'A Catered Affair' puts dignity back on menu Apr 18, 2008
Harvey Fierstein, who co-stars as Winston, Aggie's big-hearted brother, has fashioned a witty, wise, moving script ... Very fulfilling: Matt Cavenaugh, front, Leslie Kritzer, Lori Wilner, Harvey Fierstein, Philip Hoffman, Tom Wopat and Faith Prince share a meal and their memories. (USA Today -- Life)
8 musicals seek Tony nominations Apr 10, 2008
He teams with book writer (and co-star) Harvey Fierstein to adapt Paddy Chayefsky's 1950s teleplay and Gore Vidal's subsequent screenplay about a Bronx family's struggles to meet the financial burdens of a daughter's wedding. Early buzz centers on Faith Prince's perf as the embattled housewife. (Variety)
Kathie Lee Debuts Apr 8, 2008
She nearly cried when Harvey Fierstein ended the hour by singing a song for her. . (KWTX.com, TX)
'Chicago' gets an 'A'; how did other films fare? Mar 20, 2008
"Onstage, Harvey Fierstein was about as feminine as a truck driver. John Travolta was a cupcake. It was more conventional, but still enjoyable.". Final grade: B. (USA Today -- Life)
Life should be more like "Hairspray," opening at the Garde Mar 15, 2008
"Chicago comic Jerry O Boyle co-stars as Tracy s dynamic but eccentric mother, Edna Turnblad. That s the role made famous in the original film by Baltimore drag queen Divine, and on Broadway by Harvey Fierstein. More recently, John Travolta played Edna in the film version of the musical. ("Hairspray" has had an evolution similar to another popular Broadway musical, "The Producers," with an original film followed by a musical, followed by a musical remake of the movie.)"Hairspray" is an odd cap... (Westerly Sun, RI)
Hairspray tops at British theatre's Olivier Awards Mar 10, 2008
Stage star Michael Ball won the prize for best actor in a musical for his cross-dressing turn as Tracy's mother, Edna a role played by Harvey Fierstein on Broadway and John Travolta in last year's film adaptation. I was actually hoping for best actress, Ball said. (Globe and Mail)
Enquirer Slams Swayze Mar 7, 2008
Joseph Lieberman, Marlee Matlin, Richard Dreyfuss, Ronald Perelman, Howie Mandel, Gene Shalit, Harvey Fierstein, Judy Gold, Larry King, Donny Deutsch, Michael Kors and Charles Grodin. Then, a couple you must loathe because they re so successful are Charla Krupp and Richard Zoglin. (Fox News)
'The Times of Harvey Milk' Mar 3, 2008
Narrating the film is another Harvey - actor Harvey Fierstein. 6 p.m. Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston St. 617-536-5400. (Boston Globe)
They're Glad To Have Met John Doyle Mar 3, 2008
Now John Doyle's back, directing two productions at once: the Met's "Peter Grimes" and Harvey Fierstein's new musical, "A Catered Affair," previewing March 25 ... "From the first moment we met backstage at 'Sweeney Todd,' I felt like we'd known each other forever," Harvey Fierstein says. (New York Post -- Entertainment)
Stage veterans get a night in limelight Jan 30, 2008
The reminiscences weren't completely rosy: in inducting playwright-performer Harvey Fierstein, off-Broadway legend Ellen Stewart remembered when some playwrights said they would boycott her LaMaMa theater if she produced the work of the overtly gay young man, "but I did, and now he's here.". Emceeing with as much charm as height, and that's a lot, was Tommy Tune, himself a Hall member. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
The amazing Mr Musicals Jan 24, 2008
"And of course it wouldn't work for everything. I'm certainly not going to have Peter Grimes with a cello between his legs. I'm also shortly going to direct a new Harvey Fierstein musical that is naturalistic about a family living in the Bronx in 1953. It would be plain stupid to have the family playing tubas in that context. But there are shows - and I think that Merrily is one of them - when using actor-musicians allows you to tell stories in a different way. With a tiny space such as the... (Guardian Unlimited)
San Diego critics pick 'Catered Affair' Jan 23, 2008
