Interesting article by Michael McKean (RNC, Bush 41)

[yankeedem]

http://www.broadway.com/template_1.asp?CI=41652&CT=3

"Someone in the PR food-chain decided the Bush visit called for a great big photo opportunity. The entire cast should stay in their finale wardrobe (mine's a big, red velvet cake of a thing, with an immense beehive to match) and pose for pictures with the visiting VIPs. A two-shot of Barb and Edna, matriarchal prows prominently featured, was also cooked up. The cast responded largely in the negative. There followed a flurry of phone calls from various producers: They worried that dissing the dignitaries was at odds with the show's message of inclusion. We countered that we had no problem with having the Bushes backstage; it's just that we didn't want anyone using the event to imply that the cast supported the current administration, the war, the Republicans or the elephants they rode in on.

We pondered, briefly, WWHD: What would Harvey do?

As Edna Turnblad, I followed in the T-Rexian footsteps of Harvey Fierstein. According to Keith, Harvey's and my dresser/factotum, the voracious Mr. F. eats politicians for brunch. It takes a certain amount or chutzpah to interrupt a compliment in order to rip the speaker a new credibility gap, but Harvey did so with Joe Leiberman (re same-sex marriage) and one or two others. Had Harvey still been playing Edna the whole question of the photo op would not have come up."


Keep reading, the last paragraph is the best IMO

[mark0rama]

1. A great read, thanks for posting!

I'm a big fan of Michael McKean (Spinal Tap alone is enough to guarantee him legend status) - but I've gotta admit, I'm glad I got to see Hairspray while Harvey was in the role.

[yankeedem]

2. Harvey was the definitive Edna

McKean is getting mediocre reviews, though. Jm J. Bullock and Peter Scolari are with the show now.

[MuseRider]

3. Cool.

I have always like McKean. Met him briefly in New Orleans when my son hassled him for a picture. Nice to read, thanks for posting.