Hairspray (2002 Original Broadway Cast)
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Music Reviews of Hairspray (2002 Original Broadway Cast)
Music Review: You Can't Stop the Beat...and why would you want to?
Rating: 5 Stars
Thank you John Waters! Thank you Marissa Jaret Winokur! Thank you Harvey Fierstein! You have all made my work day exponentially better! The new Broadway Cast recording of HAIRSPRAY is absolutely thrilling. From the first moments of "Good Morning Baltimore" to the stunning chorus on "You Can't Stop the Beat," this CD is pure, %100 wit and artistry! As Tracy Turnblad, Marissa Jaret Winokur has an infectious vigor and darling voice. Harvey Fierstein's Edna is pure comic genius, and delightfully touching in his duet with Dick Latessa, "Timeless to Me." And the lyrics...
"You're my black white night."
"Those poor runner-ups might still hold some grudges.
They padded their cups, but I screwed the judges."
"And girls, I'll be right at your side if I can find some space."
...and many more!
Broadway's first hit of the season is not only musically progressive, but socially and emotionally touching! Buy HAIRSPRAY now, get rush delivery, you won't be able to "stop the beat" either!
Music Review: Okay
Rating: 3 Stars
I saw this musical on Broadway. I found the music to be fun and the '60s feel 'groovy' (although appreciating it would depend on whether you like '60s atmosphere or not). The casting was interesting, with the ugly voices and everything (although I think Marissa and Harvey played their roles well). Overall: a wonderful musical.
The weakness is in the fact that one needs to see the production itself to appreciate the recording. Since it's shrieky and shrill, those not used to "non-quality singing" and who haven't seen the show prior to buying the CD would hate it, which is why I'm not surprised that it's been getting such flak. Also, while it's a show that one would certainly enjoy watching -- it's pure entertainment -- that's exactly what it is: it is not your intensely moving musical that goes above mere entertainment. In this sense, I agree that it is overrated in terms of awards.
My advice: Buy the recording AFTER you've seen the show. (You'll enjoy it.)
Music Review: Broadway's Greatest Show Of All Time!! PERIOD!!!
Rating: 5 Stars
Getting to see the original cast of "Hairspray" on Broadway was one of the greatest singular thrills of my life. You just couldn't ask for a more phenomenal show. Every single aspect, and every single facet of each aspect is pitch-perfect. And this show has absolutely no trouble carrying over to cd. I get almost as big of a thrill listening to this cd, as I did when I saw it live. My favorite song from the show is "Welcome to the 60's" the singing is phenomenal. But every song has its purpose in the show. Almost every other musical has at least one or two numbers that are completely useless. Every song in "Hairspray" is wonderful. This is also one of the rare musicals that has a strong book and a strong libretto. So many other musicals have either a great story with flimsy songs, or a flimsy story on which to hang phenomenal show-stopping numbers. "Hairspray" is absolutely worth seeing, and owning, for it is undoubtedly Broadway's brightest star!Music Review: There is more to this show than cutesy pop tunes
Rating: 5 Stars
I don't usually write reviews but was urged to do so after reading one reviewer say "there wasn't much to the story". Quite the contrary!!! I have seen the movie more times than I can count and have seen the show twice. Yes, it looks and sounds quite innocent on the surface with its homage to 60's pop and the bright vibrant colors and "over the topness". It is easy to dismiss this show as "bubble-gum" entertainment with really nothing much to say. But look beyond the surface and you will see and hear a much deeper story. This story reflects the changing times of the era in the country's battle over civil rights of black americans. Listen to the words of some of these songs and you will hear the voice of the struggle of those times. A struggle that is still going on, not just for Black Americans but for every other minority in this country. So I quite disagree that "there is not much to the story". It has quite a powerful story to tell, one that should not be ignored.Music Review: Slickly Botched
Rating: 2 Stars
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.