Even Haylie Duff can't flatten 'Hairspray'

Haylie Duff in 'Hairspray'

By Matt Windman

August 31, 2006

Article tools

E-mail

Share
- Digg
- Del.icio.us
- Facebook
- Fark
- Google
- Newsvine
- Reddit
- Yahoo

The producers of "Hairspray" have developed a casting trend that makes a somewhat successful marriage of pop culture and musical theater: Place young television actors and singers in their shows, but only in small supporting roles. That way, younger audiences are successfully marketed, but the young starsshould they turn out to not be very goodcannot have a devastating artistic impact on the show. The seats remain filled, but theater purists are not offended and everyone goes home happy.

Lately, MTV and "American Idol" folk have been dominating the stage: Usher in "Chicago," Ashlee Simpson about to join "Chicago" in London, Josh Strickland in "Tarzan," Frenchie Davis in "Rent," Constantine Maroulis in "The Wedding Singer," Diana DeGarmo in "Hairspray" andnewest on the blockHaley Duff, also in "Hairspray." ("Wedding Singer" unsuccessfully attempted to recruit her sister Hilary.)

"Hairspray," now entering its fifth year, is the most easily likable long-running original musical on Broadway. ("Chicago" is Broadway's best long-running musical revival.) Though one may regret not seeing its Tony-winning original actors like Harvey Fierstein or Marissa Janet Winokur, "Hairspray" holds together very well, thanks to an excellent score by Shaiman and Whitman, Jerry Mitchell's athletic choreography and Jack O'Brien's smart direction. "Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me," also by Shaiman and Whitman, is not half as entertaining as "Hairspray."

Haylie Duff, who is well known among youths from her appearances on "Seventh Heaven" and "Lizzie McGuire," plays Amber Von Tussle, the perky, blonde nemesis of chunky protagonist Tracy Turnblad. Her character has no solo songs or big dramatic moments. Not only that, Duff has been removed from the teen ensemble's most intense moments of dance choreography. Frankly, all that Duff needs to do is be funny while reciting some very funny lines in her nasal voice. And at that, she is fine. No complaints!

Still, Duff's real accomplishment lies in making more people interested in seeing "Hairspray." It is no secret that for a Broadway musical to live on after its first year, it must fill its seats with tourists. "Hairspray" is likely to gain more popularity next year after its star-packed film premieres, which includes John Travolta, Christopher Walken and many others.

But regardless, even a critic can confess that placing teen "Idols" in long-running musicals can be economically effective and artistically safe, as long as they don't ruin the show. If you remember two years ago, Scary Spice managed to nearly ruin "Rent" and Christy Carlson Romano was disastrous in "Beauty and the Beast." Come back next Friday for our review of Usher in "Chicago."

Neil Simon Theatre, 250 W 52nd St, 212-307-4100, $20-$110. Tue 7pm, Wed 2 & 8pm, Thu-Fri 8pm, Sat 2 & 8pm, Sun 3pm. Open run.

Would you recommend this?

Rate it: