Five Things to Know about the NBC Musical’s Star

Although Hairspray Live! never had a moment as flawless as Zac Efron frenching a photo of Nikki Blonksy in the 2007 movie version (nobody commits like Zefron), Hairspray Live’s cast of seasoned theatre professionals showed us how to fit the spectacle of the stage onto the small screen.

“I think what it does for our kids is makes them realize it’s possible”, Fetty said. “So I have to feel a difference between the north side of town and the south side of town, or else we have no story”.

But despite these flaws, Hairspray Live tapped into a rare kind of joy that’s hard to produce on television, let alone during a live broadcast – a kind of undeniable glee that happens when great songs, talented singers, and sparkling dancing collide. “I have to watch it On Demand the next morning in an airport or something”.

NBC just presented its latest musical production, “Hairspray Live!”.

Academy Award victor Jennifer Hudson showed up to work during Hairspray Live! and turned out two show-stopping performances. He’s an off-brand Zac Efron (who played the role in the 2007 film), a wooden actor who has zero chemistry with anyone else onscreen.

“She was always a very sensitive little girl, she liked to sing and dance and play, but nobody could look at her”, grandmother Nancy Carter said. Her “I Know Where I’ve Been”, the second act belt-y masterpiece about her fight in the civil rights movement and all the work she knows has yet to be done, brought everyone to tears. But the moment we all really paid attention was his insane jump-off-a-record-stand-into-a-split maneuver during “Run and Tell That”. Peter Pan Live! simply never flew.

NBCUniversal also used picture-in-picture during two commercial breaks, running spots from brands like Capital One, Verizon Wireless, Geico and Royal Caribbean while live, behind-the-scenes content featuring the Hairspray cast and crew played simultaneously in a smaller window.

Jerry Mitchell’s high-energy choreography was on optimum display in this number that took to the streets of Baltimore with a West Side Story vibe. Baillio delivers a likeable and captivating performance, shows off her musical chops, and proves she can play in the big leagues. Ariana Grande appears as Penny, Tracy’s friend who begins an interracial romance. “But I’m here to tell you/that I’m gonna keep on trying”.

The world does indeed already know Jennifer Hudson’s acting chops, but Leon insists that we “haven’t seen the best of Jennifer Hudson yet”.

But stars stress the arts provide solace in tumultuous times.”This election has shown us how diverse and separate we are”. “And a lot of times, if I may, that’s music”.

TV director Alex Rudzinski and stage director Kenny Leon teamed up well with the complex group numbers “Mama, I’m a Big Girl Now” and “Without Love”.

Fierstein is agitated: “This whole idea of this “attack on political correctness” really (ticks) me off”, he says.

The “Hairspray” producers have “certainly upped the ante”, said Hough. But Fierstein says it’s no gamble.

“I came out to the hall jokin’ around and this sweet lil’ soul was feeling emotional about this unbelievable journey ending”, the Dancing With the Stars pro captioned the video. You forget that she tried to audition and got rejected too.