The show, with a book by Harvey Fierstein based on the 1950s Paddy Chayefsky tale, also scored awards for lead actor (Tom Wopat) and actress (Faith Prince). Meanwhile, "Cry-Baby," which ran at the La Jolla Playhouse in the fall, picked up the honors for lyrics (David Javerbaum and Adam Schlesinger), choreography (Rob Ashford) and featured actress (Alli Mauzey). (Variety)
Theaters shone in year of transition Dec 27, 2007
"A Catered Affair," Harvey Fierstein and John Bucchino's '50s period musical, was launched in its world premiere at the Old Globe last fall. Subtle, heartbreaking, well-acted and beautifully scored, it was my favorite show of the year. (North County Times)
Welsh on theater Dec 24, 2007
A Catered Affair by Harvey Fierstein and John Bucchino, directed by John Doyle at the Old Globe, Sept. 30. 4. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
THEATER: Broadway: After the strikes, making sure the shows go on Dec 1, 2007
Wendt, who played the barfly Norm on "Cheers," is appearing, in drag, as the fashion-challenged character once played by Harvey Fierstein. At "Wicked," the crew had to put water in the bubble-making contraption that carries the actress Annaleigh Ashford across the stage before her opening line, which took on multiple meanings: "It's good to see me, isn't it?". (International Herald Tribune)
Can 'Catered Affair' – small, intimate – thrive in N.Y.? Nov 12, 2007
Craig Schwartz Uncle Winston (Harvey Fierstein) embraces his sister Aggie (Faith Prince) and her taciturn husband Tom (Tom Wopat) in the Old Globe's "A Catered Affair.". The intimate chamber musical, written by Harvey Fierstein from a Paddy Chayefsky teleplay, scored by cabaret composer John Bucchino and impeccably directed by John Doyle, leaves in its wake a big question: Can such an emotionally authentic and musically subtle show find an audience on Broadway. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Continuing coverage of Southwest Airlines Nov 8, 2007
The Airline Biz blog of (free registration) says that Kelly joins "luminaries such as John Travolta, Divine and Harvey Fierstein in that transgender role" of Edna. Kelly "has been a pirate, a lawman and a rock star in the past," Airline Biz adds, in addition to posting. (USA Today -- Money)
Necessity is the mother of play's reinvention Nov 5, 2007
He's at the helm of a new musical, A Catered Affair (with full orchestra), written by and starring Harvey Fierstein, which is Broadway bound. And he's directing Peter Grimes at New York's Metropolitan Opera in March. (Globe and Mail -- Entertainment)
O'Brien joins the ranks at Theater Hall of Fame Oct 29, 2007
O'Brien joins such other luminaries in the Class of 2007 as the beloved actor Lois Smith and writer-performer Harvey Fierstein, star of O'Brien's Hairspray musical. (Fierstein wrote and appears in A Catered Affair, at the Globe through Nov. 11). (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Fierstein Fires Back Oct 5, 2007
But feisty Harvey Fierstein is having none of that. On his blog and in e-mails to several influential friends on Broadway, Fierstein has lashed out at Charles McNulty of the Los Angeles Times for panning the actor's new musical, "A Catered Affair.". (New York Post -- Entertainment)
Broadway-bound 'Affair' a tender, touching treat Oct 3, 2007
Photo by Craig Schwartz From left, Leslie Kritzer, Matt Cavenaugh, Lori Wilner, Harvey Fierstein, Tom Wopat and Philip Hoffman in The Old Globe's world-premiere production of "A Catered Affair.". Book: Harvey Fierstein (based on Paddy Chayefsky teleplay and Gore Vidal screenplay); Music and lyrics: John Bucchino ... Cast: Faith Prince, Tom Wopat, Katie Klaus, Heather MacRae, Kristine Zbornik, Lori Wilner, Harvey Fierstein, Leslie Kritzer, Matt Cavenaugh, Philip Hoffman. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Getting ready for Hairspray Oct 1, 2007
airspray, written by John Waters, began as a 1988 movie starring Ricki Lake and Harvey Fierstein. Marissa Jaret Winokur rose to fame in the original Broadway cast. (Lumberton The Robesonian, NC)
Kermit the Frog on TCM Sep 29, 2007
