Ashley's Performance in Hairspray

Brite Eyes · Veteran Member

Ashley's Performance in Hairspray

Eris · Guru

Jason and Kathleen were sitting two rows in front of me back in October. I got to chat with them a little since they had remembered me from our previous meeting. I haven't seen Chad or Ashley Anderson there though I did happen across Ashley A while walking down the street one evening and she was on her way to meet Ashley S. I don't recalling hearing about Ciarian (Ashley's husband) going. He just finished the Wedding Singer tour.

I've said before that I think the show ended the "right" way for everyone involved. Ashley's had a great opportunity with Hairspray that she wouldn't have had if she'd won. I'm sure there was less pressure making her Broadway debut in a secondary role as opposed to a lead. She's mostly likely better equiped to handle it than she was a year ago.

Wish I Knew It All · Senior Member

Eris wrote:

Jason and Kathleen were sitting two rows in front of me back in October. I got to chat with them a little since they had remembered me from our previous meeting. I haven't seen Chad or Ashley Anderson there though I did happen across Ashley A while walking down the street one evening and she was on her way to meet Ashley S. I don't recalling hearing about Ciarian (Ashley's husband) going. He just finished the Wedding Singer tour.

I've said before that I think the show ended the "right" way for everyone involved. Ashley's had a great opportunity with Hairspray that she wouldn't have had if she'd won. I'm sure there was less pressure making her Broadway debut in a secondary role as opposed to a lead. She's mostly likely better equiped to handle it than she was a year ago.

I have seen Ashley in Hairspray. She is truly wonderful if the role. I have read in many articles that Laura's stage time in Grease was very limited. I was wondering if Ashley's stage time in Hairspray was longer than Laura's stage time in Grease? Does anyone know?

Eris · Guru

In general the part of Sandy isn't very large is regards to stage time. I think Ashley may have had more to do with Amber but they're both kind of "static" roles.

pinkfan · Senior Member

static: acting by mere weight without motion (2) relating to bodies or forces at rest or in equilibrium (3) not moving, not active (4) of or relating to sttionary charges of electircity

Eris, which of the above definitions describes the character of Amber and Sandy? For sure it doesn't describe Amber. Amber is hilarious, the kids come out right after Goodmorning Baltimore like a shot out of a cannon. Dancing, dancing and more dancing, not exactly STATIC. I don't get your use of the word.

Brite Eyes · Veteran Member

Well Eris, you must not have seen the same Hairspray I saw. Amber is a great role, nothing static about it.

DogsandBirds · Guru

Brite Eyes wrote:

Well Eris, you must not have seen the same Hairspray I saw. Amber is a great role, nothing static about it.

I don't believe that Eris uses the term to mean fixed not meaning without movement. Sandy in the movie has a much larger part than in the musical. Sandy in the musical has limited stage time, although she is a central to the story line.

Eris · Guru

Theyre emotionally static. As a character theyre not going anywhere. Theres no real growth or depth there. Amber is a spoiled brat and she remains that way. No change. This has nothing to do with a personal performance of a character but the way it is written. A character goes on a journey and Ambers journey doesnt take her anywhere. The characters lack of motion is part of what makes her funny. But she still has a lack of motion.

Sandy has a tiny bit more depth but not by much. She does change but its simply giving into peer pressure. To me, and others, that is not true change. Dannys attempt to change seems more real because he is going against the group rather than moving into it as Sandy ultimately does. But he, ultimately, fails because he is unwilling to find real change. Its easier to follow the group than stand on your own. By taking the easy way out she shows a lack of emotional depth.

Its funny though. When I was in college dissecting characters was my least favorite part of my literature classes. Now I find myself doing it all the time.

Anyway, Id like to see Ashley tackle a role where the character has a true emotional journey and finds real change.

pinkfan · Senior Member

I can't see Ashley doing drama and most fun musicals don't have really deep characters.
Static or not, her reward is great.

sparkle · Veteran Member

Eris wrote:
In general the part of Sandy isn't very large is regards to stage time. I think Ashley may have had more to do with Amber but they're both kind of "static" roles.

What are you trying to say using the word static to describe the roles of Amber and Sandy? Sorry but I don't get what you are trying to say here.

Ray · Senior Member

I see Sandy differently. In the current, flimsy, nonsensical storyline, she initiates whatever action takes place, and there is some. She pines and pursues, intermittently, and finally, in the end, takes the bull by the horns and nails the guy she wants.

The actor playing Danny is largely dependent on having an irresistibly attractive female to motivate his course of action through the story. Helped greatly by their looks, Ashley and Derek will, I believe, know exactly how to make it work.

Wish I Knew It All · Senior Member

sparkle wrote:

Eris wrote:
In general the part of Sandy isn't very large is regards to stage time. I think Ashley may have had more to do with Amber but they're both kind of "static" roles.

What are you trying to say using the word static to describe the roles of Amber and Sandy? Sorry but I don't get what you are trying to say here.

I'm with you Sparkle! Can't figure out what the word static has to do with the roles of Amber and Sandy. And, what does it have to do with the original question? Wasn't the question about stage time for the two different roles?

pinkfan · Senior Member

Probably don't understand because I didn't take that theater class. Maybe I should have.

pinkfan · Senior Member

Ray wrote:
I see Sandy differently. In the current, flimsy, nonsensical storyline, she initiates whatever action takes place, and there is some. She pines and pursues, intermittently, and finally, in the end, takes the bull by the horns and nails the guy she wants.

The actor playing Danny is largely dependent on having an irresistibly attractive female to motivate his course of action through the story. Helped greatly by their looks, Ashley and Derek will, I believe, know exactly how to make it work.

I think you nailed it Ray.

Wish I Knew It All · Senior Member

pinkfan wrote:

Probably don't understand because I didn't take that theater class. Maybe I should have.

LOL Pinkfan! The only credentials you need are to be a fan of Broadway and have enough money to buy a ticket. That makes you an expert in my opinion - no classes needed.

Wish I Knew It All · Senior Member

pinkfan wrote:

Ray wrote:
I see Sandy differently. In the current, flimsy, nonsensical storyline, she initiates whatever action takes place, and there is some. She pines and pursues, intermittently, and finally, in the end, takes the bull by the horns and nails the guy she wants.

The actor playing Danny is largely dependent on having an irresistibly attractive female to motivate his course of action through the story. Helped greatly by their looks, Ashley and Derek will, I believe, know exactly how to make it work.

I think you nailed it Ray.

Me thinks you nailed it too Ray!

Kristen · Guru

Eris wrote:
\Anyway, Id like to see Ashley tackle a role where the character has a true emotional journey and finds real change.

I'm sure that she will be easily able to do this in the future! She'll have plenty of opportunities to play other characters, and I'm sure that she will play a variety of roles.

As far as song comparison between "Hairspray" and "Grease," will she have more songs playing Sandy than she did playing Amber? I think that she will. I think that there will be more solos such as" "Look At Me, I'm Sandra Dee," and of course, "Hopelessly Devoted to You." Then there are the group numbers like "We Go Together" and "Summer Nights." And of course there is the duet, "You're the One That I Want." As Amber, she did have "Nicest Kids In Town," "Cooties," "Mama, I'm a Big Girl Now," and "You Can't Stop the Beat." So, I do think that playing Sandy will give Ashley a chance to sing more! I'm getting more and more excited now to go and see her perform in "Grease!"

But I think they will have a hard time finding an Amber who is as great in the role as Ashley!

pinkfan · Senior Member

I bet Ashley would appreciate that Kristen.