The actress, who at 18 years old won the starring role of the plus-size optimist in Waters’ cult film and inspired a young Jaret Winokur – who starred in the 2002 Broadway show – to go for a career in Hollywood, donned a pink costume in the performance. Just when it seemed that the show would evaporate into a cloud of corny bubbles, the glorious Jennifer Hudson would arrive and produce the soulful gravity that the show needed. Newcomer Dove Cameron, who plays her daughter, Amber Von Tussle. “Hairspray” might not have the legs of “The Sound of Music”, but it’s a better-known property than, say, “The Wiz”, and therefore has a chance at surpassing “The Wiz Live!” in the ratings. Now she’s the star.
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At Clear Falls High School in League City, Texas, the Christmas choir season is busy. “I think it’s just what we, we’ve been saying all day, but they need it right now”, said Grande.
Still, this is her second time at winning big. “It gave me this insane career I’ve had for nearly 30 years”. Now it’s national TV, working live. NBC reported that Baillio is getting the opportunity to work with her idols.
“When I’m not in character I’m not thinking about it”, Maddie said in a recent interview. “So now I’m like, ‘Are you insane?”
Modern Family star Sarah Hyland also commented on Jennifer’s bra choice, writing: “I own a purple push up bra too #JHud Although I don’t think it has the same effect. It’s attractive because you know she never learned to hate or to judge or differentiate and I love that”.
Baillio was named the 2014 Youth Ambassador for Feinstein’s group, the Great American Songbook.
Director Kenny Leon told The Times, “It’s the kind of musical that our country needs right now”.
What happens when you take two powerhouse vocals and put them together for a live duet? Turning serious, the stage veteran said the demands of the TV musical, including learning to remain aware of multiple cameras, have proved a challenge.
In the live show, Grande, 23, plays Penny Pingleton, the nerdy best friend of Tracy Turnblad (played by Maddie Baillio).
This is clearly worth calling mom about.
The new girl is back in town!
Hairspray Live! was a positive vibe fest from the first bars of “Good Morning, Baltimore” to the epic finale featuring Ariana Grande in a pair of the most covetable go-go boots we’ve ever seen. Sets for the musical were designed by Broadway set designer Derek McLane. “She powered through her rendition of “(The Legend of) Miss Baltimore Crabs” and those final notes she hit were classic Chenoweth.
At least, this version could be. Rudzinski pulled off a similar feat with Fox’s “Grease”.
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He’ll be appearing that night in Denver in his one man show, “A John Waters Christmas”.