"TCM s GUEST PROGRAMMER series, which regularly airs one night each month, is taking over the entire month of November, with 29 famous talents programming 29 nights that they will co-host with TCM s Robert Osborne. Celebrities exchange their star status for a role as a devoted fan of classic film by picking a selection of his or her favorite movies and sharing with viewers what he or she has come to love about each one. "Among the star-studded list of celebrities sitting down with Osborne to... (Suite101.com)
30 Years At Rhino Sep 23, 2007
" The Rhino was also beginning to get some national attention. It had attracted a growing local audience with such shows as Doric Wilson's "West Street Gang," moving from one location to another before settling in its 16th Street home. As much as it built on the popularity of recognizable names like Lanford Wilson, Harvey Fierstein and Robert Patrick, the Rhino had always been dedicated to presenting new works, many by local gay writers such as Robert Chesley, C.D. Arnold, Philip Real and Dan... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
Actors up next on Broadway stage Sep 20, 2007
Leslie Kritzer"A Catered Affair"Debbie Reynolds played the spunky daughter in the 1956 movie; Kritzer leaves her friend-of-Elle Woods role in "Legally Blonde" to star in the Broadway tuner by Harvey Fierstein and John Bucchino. "It is primarily the role for an actress as opposed to a singer-dancer," says director John Doyle. (Variety)
The Harvey 'Affair' Sep 17, 2007
LAURA EMBRY / Union-Tribune Harvey Fierstein's in town for "A Catered Affair," his Broadway-bound musical with a pedigree: Fierstein, director John Doyle, actors Tom Wopat and Faith Prince have all won Tony awards ... Harvey Fierstein greets San Diego and the Old Globe with hearty thanks for inviting me over to your basement ... Mother Jacqueline didn't approve of all of her boys' choices, but, said Harvey Fierstein, who named a character in La Cage for her, artistically my mother never got in... (San Diego Union-Tribune)
More than a woman Sep 14, 2007
The smoky-voiced Harvey Fierstein, the actor who played the role on Broadway, has done some movies. But he's not exactly an obvious candidate for leading-man classification. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Pricey `Frankenstein,' `Mermaid,' Stoppard Lead Broadway Season Sep 10, 2007
Tunesmith's John Bucchino, 54, has his first Broadway musical in ``A Catered Affair,'' with Harvey Fierstein; ``In the Heights,'' last year's spunky off Broadway attraction that features hip-hop and salsa, reopens on Broadway; and the Roundabout imports a London revival of ``Sunday in the Park With George,'' by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine. Any number of new musicals and plays are also circling, waiting for a theater to become available. (Bloomberg)
Beat goes on for 'Hairspray' in Maine Sep 8, 2007
Although it's no easy feat to step into the high heels first worn by Harvey Fierstein on Broadway, Landry, with his rubbery face and wonderful sense of timing, acquits himself well. But even though Landry may have a reputation for scene-stealing, he doesn't have a chance opposite Eddie Mekka, best known as Carmine on TV's "Laverne & Shirley." Mekka, who plays Tracy's dad, Wilbur, is a wonderful surprise, with a terrific singing voice, amazing energy, and acrobatic skill that is jaw-dropping. (Boston Globe)
'Catered' a small affair Sep 8, 2007
With a book by Harvey Fierstein and music by tuner newcomer John Bucchino, "A Catered Affair" is based on a 1955 teleplay by Paddy Chayefsky that was adapted into a 1956 feature starring Bette Davis and Debbie Reynolds. The story centers on the Hurley clan, a family of limited means forced to choose between investing their life savings in a family biz or spending it on their daughter's nuptials. (Variety)
The summer's a-dyin' and we sure ain't lyin' Sep 8, 2007
Having seen the original cult-classic Waters version and the Broadway adaptation with Harvey Fierstein as Edna Turnblad, the bar was far too high. All of my expectations were exceeded. (Yale Herald, CT)
William Compton Jr.; used his own struggle to help others Sep 7, 2007
