Friday, July 20, 2007

Happy Campy

According to Hilton Als in the New Yorker, the new production of “Xanadu” is a hoot. In additional campy theater news, “Hairspray” is currently getting an amazing 94% positive rating at Rotten Tomatoes, made even more amazing by the fact that the “Cream of the Crop” reviews (those that appear in national or major market publications) are 100% positive.

Critical love doesn’t always sway the masses so I still fear that this flick may underperform at the box office (plus, everyone is going to be shut-in this weekend reading Harry Potter, right?) But this outpouring of raves (even Daniel Neman liked it, I think!) has had an impact on my apathy. I may have to sneak out and see it sometime over the next week or two…

2 comments:

Thespis' Little Helper said...

I originally thought I might christen this a "Guilty Admission," but why be ashamed; I think I might call it a "Not-So-Guilty Admission". I went to see Hairspray this afternoon.

I saw the tour of Hairspray a couple of years ago in Detroit and to this day have not had more fun in the theatre. It's an incredibly well-written musical. It's got tons of fun, touching, issues, camp, musical theatre references galore...yeah...it's good stuff.

I was worried that the movie wouldn't compare...and...it...well. I enjoyed it quite a lot. Zack Effron (even though I'm not a huge fan of his work in High School Musical...or really much of anything of HSM) as Link really delivered as a standout and the cast...Elijah Kelly in particular...did a really fine job.

Per usual, there were a lot of things that I wish they had retained from the stage show, particularly the book. But it's worth seeing.

And most importantly, perhaps it will get more people to go to the theatre...ya know...the one of the live sorts.

So I recommend a viewing!

Anonymous said...

The film is WONDERFUL! Absolutely delightful - faithful to the original and the stage version, while adding enough new twists to make it fresh and hip. The audience I was with had a ball, and laughed constantly. You truly do have a smile on your face from start to finish. One of the best movie musicals in recent years.