefty thud when it should have sparkled to life. Oh, and the percussion is really loud, too, perhaps to try to give the recording a Wall of Sound-like quality. It just ends up being distracting and overwhelming. Hopefully, the show will be recorded live, or it will eventually be remastered. For now it's a lame souvenir of a theatrically vibrant score.
  
  

• Hairspray- Not What I Expected

  
  By on 2002-08-14
  I recently saw the show in previews and was surpised by how bad it was. Nothing about this show makes it the next Producers. My opinion is that next to Mama Mia, it is the worst show on Broadway right now. The show is filled with corny, bubble gum songs that are a cross between Grease and Little Shop of Horrors. The only song in the score that is any good is the opening "Good Morning Baltimore." But if I heard the girl who played Tracy sing "oh...oh...oh" in that annoying high pitched squeal one more time I think I would have ripped my ears out. It's not worth the money to get this CD and definetely don't waste your time trying to get tickets.
  
  

• Save your money and skip the ironic re-re-hash

  
  By A15T4JFRI0XSHY on 2002-09-09
  The buzz is just fizzzzz. Another sung-through stage play with music. Everyone's been comparing it to The Producers (because it's a new stage version of a movie, with music), but this does not compare in any way to the craft of The Producers: a musical-comedy. The camp and quality of John Waters' 14-year-old movie was minimal and does not even come through in this production. Sadly, this emperor has no clothes.
  
  
• Shrill, squeaky, and actually annoying.
  By A598U97VH0L7 on 2002-10-18
  I missed the previews on Broadway last year, which started a week after I had left, but I was terribly excited to hear the cast recording. Except for "Without Love," "I Know Where I've Been," "(It's) Hairspray," and "You Can't Stop the Beat," I was actually quite annoyed with the shrill and squeaky voices all around. If all that is supposed to bring one back to the early 60's, I'm real' glad I was too young to know any better. This is definitely not an easy listen, and actually staggeringly traumatic on the ears and senses.
  
  
• Ho Hum
  By on 2002-08-16
  Well, I guess I was expecting too much of the music I heard on the movie soundtrack. This was ok but not as good as the movie soundtrack.
  
  
• Mediocre faux 60's schmaltz
  By AUZ2JHIBRZ11V on 2003-04-06
  OK, OK, I get it! She's trying to sound like the Ronnettes, right? Yikes, is that "Oh, Oh, Oh," nasality annoying! The show is no Bat Boy or even Lint! The Musical for that matter. On the first listen, you'll know where each song is going because it's a total ripoff (not an homage) to a song from the 60's. So much potential, so little return.
  
  
• Bad! Bad! Bad!
  By on 2003-04-13
  I can't believe I rearranged my schedule and flew to New York to see this show. It is sooooo OVERRATED! It's fluff and the songs and actors don't make things any better: the songs are cheesy and the squeeky voices are so annoying I couldn't wait to get out of the theater!

  I wouldn't even think of purchasing the CD, nor wait for it to win the Tony Awards. This shouldn't even be nominated!
  
  

• Okay
  By on 2003-04-02
  Not bad -- in fact, very entertaining. But awards-wise, NOT deserving of the Grammy and certainly not the Tony. There are other musicals out there that should receive these awards.

  If you just want to have fun, though, this CD is worth checking out.
  
  

• Don't use your brains and be swayed by the hype
  By A1EZ1PSEOR740C on 2003-05-04
  Everything is overdone -- from the lyrics to the voices to the "bubble-gummy" atmosphere, including the hype that comes along with this overrated production. And this won a Grammy and is expecting a Tony? This is slap on the face the many excellent shows on Broadway that deserve the recognition! So much for discerning tastes...
  
  
• Fun and good, but yes, OVERRATED!
  By A10GYKA4035P0U on 2003-05-23
  There's no question that a show can be both entertaining and excellent, but this lightweight musical, with its lighweight theme and poor quality singing, is certainly NOT in that category. Amour, Take Me Out, Nine, Movin Out, Flower Drum Song, Urban Cowboy, and MANY other musicals that do not necessarily make you laugh and sing, but make you think and touch your heart, are more deserving of recognition. Indeed, someone hasn't seen any good shows lately. If Hairspray is your benchmark for a top-quality musical, that raises questions about your taste and theatrical aptitude.
  