Twice, his brother, Jeffrey went to the morgue, fearing he would find the body of the man who produced a play starring Harvey Fierstein at the Hasty Pudding Theatre in 1975 and started Boston's first charge-by-phone ticket business. Then a miracle occurred. (Boston Globe)
Multichannel Newswire Aug 30, 2007
Among the star-studded list of celebrities sitting down with Osborne to present their favorite films will be Whoopi Goldberg on Nov. 1; Donald Trump on Nov. 3; Danny DeVito on Nov. 10; Matt Groening on Nov. 14; Tracy Ullman on Nov. 17; Alec Baldwin on Nov. 20; Kermit the Frog on Nov. 21; Harvey Fierstein on Nov. 26 and Martha Stewart on Nov. 30. Maya Angelou Keynotes WICT Poet Maya Angelou and Xerox chairman and CEO Anne Mulcahy will deliver bookend keynote speeches at the WICT Leadership... (Multichannel News)
Celebs Take Over TCM in November Aug 29, 2007
Among the star-studded list of celebrities sitting down with Osborne to present their favorite films will be Whoopi Goldberg on Nov. 1; Donald Trump on Nov. 3; Danny DeVito on Nov. 10; Matt Groening on Nov. 14; Tracy Ullman on Nov. 17; Alec Baldwin on Nov. 20; Kermit the Frog on Nov. 21; Harvey Fierstein on Nov. 26 and Martha Stewart on Nov. 30. In addition to the 29 celebrities participating in the November festivall, one viewer, Paul Aguirre, was also chosen as part of the 30-day line-up to... (Multichannel News)
Witty script elevates fantasy 'Stardust' Aug 11, 2007
Harvey Fierstein would deem it over the top. Prancing around the ship in pink feathered boas and painting his signature cheek mole into a heart symbol, De Niro's presence is like a giant wink at the audience. (Sun-Sentinel.com)
Driving Mrs. Edna Aug 10, 2007
ALL-GUYS CLUB: Michael McKean, Bruce Vilanch, Harvey Fierstein, Paul Vogt and John Travolta ... Harvey Fierstein made the role his own. (Variety)
Waters' world comes full circle Aug 10, 2007
2000May Rob Marshall helms one-act reading with Harvey Fierstein and Marissa Jaret Winokur. New Line brass attend. (Variety)
John Waters Stays True To His Roots Jul 23, 2007
It won a slew of Tony Awards in 2003, with Divine's part played by Harvey Fierstein, an actor also known for drag roles. In this new movie version, John Travolta plays Edna. (CBS News)
Hairspray **½ Jul 22, 2007
And now I'll tell you: The plum and plump part of Tracy's mom Edna, played by Divine in the original and Harvey Fierstein on stage, falls to John Travolta. Well, it doesn't so much fall as plummet, given the severe gravitational pull. (Globe and Mail -- Entertainment)
SCRIPPS HOWARD NEWS SERVICE CONSOLIDATED BUDGET Jul 21, 2007
EDNAS-FILM (Eberson, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) -- John Travolta follows in the high heels of two notable Ednas, the lovable Turnblad matriarch of "Hairspray": the late Harris Glen Milstead -- better known as Divine -- and Broadway darling Harvey Fierstein. Why guys. (Scripps Howard News Wire)
Review: 'Hairspray' Doesn't Hold Up Jul 21, 2007
As inhabited by Divine in the original film and Harvey Fierstein on Broadway, the part is intended to be portrayed with high camp. With Travolta, though, there's no sense of fun. (Click2Houston, TX)
Hairspray an irrepressible charmer Jul 20, 2007
Originally played by the late Divine, Nikkis even chubbier mother, Edna, became a cross-dressing breakthrough for Harvey Fierstein on Broadway and it may do something similar for Travolta. Marsden is a revelation as Corny Collins, the progressive star of the dance show; hes like Dick Clark on speed. (MSNBC -- International)
'Hairspray' will get you smiling, dancing Jul 20, 2007
He's no Divine (who immortalized the role in the movie) nor Harvey Fierstein (who won a Tony for his portrayal in the musical), but he is convincing as Edna, Tracy's mom. His singing, however, is rather off-putting: He raises his voice to sound vaguely feminine in speech, but sings in far deeper tones, creating a disconcerting effect. (USA Today -- Life)
'Hairspray' review Jul 20, 2007
When the leonine (and openly gay) Harvey Fierstein charged into the drag matriarch role on Broadway, the civil rights slant deepened in resonance. Even more than Divine, Fierstein put the emphasis toward the transformation of a stay-at-home mom who learns to own her girth and celebrate her individualism. (Newsday -- Entertainment)
