Wicked and Hairspray Celebrated on Nov. 21
“Theater Talk”
By Andrew Gans
November 20, 2003
Two of Broadway’s hit musicals, Wicked and Hairspray, will be featured on the Nov. 21 edition of “Theater Talk,” the PBS talk show that offers interviews with top theatre celebrities and writers.Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel — who co-star in the new Stephen Schwartz musical Wicked — will discuss their roles in the production at the Gershwin Theatre. Chenoweth portrays Glinda and Menzel is Elphaba in the musical, which features a book by Winnie Holzman and direction by Joe Mantello.
Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, the Tony-winning composers of Hairspray, will share their thoughts about many theatre-related topics, including their Tony kiss, the late Peter Allen, Fred Ebb’s opinion of Hairspray and the short-lived Bobbi Boland. Shaiman will also perform his song “Fat As I Am.”
The 30-minute program will feature video clips from Wicked as well as glimpses of the national tour of Hairspray, which stars Bruce Vilanch as Edna Turnblad.
Hosted by New York Post theatre columnist Michael Riedel and producer Susan Haskins, “Theatre Talk” airs late Friday nights at midnight on WNET/Thirteen.