  
• So infectious there should be a vaccine...
  By A25AXWGBGJ5KBS on 2004-02-28
  "Hairspray" is a terrific modern musical. It could be this generation's "Grease", only with a better plot. In fact, if you like "Grease" AND you enjoy "Little Shop of Horrors", this is a guaranteed future favorite for you.
  The story, such that it is, involves Tracy Turnblad, a chunky but peppy white female who aches to dance on a local "American Bandstand"-type show in Baltimore circa the early 60's. Not only does she not fit the "typical" teenager on the show, but she finds it astonishing that blacks cannot dance on the show with whites.
  Her mother, played by the inimitable Harvey Fierstein, naturally underestimates her daughter's tenacity. She believes that Tracy will never get on the show, and doesn't want to see her crushed by unattainable goals.
  As you'd expect, she gets on the show, and dancing integration is achieved, but the music used to get you there is flat-out, full-blown, grin-from-ear-to-ear FUN.
  It is brilliantly derivative of pre-British invasion rock music, melding rockabilly with Detroit soul. It sounds like EVERY song you can remember. Seriously. They're all here.
  In the same way that a fond memory tends to get better with time, the score distills the best parts of that era's music, and pretty much puts it ALL on the stage. Spector-ish epics, raucous Motown, steamy Stax, teen idol Presley...I could spend days counting off the references. There should be an index.
  The voices are above-average Broadway fare...WAY above-average in parts, and suit their characters just dandy.
  Perhaps the musical would be better served if the entire score was presented, as people who have not yet seen the show are missing out on some great stuff that happens between these tunes.
  Having just seen the show on Broadway, listening to the CD brings back the terrific time I had in the theater, but I think even the most jaded, uninitiated listener will cave into the unbridled enthusiasm of this project, notably the finale, "You Can't Stop The Beat." There's enough energy in that song to power the entire Tri-state area for a week.
  I loved this show.
  
  
• Overrated!
  By A2QI1CZTEES92G on 2003-05-16
  Sure, it's funny. And entertaining. But this is one show that does NOT deserve all the lavish praises (even nominations) it's getting. While the music is okay, the show just simply isn't awards-material. The singing and the quality of recording are hardly what one would even consider decent: nasal and squeeky voices made worse by inconsistent sound engineering don't make for good listening.

  This is one show that's definitely worth watching; but not worth watching it win the major awards. There are MANY, MANY more musicals out there (wiuth REAL quality) that should rightfully be recognized instead of this overhyped show!
  
  

• Horrible!
  By AZQJNUV12R5FK on 2003-05-25
  Whoever said that this was an excellent musical must either be deaf or hasn't seen ANY show at all, that listening to the squeeky voices singing cheesy songs in this poorly-crafted production provides lots of pleasure to his/her senses.

  This is one show that's way, way out of The Producers' league -- it doesn't even compare to the some of the shows that opened on Broadway this season (A Year with Frog and Toad, Gypsy, The Look of Love, Urban Cowboy) in either form or substance. The show does provide a few laughs -- for those with poor comic tastes.

  Watching this show is a waste of money, but getting the CD and just listening to it (without having seen the show that's bad to begin with) is pure torture.
  
  

• No its not horrible....
  By A2RHV42BTJSVON on 2003-06-20
  I normally rate things no lower than a 4... But for 'Hairspray' I was willing to make an exception... Why? Because its just not that good.

  Not even as lightweight entertainment. I enjoy musical comedies as much as the next one when they are masterfull. Like Guy and Dolls, Godspell, Kiss me Kate, Singin' in the Rain, Bye bye Birdie, Little Shop of Horrors, Lil' Abner, ect.

