I played Penny Lou Pingleton at Irvington Town Hall Theater in 2011. Please leave good feedback/help. Comment bashing will be removed. I had some vocal trouble with this role, but I encourage everyone to do this show if given the chance.
Loved your performance. Penny is my favorite character. My one criticism, ,which really has nothing to do with your acting was your wig during You Can't Stop the Beat, it just didn't seem natural after you had been using your normal hair the whole time, and all the sudden it was bright red, but I guess that wasn't your fault. I though you were hilarious as Penny.
Actually none of the hair you see in the video is mine. And I agree, I never loved that red wig. It didn't fit the character I had made, nor did it "match" my pigtail wig. Oh well.
Congratulations on getting the BEST role ever! Seriously, you're going to have the best time. As for the high notes, I don't have much advice except to practice the songs with your vocal coach, as well as to attack them instead of being afraid. You can hear me struggling a little bit with the notes in this video. I just focused on the acting more. You gotta make the role your own.
buggyMCbugpants I'm auditioning for Penny for a school musical in a few weeks! Do you have any tips? How should i act to be more like Penny? This is my first time to actually have a chance performing in a musical and i'm quite shy when it comes to auditioning
Just go for it! I would say before auditioning, really work on her physicality and a character voice. I would say being pigeon-toed all the time (which is what I did) helped. Also the high pitched squeaky voice is always a good idea. I really committed to the character and I think that's why I got the part. No matter what, don't shy away and show them what you got. It was an amazing role. I hope that helped. Break a leg! :)
O M G. Out of the (at least) 5 performances of Hairspray that I've seen, you were the best Penny I've ever seen! My school is doing Hairspray next year, and I want to get the role of Penny SO BADLY. Your great acting has given me so much inspiration! Thank you very much. Overall, awesome job! :)
I have an audition soon and I'm trying for penny any pointers? I think you were the perfect penny and I like what you did with the character. If you can give me a few pointers that would be great. Thanks!!
We ROCKED that theatre as much as we sprayed our hair. AWESOME production of HAIRSPRAY. Check out more clips under User Name JohnCedric123. And, without necessity of saying it, Christina, aka Stina, took the role of Penny from earth out to the outer limits of the stratosphere. She was an ABSOLUTE asset beyond words to the production. Thrilled I had the chance to be the Edna on stage w/ her as Penny, Stina!!!
The words are indeed kind. BUT, the words are simply pure truth and artistic admiration. I do hope we have a chance to work together again sometime in the future. Lot's of love from YOUR Edna Turnblad. John
Hey!! That is awesome, you did very good!! I am going to audition for Penny Pingleton next month, and I was wondering if you can give me tips on how to portray Penny in Hairspray? :D
I am going to play the role of Penny in hairspray and you are very inspiring... for me acting will be the hardest part! I hope I'll make people laugh as you do!! :))
I really like you as Penny! I am going to audition soon and hope to get Penny also. I played Ursula in Bye bye Birdie, which is a little similar, I think. Can I ask what song you sang for your audition?
I can't remember what song I used because it was so long ago, and originally the director was looking at me for Amber. He thought I would be funnier here as Penny and I'm so happy he made that choice.
I really loved your version of Penny, your acting was hilarious! I’m auditioning for penny in a few weeks (though I doubt I’ll get it because I’m not the strongest dancer) and I have to sing part of a song from hairspray, what song would you suggest? I was thinking her verse and chorus of you can’t stop the beat?
Don't fret if you're not a good dancer. While I'm actually a good dancer in real life, the role doesn't require great dancing. Just "You Can't Stop the Beat!" So don't go in to the auditions with that outlook.
I just got a callback for Penny! I really want that role but I'm definitely afraid I won't get it :( I am just crossing my fingers and hoping I do the best at that callback!
I absolutely love how you changed it up at 4:50 with Run & Tell That. I’ve only ever seen Seaweed plant one on Penny and she falls over, but I actually laughed aloud at that scene.
Interesting. I saw the OBC do the show and don’t remember Penny and Seaweed sharing a kiss at this moment, but more importantly, my director didn’t ask for one, so we didn’t do one here. He told me that I had to react to Seaweed in my own way…..hence the skirt grabbing and freaking out! Lol
I just got cast as Penny in philadelphia! I'm 16 and super excited but I'm an alto and some of the notes I'm nervous arent going to sound good cause theyre a little high do you have any tips on opening up or anything to hit the highest notes? Also any tips on the character in general? Is the role really that big of a female roll did you enjoy it? You're awesome thank you so much! :)
Im playing penny in my school production ad i have the same script as you and you have given me some good characterisation tips and how to be in the role, thank you so much
You are such a great Penny! The one piece of criticism I could offer would be to go even farther with the character! You could have even been more awkward and dorky and expanded it! I'm playing Penny right now and you've given me some great ideas! Thank you and fabulous job! :)
Thank you, and enjoy playing the best role ever. I did this almost 3 years ago and I would go even further nowadays, so it's just one of those things where you learn from the role, think about how you could improve it, and hope you get to play it again.
