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I know some people who have just flipped over the movie version of Mamma Mia! now plaguing movie theaters. I am not among them.

Having seen the stage version several times, I knew just what I was in for. I enjoyed the show on stage, especially the first time, when the show made its U.S. premiere [...]

Brooklynn Pulver (above center) is Tracy Turnblad in the touring production of Hairspray. Photo by Phil Martin
Last summer, it was yet another musical breathing new life into the revival of movie musicals.
This summer, it’s an actual, three-dimensional live musical happening before your very eyes.
Hairspray, one of the happiest musicals around, is returning to the Bay [...]

So many fine gift ideas, so little space. Let’s get started with some great theater books.
In the realm of books about theater, this year’s standout comes from San Mateo native Thomas Schumacher, who also happens to be the president of Disney Theatrical, the producer of such hits as The Lion King and Mary Poppins. Schumacher’s [...]

Road trip = show tunes!

Posted by Chad Jones on 05 Aug 07 - 2 Comments

Howdy, Theater Dogs.
I’ve been on vacation for the last week or so, but I’m back, eager to bring you interesting tidbits of theater news and reviews.
Took a roadtrip up the Oregon coast — took 101 from San Francisco to the beautiful little hamlet known as Rockaway Beach. Breathtakingly beautiful pretty much the entire way. I [...]

`Hairspray,’ a movie musical to love

Archived in the category: Broadway, Hairspray, backstage, movie musicals, movies
Posted by Chad Jones on 18 Jul 07 - 5 Comments

Summer has finally arrived, at least it has for me. Living in the cool-to-cold, foggy Bay Area, I seek my summer thrills in movie theates (sorry, but the thought of outdoor summer theater in the Bay Area fills me with dread — except for California Shakespeare Theater, whose skills transcend the cold).
I found summer in [...]

`Hairspray’ clips

Archived in the category: Hairspray, Zac Efron, backstage, movies, musicals
Posted by Chad Jones on 28 Jun 07 - 0 Comments

Excitement is mounting for the movie version of Hairspray, which opens July 20.
I know several people who have seen early screenings of the movie and they LOVE it, so push all thoughts of lousy Broadway-to-movie musicals aside (hit the skids Rent, back to the basement Phantom, off to summer stock Producers).
First up is a clip [...]

Travolta’s drag

Posted by Chad Jones on 08 Sep 06 - 11 Comments

The first glimpse of John Travolta as Edna Turnblad in the now-filming movie based on the hit Broadway musical Hairspray has been released, and it’s….well, see for yourself.
Yes, that’s Travolta on the left. And he’d probably want you to know he’s wearing a fat suit.

The young woman on the right is Nikki Blonsky, a 17-year-old [...]