Howard: Will see the show tomorrow, I'll report back.

Tom: I don't think you can exchange seats. They're sold on a no refund, no exchange basis.

I tried to get tickets with the code mentioned above, but it keeps sayig invalid promotion #. Please help!

Marybeth, two possible reasons for that message:
1. The offer might have expired.
2. The tickets available with that promotion might be all gone. (That happened to us once.)
Unfortunately, I don't have a copy of the offer any more to check the number.

Marybeth: Try code JHDM2, I just used it yesterday. Not good for Saturday Evenings, and only good for preformances through 9/22. Tickets must be ordered by 7/26. Good Luck.

Howard: We saw Hairspray last night and I think it will have a long run. Very enjoyable evening with great costumes and dancing, good score and scenery. A real feel good show, much like Mama Mia, but better in my opinion. Should appeal to a wide audience, those looking for 1960's kitch and those who actually remember the 60's.

My criticisms include the fact that the scenes seem like individual scenes and not a cohesive show, but this may be fine tuned in previews. Also the segregation theme seems a little heavy handed for such a light show.

All in all a very enjoyable show, the audience loved it, but I think the critics will give it a mixed review. Should have a long run.

Let me know what you think of it when you see it next week.

Thanks, Frank. It's not often that I have the luxury of a private reviewing service! I'll post my reaction next week.

In a word, great! My wife and I really enjoyed it. In fact, we enjoyed it as much as The Producers! A real happy, fun show with an incredibly talented cast. You've got to love Harvey Fierstein, and Marissa Jaret Winokur is a real find in the central role of Tracy.
From the moment the orchestra struck up the first note, the audience was cheering. And, at the end, the entire audience rose up as one for a spontaneous standing ovation.
The segregation/integration issue didn't bother us. As a faithful adaption of the movie, it had be included and was handled with great humor.
Get seats now, because once it opens on August 15, it'll really be a tough ticket.

Howard: Glad to hear you enjoyed the show as much as you did, seems likely to be a big hit, much in the same vein as the Producers. It's great to see that kind of show on half price tickets. I guess in this case it paid to jump on the bandwagon early.

Frank, I'm sure you'll agree that it'll be quite a while before the next time that there will be discount tickets available for Hairspray!