Why does a man play Edna in Hairspray?

The reason the character of Edna is always played by a man is because the characters don’t think she is a man. It’s a secret the audience shares but the characters do not. It seems that Waters didn’t want to answer the question directly because he didn’t want it to be a question at all.

Who plays Edna Turnblad?

Harvey Fierstein Hairspray Live! Edna Turnblad / Voiced by Edna Turnblad is a character from the following four media: Hairspray (1988 film), played by Divine. Hairspray (musical), played on Broadway by Harvey Fierstein. Hairspray (2007 film), played by John Travolta.

Who has played Edna in Hairspray West End?

Cast

ROLE ORIGINAL PERFORMER REVIVAL PERFORMER
Edna Turnblad Michael Ball Michael Ball
Penny Pingleton Elinor Collett Mari McGinlay
Seaweed J. Stubbs Adrian Hansel Ashley Samuels
Motormouth Maybelle Johnnie Fiori Marisha Wallace

Who plays Tracy mom in Hairspray?

John Travolta as Edna Turnblad, Tracy’s mother and a laundry business owner, who is agoraphobic and ashamed of her obesity.

How old was Zac Efron Hairspray?

In between filming the HSM movies, he booked roles on two other films, most notably the musical comedy Hairspray. At just 21 years old, he landed a place on the Forbes Celebrity 100 list, which measures stars by fame and money.

Is Hairspray based on a true story?

Hairspray is based on the 1988 film of the same name, directed by John Waters. Waters based the main storyline and The Corny Collins Show on the real-life The Buddy Deane Show and racial events surrounding it.

Is Edna always played by a man?

Edna Turnblad isn’t a drag-queen part, the director wrote in the publication. It has become a tradition for men to play her, as with Peter Pan, where it is always played by a woman.

Why does Penny always have a lollipop?

Trivia (68) Amanda Bynes’ character, Penny, is seen constantly eating lollipops. Bynes’ father, who is a dentist, became very worried for her dental health, as it was estimated she ate about 40 lollipops a day. She told him that she wasn’t really eating all of them, when in reality she ate them all.

How much weight did John Travolta put on for Hairspray?

I would get gropes and feels and of course I was a little slutty about how I handled it. You know, I kind of didn’t care. Travolta donned a 30-pound fat suit and five hours of makeup daily for the role.

Who is currently in Hairspray?

Hairspray London cast 2021 Georgia Anderson plays Amber von Tussle, Kimani Arthur plays Little Inez and Dermot Canavan plays Wilbur at certain performances. Mari McGinlay plays Penny Pingleton, Ashley Samuels plays Seaweed J Stubbs and Michael Vinsen plays Corny Collins.

What is a walking cover?

A Walking Cover is a name for a performer who does not appear on stage during a typical evening’s performance but waits backstage ready to go on for a specific role. They are often utilized for particularly demanding roles such as Eva Peron, The Phantom, Elphaba, etc., in addition to First and Second Covers.

What is the real reason Tracy’s mom doesn’t want her to audition?

Edna is nervous about letting Tracy audition for the show. Explain her reasoning. She doesn’t want Tracy to be made fun of for her size.

What is holding spray?

Flexible hold hairspray is a lightweight styling spray that keeps flyaways in place, reduces frizz and gives your styles long-lasting hold and beautiful shine. Unlike standard strong-hold hairsprays that freeze a style in place, flexible hold hairspray creates a soft, natural finish.

Who plays Tracy’s best friend in Hairspray?

Amanda Bynes Amanda Bynes starred as Penny Pingleton, Tracy’s best friend. The two friends would run home every day after school to watch The Corny Collins Show.

Who has played Link Larkin?

Garrett Clayton

Link Larkin
Relationships: Amber Von Tussle (ex-girlfriend) Tracy Turnblad (girlfriend)
Appearances: Hairspray (1988 film) Hairspray (2007 film) Hairspray Live (2016)
Portrayed by: Michael St.Gerard (1988) Zac Efron (2007) Garrett Clayton (2016)

How old was Vanessa Hudgens during HSM 3?

She’s played by Vanessa Hudgens, who turned 18 while filming the movie. Hudgens was still of high school age while filming the movie, but a year or two older than her character would be as a junior.

How old was Vanessa Hudgens during high school musical 2?

She’s played by Vanessa Hudgens, who turned 18 while filming the movie. Hudgens was still of high school age while filming the movie, but a year or two older than her character would be as a junior.

Why is Hairspray set in Baltimore?

Still, Baltimore was far from being free of racial tensions. … In 1962, the same year that Hairspray takes place, the Maryland Court of Appeals ruled that a group of high school and college students were rightfully arrested and convicted for staging a sit-in at the segregated Hooper’s Restaurant in downtown Baltimore.

Is the Corny Collins Show real?

According to Playbill.com, The Corny Collins Show is fictional. But, the program was reportedly based on a real Baltimore dance program, and Corny Collins himself was based on the show’s real host. … Buddy Deane’s dance show was one of many during the 1960s.

Was Cher in Hairspray?

Gerard, and Ruth Brown. … Hairspray (1988 film)

Hairspray
Written by John Waters
Produced by John Waters Robert Shaye Rachel Talalay
Starring Sonny Bono Ruth Brown Divine Debbie Harry Ricki Lake Jerry Stiller Ric Ocasek Pia Zadora
Cinematography David Insley

How did John Travolta end up in Hairspray?

John Travolta was cast as Edna Turnblad, the main character’s mother, in the 2007 remake of Hairspray because the role has always been played by a man in drag, starting with the original 1988 film, in which the role was played by famed drag queen Divine.

What’s Hairspray about?

Set in 1962 Baltimore, Maryland, the production follows teenage Tracy Turnblad’s dream is to dance on The Corny Collins Show, a local TV dance program based on the real-life Buddy Deane Show.

Did John Travolta gain weight for his role in Michael?

That’s no stunt belly, says the one-time Saturday Night Fever disco deity, laughing. I’d like to say I put the weight on for the part, but unfortunately, that’s not the case. I only lose weight for parts.

How did John Travolta lose his son?

Nobody knows when they are going to go or when they are going to stay. Travolta and Preston mourned the death of their eldest son Jett who died on Jan. 2, 2009, at age 16, after having a seizure while the family was on vacation in the Bahamas.

Why is John Travolta fat?

John Travolta To play overweight housewife Edna Turnblad a role originated by drag queen Divine in John Waters’ 1988 Hairspray film Travolta was remodelled using prosthetic make-up and a fat suit in a process which took four hours a day.