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December 1, 2008 10:47:05 AM CST


Hairspray

Hairspray news stories

6 Stories

 Baltimore Ready for 
 Broadway Moment 

City takes advantage of native son's sleazy musicals

(Newser) - Known as a harbor city plagued by gang violence and urban decay, Baltimore is hoping for a Broadway-style makeover—courtesy of John Waters, native son and creator of Hairspray and Cry-Baby . His gleefully trashy films are the inspiration for two cleaned-up musicals now on Broadway, and Baltimore hopes their sparkle can boost local tourism, the New Yorker reports. More »

More about:  tourism Broadway Baltimore musical theater Hairspray John Waters Cry-Baby

Theater Review

 No Tears in Soulless Cry-Baby 

Latest Waters musical lacks heart

(Newser) - Cry-Baby, the latest broadway musical based on a John Waters movie, is tasteless—and not in the good way, writes Ben Brantley in the New York Times . It’s not offensive, it just has no flavor. Its 1950s bad-boy-meets-good-girl premise is tired, and James Snyder can’t match Johnny Depp’s portrayal of the Elvis-esque title character. “The performers all seem like good kids impersonating bad kids for kicks.” More »

More about:  Broadway reviews musical musical theater Hairspray John Waters Cry-Baby

Atonement Gets 7 Globe Nods

Charlie Wilson's War follows with 5

(Newser) - The WWII-era romance Atonement leads today's Golden Globe nominations with seven, including best drama, best actor, and best actress. Also among the seven drama contenders—there are typically five—are There Will Be Blood , No Country for Old Men , The Great Debaters , American Gangster , Michael Clayton, and Eastern Promises . No Country filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen were also nominated for directing and for their screenplay. More »

'Superbad' Still Has Soul at Box Office

Out-laughs the competition for second week; highest-grossing debut is 'Mr. Bean'

(Newser) - Movie fans are filling the last week before school starts by going to the flicks their friends liked: “Superbad,” “The Bourne Ultimatum” and “Rush Hour 3” kept drawing them in with the top 3 spots this week. Rowan Atkinson's “Mr. Bean's Holiday” took surprise swipes at other newcomers like the Jet Li vehicle “War” and “The Nanny Diaries” starring Scarlett Johansson. More »

New Line: Lord of the Rings or Last Action Hero?

Studio fires marketing chief, struggles to project identity

(Newser) - The movie business' sepia-haired stepchild New Line Cinema fired its chief marketing officer this week—signaling that execs are blistering for fundamental change. After 40 years, New Line has lost its cutting-edge credibility to the Indies, and is ranked dead last in box-office revenue among the majors, the LA Times reports. More »

More about:  movie film box office Time Warner New Line Cinema Hairspray Lord of the Rings

'Hairspray' Sets Critics on Fire

High-camp movie version charms even the skeptical

(Newser) - With its cheerfully loony evocation of the 60s, "Hairspray" has scored big with reviewers. "The movie's style and exuberance torpedoed my misgivings within seconds," says the LATimes . The movie-turned-musical-turned-movie is also being praised for its star turns, by a fatsuited John Travolta and plump newcomer Nikki Blonsky.  More »

More about:  movie movie review Hairspray

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