Grease was the
word… being bandied about by a few elbow-rubbing journalists after a special 16-minute
preview screening of footage from Hairspray
earlier this week. As in, “Didn’t that remind you of Grease?” and, “That’s going to connect with audiences unlike any
musical since Grease.”
irrational speculation based on the high-energy, song-and-dance clip-fest which
director Adam Shankman introduced as a sort of “Frankentrailer.” Gushing that
the movie was the best thing that had ever happened to him professionally, Shankman
very briefly attempted a Roberto Benigni impression — standing astride two screening
room chairs, on the armrests — before wisely returning to terra firma for the rest of his short introduction. Shankman
went on to effusively praise composer Marc Shaiman’s work on the score, and say that he hoped his adaptation of Thomas Meehan and Mark O’Donnell’s
musical stageplay adaptation of John Waters’ 1988 film could serve as an
antidote to what he views as “a summer of three-quels” and franchises.
1962
bandstand shimmying aplenty in the footage, to go alongside trademark, deliciously
zonked, zealously imploring line readings from Christopher Walken, as well as
some grade-A belting from Queen Latifah. Newcomer Nikki Blonsky (above right),
as pleasantly plump inveterate dreamer Tracy Turnblad, really made an
impression, even if it was John Travolta (above left), in heavy make-up as insistently
cautious matriarch Edna Turnblad, who had many folks in stitches. It seems like there’s also an anti-segregation march musical number, which has to be some sort of first.
yesterday may certainly present its own set of challenges, but the quality of
the merchandise at least looks up to snuff, which is great news. Distributed by
New Line, Hairspray is currently set
for a wide release on July 20. For more information, click here.