Travolta's Latest Comeback Jul 20, 2007
Travolta, walking in the pumps of Divine in the earlier film and Harvey Fierstein on Broadway, plays Edna Turnblad, the beyond-zaftig Baltimore mom of a '60s teenage girl who dreams of appearing on a local TV dance show. (Walken is Edna's incorrigibly besotted husband. (Time.com)
Travolta Happy To Be Groped On Movie Set Jul 19, 2007
Harvey Fierstein and crew takes the stage at the Luxor. Photo Essay. (CBS News)
No drag at all, 'Hairspray' rocks the house Jul 19, 2007
Carrying on the tradition of the late Divine and, then Harvey Fierstein, it's John Travolta's turn to play the role in drag. As the large, kind and ever-concerned Edna, Travolta dons a fat suit (or two) and returns to movie musicals for this much talked-about appearance as a kindhearted mom who is both graceful in dance and hungry for doughnuts. (North County Times)
Movie Review: Hairspray Jul 19, 2007
In August 2002, the film was reborn as a Broadway musical starring Harvey Fierstein, where it would go on to sweep the Tony Awards and where it is still playing at the Neil Simon Theater, after 2048 performances ... I saw original Broadway star Harvey Fierstein not just chew the scenery, he devoured and gorged on it. (Pegasus News)
NW: Is it misogynistic for men to play women? Jul 17, 2007
To be precise, her character in "Hairspray" has always been played by a man: drag queen Divine in the original John Waters film, gruff-voiced Harvey Fierstein in the Broadway musical and, starting this week, John Travolta in the movie musical. Just as Peter Pan is almost always played by a woman, it's impossible to imagine a "Hairspray" in which Edna isn't hiding a stubble under her pancake makeup. (MSNBC -- Movies)
John Travoltagets in touchwith hisfeminine side Jul 16, 2007
And he got his wish: His Edna, unlike the greasy Gorgon created by Divine in the 1988 John Waters original or the Kabuki hausfrau rendered so memorably by Harvey Fierstein in the 2002 Broadway musical adaptation, has cleavage and a waist and a kind of geologic sex appeal. So you'd think he must have known, and not cared, that complimenting a writer's color coordination might seem not just friendly but also really gay. (Taipei Times)
John Travolta m Jul 15, 2007
The movie was musicalized for Broadway in 2002, with Harvey Fierstein as Edna and Marissa Winokur as Tracy. In the latest incarnation of Hairspray, Long Island newcomer Nikki Blonsky takes on the role of a 60s-era teenager who longs to sing and dance on Baltimore s Corny Collins Show. (Wilkes Barre Times-Leader)
A GUY'S GIRL Jul 15, 2007
Tottering around in a frumpy fatsuit, his pinched lips cooing a quirky Baltimore accent, the 53-year-old reprises the part of Edna Turnblad, played by the gay icon Divine in the original film and Harvey Fierstein on Broadway, and he clearly delights in the part. "That role made me think that I'd be shameless as a woman!" he says, laughing. (New York Post -- Entertainment)
Newsday.com composite Jul 15, 2007
" Big ain't the problem for the Great Neck teenager who plays Tracy Turnblad in the new "Hairspray" movie, either. Nikki Blonsky grew up plump in the body-conscious village, where she battled her own "Ambers" - svelte and snippy classmates she likens to the nasty dance queen of the now-familiar "Hairspray" plot. "I went through all the teasing Tracy goes through, but it never knocked me down because at the end of the day, I came home to the people who thought I was beautiful," Blonsky, 18, said... (Newsday -- Entertainment)
Here comes Hairspray! Jul 14, 2007
Listen closely and you can hear the inimitable foghorn voice of Harvey Fierstein - Broadway's original Edna - singing a line under the final credits. Everyone asks me how John Travolta is as the latest Edna. (The Palm Beach Post)
'Hairspray' team adjusts music for film Jul 10, 2007
Naturally, there are differences between the stage and screen versions of "Hairspray." For starters, a cross-dressing John Travolta stars as Edna Turnblad, a role immortalized onstage by Harvey Fierstein. The film also happens to be an hour shorter than the Broadway version. (Variety)