  This one just doesn't have enjoyable music. I haven't seen the music considering I live on the oppisette side of the country as Broadway, in Oregon. I did see them perform on the Tony's. And it did start to grow on me after the first couple mins. It wasn't to bad. But stand Marissa Jaret Winokur, and I'm sure they picked her because of that really annoying voice... But its just annoying... And the fact that SHE beat out BERNADETTE PETERS... Who had a completely outstanding performance as 'Mama Rose' from 'Gypsy' for best actress musical in a musical... I smell favoratism or something...

  Harvey Feistein as well... Though I understand that's just his voice, its pretty much unbearable. He won too over much better perforances... I was impressed by Antonia Banderas in '9' performance. Not saying he should have won, but he was much more bearable then Harvey was.

  Not that these people are bad actors, they do a commendable job in putting ALOT of spirit into this rather lack-luster score. So maybe for that reason alone they deserve the awards. But definetely Bernadette should have won that Tony. And I'm not biased, she was just amazing, a show-stopper. I'm rarely impressed and she just had me breathless... I was ready to lambaste her because I love Ethel Merman, but wow she holds her own in that role.

  But this music is so sacharine, I know that's the point. But its not sacharine in a good way...

  Some songs that were'nt completely shredding my ears were "It takes two", "The Nicest kids in town", "Big, blonde, and beautiful", AND "You can't stop the Beat". For the most part the music had me yeah...

  But I think the tracks I enjoy at all are the ones were Marissa isn't singin'.

  The fact that this won 8 Tony's... Was yeah... Anyways can't change what is... I don't know why I bought this I just expected it to be really good.

  I'll tell you though its never a downer, and if it were'nt for the singers it would be alot better(It would be highly enjoyable).

  God Bless ~Amy
  
  

• Buy another (any other) cast recording.
  By A1H3ZT4GQZS9I on 2003-06-21
  Be sure to have earplugs when listening to this awful musical. I saw the show. Absolutely dreadful. The nasally Monica Lewinsky look-alike in the lead will cause one to wretch. I like camp. Not all camp is good. This camp [stin]ks. Save your money. See another show. Buy another (any other) cast recording.
  
  
• Am Idol finalist Fantasia Barrino would be good in this!
  By on 2004-04-29
  American Idol finalist Fantasia Barrino, with her annoyingly loud and squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekkkkkkkkkkkkyyyyyyyyyky voice, would be an asset to this overrated production.
  
  
• Un-deserving of Tony or Grammy awards!
  By A3JP30OQ902H4H on 2004-04-30
  A generally entertaining show. Not theater awards-caliber, however, and definitely far from The Producers. The quality of recording also leaves much to be desired; it's made worse by the squeeking made by the actors throughout this musical.

  Overrated. Use your amazon.com purchase on another item.
  
  

• Good!
  By on 2003-04-02
  I actually enjoyed this. Funny and delightful, it gave me a good time when I watched it and when I got the CD.

  I think the only source of contention about this musical is whether it's Tony-caliber or not. It's light and is definitely not in the same league as Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera, or Miss Saigon, or even the revivals of the classic Oklahoma and the groundbreaking Flower Drum Song. So it would indeed be unfair to the other musicals on Broadway if we say this should win. (Even I would lose respect for the Tony judges if they choose this as best musical.)

  But it's GOOD at what it does: ENTERTAINING. And as long as people have clear expectations of what this can do when they see it (or buy the CD), they won't de disappointed.
  
  

• Who cares about the Tonys?
  By A9AENWH5OQ00U on 2003-06-15
  Eight, ten, even a hundred Tony Awards won't change the fact that this is a poorly-sung, poorly-recorded, poorly-thought musical that relies on the mediocre tastes of people who haven't seen better shows.

  There are many other shows on Broadway (with much, much better CDs) that you can spend your money on!
  
  

• Fun, but definitely overrated!
  By on 2004-02-21
  No substance, no story, no quality singing -- to think that this is a musical! Enjoyable to watch, but not the "great" show the swayed-by-the-hype Tony judges want us to believe.
  
  
• Two stars is being nice...
  By on 2004-03-30
  This has got to be one of the first musicals I didn't like. With the exception of a few songs (there are about seven that are enjoyable, but still, that's less than half!), the rest were simply awful. I cringe every time I hear Harvey Fierstein sing, especially in Timeless To Me! Trust me, skip Hairspray. Instead, check out Wicked with Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth. Now there's an amazing show!
  
