Lance Bass Joins 'Hairspray' On Broadway

Lance Bass never made it to outer space, but he will travel back in time -- to 1962, when the musical "Hairspray" is set.
The one-time 'N Sync singer joins the cast of the Broadway tuner on Aug. 14 as TV show host Corny Collins, host of a popular "American Bandstand"-style program. The musical celebrates its five-year anniversary on Broadway the next night.
Bass' Broadway bow follows that of another 'N Sync performer, Joey Fatone, who previously appeared in "Rent" and "Little Shop of Horrors." Bass will remain with "Hairspray" through Jan. 6, 2008.
Bass and his boy band pals, including Justin Timberlake, sold thousands of albums in the 1990s. With his inclusion, the Broadway cast of "Hairspray" will include four chart-topping singers: '60s singer Darlene Love, R&B smoothie Tevin Campbell and one-time O-Town lead Ashley Parker Angel.
"X-Men" actor James Marsden plays Corny Collins in the new film version of "Hairspray," opening July 20 and starring Great Neck native Nikki Blonsky as Tracy Turnblad.
from Newsday

'Hairspray' Not A Gay Movie

John Travolta has denied 'Hairspray' is a "gay movie". The staunch Scientologist has enraged gay-rights campaigners by taking on the role of Edna Turnblad in the remake of the cult film - the role played by late drag queen Divine in the 1988 original.
Travolta said: "There is nothing gay in this movie. I'm not playing a gay man."
The 'Saturday Night Fever' star also denies Scientology is in any way homophobic, despite many reports of the religion's attempts to "cure" homosexuality.
He said: "Scientology is not homophobic in any way. In fact it's one of the more tolerant faiths. Anyone's accepted."
Travolta also spoke of his frustration regarding the delays to the movie remake of cult 80s TV show 'Dallas', in which he is to star as Texas tycoon J.R. Ewing.
The 53-year-old said: "They've paid me for 'Dallas,' so I'm contracted, but they have had five scripts, none of which has worked."
"There's another attempt being worked on, which I hope will be possible."
Jennifer Lopez allegedly quit the part of J.R.'s wife Sue-Ellen amid reports she did not get on with Travolta.
from All Headline News

Can 'Hairspray' ?

Some want to can new ‘Hairspray’
Some gay fans of the original “Hairspray” movie want to leave the remake in the can.
John Travolta is starring in an update of the 1988 camp classic which is due to come out next month, and some gay leaders are calling for a boycott of the film because Travolta’s religion has a tough stand on homosexuality.
“Travolta, a prominent Scientologist, has no business reprising an iconic gay role, given his [religion’s] stance on gay issues,” notes Kevin Naff, managing editor of the gay-oriented Washington Blade. “It’s well known that Scientology rejects gays and lesbians as members and even operates reparative therapy clinics to ‘cure’ homosexuality.”
Travolta plays mom Edna Turnblad in the flick — a role originally played by drag queen Divine. Laments Naff: “Divine is spinning in her grave.”
from MSNBC