1. 鈥淭he Nicest Kids in Town鈥�/鈥漎ou Can鈥檛 Stop the Beat鈥�
Jerry Mitchell choreographed the original 2002 Broadway production鈥攁nd earned a Tony nomination for it. He brought the fierceness out in the first number on WZZT鈥檚 set that introduced audiences to The Corny Collins Show. And we were overjoyed to see much of the original choreography of 鈥淵ou Can鈥檛 Stop the Beat.鈥� The numbers also hit the spot visually鈥攅ven on a sound stage. The space that can often feel cacophonous or faux on a live broadcast functioned best during these scenes with the live audience.
2. Extra Dance Breaks
Where there is dancing, there is happiness. One of the great things about casting Derek Hough is that Corny Collins isn鈥檛 just a singing host, he鈥檚 a Grade-A dancer. His moves in 鈥淟adies鈥� Choice鈥� made that number from the 2007 movie musical explode with energy. We were on board. Another welcome addition: the cool jazz dance break added to Ephraim Sykes鈥� solo as Seaweed, 鈥淩un and Tell That.鈥� Any reason to is a good reason.
3. JHUD
It makes you want to just ask, 鈥淲hat the actual heck?鈥� How does she do that? Jennifer Hudson showed us how it鈥檚 done when she filled the entire backlot with her sass and sound in 鈥淏ig, Blonde and Beautiful,鈥� but then she left us speechless with her unparalleled rendition of 鈥淚 Know Where I鈥檝e Been.鈥� Thank goodness a commercial break came right after鈥攕o we had time to rewind and re-watch and relive.
4. The Costumes
Emmy-nominated costume designer Mary E. Vogt provided the vibrance that Hairspray needs. The colors popped off the screen, the fabrics shimmered and shone. From Edna and Tracy鈥檚 incredible dresses by Mr. Pinky (Can we bring that psychedelic print back?) to Motormouth鈥檚 gold bell-sleeved Lycra jumpsuit, from Corny鈥檚 glittering blazers to The Dynamites鈥� sequined dresses, the costumes added the va va voom to the broadcast.
5. Standout performances
It was incredibly special to watch Harvey Fierstein reprise his Tony-winning role as Edna Turnblad. The man is a genius of comedic timing and line readings. His partner-in-crime, Martin Short as Wilbur, was an inspired choice. Short played perfectly eccentric, and he surprised with his singing in 鈥�(You鈥檙e) Timeless to Me.鈥� Kristin Chenoweth nailed Velma Von Tussle, bringing out all the weapons in her arsenal: comedic timing, operatic prowess and strong belt, and that X-Factor. Dove Cameron was delightfully snide as mean girl Amber. Last but not least, Maddie Baillio earned her spot as Tracy (hello option up on 鈥淎nd 鈥檛ill DEATH do us part鈥� in 鈥淚 Can Hear the Bells鈥�). She charmed as the girl with a big heart and big dreams.
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