  
• Overrated!
  By on 2004-04-23
  I love Marissa and think this musical is fun. I would not classify this show (and the annoyingly screechy-sounding voices on the CD) as theater-award-worthy, however, and I think it was grossly unfair to all the great musicals that were on Broadway last season that they didn't get the recognition THEY deserved because this show STOLE all the attention.
  
  
• One Of The Decade's Best
  By A2Z1DN5JF8AMHF on 2005-06-05
  "Hairspray" has a terrific score by Marc Shaiman & Scott Whittman, with songs that really stand up to repeated listenings.
  
  The cast is packed with great voices, especially that of its breakout star, Tony-Winner Marissa Jaret Winokur. Even Harvey Fierstein's star-turn as Edna is a blast!
  
  The whole cd is great from beginning to end, but standout tracks include:
  
  Good Morning Baltimore (great opening number)
  I Can Hear The Bells
  Welcome To The 60's (personal favorite)
  Run And Tell That
  Big, Blonde And Beautiful
  (You're) Timeless To Me
  Without Love
  I Know Where I've Been (very inspirational)
  You Can't Stop The Beat (great send-off)
  
  A really fun cd!
  
  
• Eh...
  By A1ST8C4G9HOOBU on 2003-08-13
  While Hairspray can be fun to listen to, this is not my idea of a musical. You want a musical? Check out Nine, Amour, Man of La Mancha, Gypsy...pretty much any of the other shows this season.

  This is just not Broadway material. The songs may be entertaining, but as another reviewer said, 60's pop. Actually, the only two songs I really enjoy are "Mama I'm a Big Girl Now" and "You Can't Stop the Beat." I find the rest of the songs to be a bit annoying, just because it's not the type of music I enjoy. I enjoy show tunes, and I would not consider these songs to be regular show tunes. The performers aren't the best either. I'm not the biggest fan of Marissa Jaret Winokur, and Harvey Fierstein is funny, but he can't sing. I think Laura Bell Bundy is good as Amber von Tussle, but the best thing about this recording is Kerry Butler. She's incredible, and if you're going to get this CD, get it for her.

  I think it's great that other people enjoy this, and I know of many Broadway lovers who do. But if you're a stickler for strictly standard Broadway material, you'd probably rather get Nine or Man of La Mancha.
  
  

• Not impressed
  By A2K1T4MV9V8ZLL on 2004-02-26
  Not bad at all. Given that many critics were supposedly wowed by this show, however, I was expecting more -- not really much more: just some substance and REAL singing. Good for laughs, but certainly not for awards.
  
  
• Overrated!
  By on 2004-06-11
  Nothing impressive at all about this whole production, except for its upbeat music. The voices are horrible and there's nothing to the story at all. Customers are right: it stole the Tony awards from other, more deserving productions.
  
  
• Yes, Am Idol Fantasia would be good here!
  By on 2004-06-25
  With her irritatingly squeaky voice, Non-Idol Fantasia Barrino would be an excellent performer in musical. Plus, they have something else in common: Fantasia and this show are both overrated! Ha ha ha!
  
  
• Overrated!
  By on 2004-07-13
  I like Marissa very much and had fun watching this. Compared with the major productions that graced Broadway last season, however, this pales substance-wise and form-wise. You can't even call the "singing" in this musical real singing. It's all squeaking, like, as some people have pointed out, what newly-crowned WB Supestar & Queen of Ghoul Fantasia Barrino does in all her numbers on American Idol.

  Enjoyable to see, but not fun to listen to (unless you've seen the musical), and definitely not deserving of any of the awards it received.
  
  

• Wicked (2003 Original Broadway Cast)
• Mamma Mia! The Musical Based on the Songs of ABBA: A Decca Broadway Original Cast Recording (1999 London Cast)
• Hairspray (Soundtrack to the Motion Picture)
• Avenue Q (2003 Original Broadway Cast)
• Hairspray (Full-Screen Edition)