John Travolta Interview, HairSpray Jul 9, 2007
This new version of "Hairspray is not without at least two traditions of the franchises legacy: the role of Tracy Turnblad has always been played by an unknown talent and the role of Edna Turnblad has always been played by a male actor. First it was Ricki Lake and Divine, then Marissa Winokur and Harvey Fierstein, and now, Nikki Blonsky is Tracy and is Edna. "Come to Mama. With arms wide open, those were the first words actor John Travolta said to his latest leading lady, 18-year-old... (MoviesOnline)
Wopat joins 'Affair' cast Jun 27, 2007
Tom Wopat has joined the cast of Harvey Fierstein and John Bucchino's upcoming Broadway musical, "A Catered Affair," which will have a tryout run at San Diego's Old Globe in September, before opening in New York next spring. Last seen on Broadway in 2005 in David Mamet's "Glengarry Glen Ross," Wopat's musical roles include the revivals of "42nd Street" and "Annie Get Your Gun," which earned him a 1999 Tony nomination for best actor. (Variety)
Michael Ball to star in 'Hairspray' Jun 16, 2007
Brit thesp, seen on Broadway in "Aspects of Love" and "The Woman in White," will step into the matronly role for which Harvey Fierstein won a 2003 Tony in the original Rialto incarnation. John Travolta plays the part -- the mother of a zaftig teenybopper -- in the upcoming movie version of the tuner. (Variety)
BACKSTAGE TIDBITS FROM TONY AWARDS Jun 11, 2007
Harvey Fierstein shouting to someone who wanted a photo: "Yes, I used to be Harvey Fierstein before I reduced my breasts." Brian Dennehy, following whoever was escorting him wherever: "I'm an actor for hire, so what'll I do after 'Inherit the Wind'? Beats the - - - - out of me." Bebe Neuwirth discussing shoes: "I never do flip-flops.". And what do stars wear when they're not on camera. (New York Post -- Gossip)
Today in History June 6 Jun 6, 2007
Playwright-actor Harvey Fierstein is 53. Comedian Sandra Bernhard is 52. (MSNBC -- Race)
Today in History Jun 6, 2007
Secondary Navigation. By The Associated Press Wed Jun 6, 12:01 AM ET. (Yahoo News)
Kritzer lines up 'Affair' Jun 4, 2007
Leslie Kritzer has been cast in the Broadway-bound tuner "A Catered Affair," Harvey Fierstein and John Bucchino's new adaptation of Paddy Chayefsky's 1955 tale. Currently appearing in "Legally Blonde," rising thesp Kritzer has gained attention in tuners including "The Great American Trailer Park Musical," as well as for her Joe's Pub act "Leslie Kritzer Is Patti LuPone at Les Mouches.". (Variety)
REVIEW: Travolta Is 'Divine' in 'HAIRSPRAY' Film... Jun 2, 2007
Into this mix comes John Travolta, looking a little like Barney the dinosaur (except not purple) as Edna Turnblad, previously played on Broadway by Harvey Fierstein and in the movie by Divine, Waters late transvestite of choice. Who can forget Divine in Pink Flamingos. (The Drudge Report)
Taking his turn at Turnblad May 29, 2007
The experience of playing Edna in drag: This grand tradition, started by Divine, was continued by the iconic Harvey Fierstein in the original Broadway production and will be a major gimmick in the new movie starring Travolta. O'Boyle, a longtime Broadway actor, says he's played several other characters in drag during his career, including the Mother Superior in "Nunsense Amen." When he heard that Fierstein was originating the role of Edna in the musical version of "Hairspray," O'Boyle says he... (Fresno Bee -- Lifestyle)
What Makes a Movie Musical Sing? May 18, 2007
What Makes a Modern Movie Musical Sing. " Think Oprah's Live Your Best Life tour, with a beat and bigger hair. 3) CAMERAS ARE PRETTY FANCY TOOLS. USE 'EM The 2005 movie version of The Producers looked almost exactly like the hugely successful Broadway show. Which was exactly the problem. Timid Matthew Broderick and loutish Nathan Lane are funny from $100 theater seats, but from $9 movie seats, they're assaultive. Audiences want more subtlety and more cinematic images, like the press conference... (Time.com)
