The Man Behind the Dress

Location

CSU 204

Start Date

21-4-2008 10:00 AM

End Date

21-4-2008 12:00 PM

Student's Major

Communication Studies

Student's College

Arts and Humanities

Mentor's Name

Leah White

Mentor's Department

Communication Studies

Mentor's College

Arts and Humanities

Description

The Character, Edna Turnblad in "Hairspray" has always been known to be played by a man. In the original Hairspray movie directed by John Watters the role was played by drag performer Divine. In the Broadway adaptations the role kept the tradition of having a male perform the role. In the most recent movie, John Travolta was cast into the role, but his performance lacks the subversive confusions define & explain more offered in previous portrayals. For example, the role was previously taken on by openly gay actors and known for their performances in drag. However, a comfortably popular John Travolta has been cast into a tamed down role of Edna Turnblad, and chooses to portray a more feminine character, which entrenches and normalizes gender notions. This presentation uses Judith Butler's work exploring gender performances, and her theories in her 1990 book Gender Trouble. The presentation uses Butler as a framework utilizing textual analysis and rhetorical criticism to explain how John Travolta's performance lacks subversive confusion and violates the original intended parodic function of the Edna Turnblad character.

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Apr 21st, 10:00 AM Apr 21st, 12:00 PM

The Man Behind the Dress

CSU 204

The Character, Edna Turnblad in "Hairspray" has always been known to be played by a man. In the original Hairspray movie directed by John Watters the role was played by drag performer Divine. In the Broadway adaptations the role kept the tradition of having a male perform the role. In the most recent movie, John Travolta was cast into the role, but his performance lacks the subversive confusions define & explain more offered in previous portrayals. For example, the role was previously taken on by openly gay actors and known for their performances in drag. However, a comfortably popular John Travolta has been cast into a tamed down role of Edna Turnblad, and chooses to portray a more feminine character, which entrenches and normalizes gender notions. This presentation uses Judith Butler's work exploring gender performances, and her theories in her 1990 book Gender Trouble. The presentation uses Butler as a framework utilizing textual analysis and rhetorical criticism to explain how John Travolta's performance lacks subversive confusion and violates the original intended parodic function of the Edna Turnblad character.

Recommended Citation

Sorenson, Zeke. "The Man Behind the Dress." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 21, 2008.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2008/oral-session-05/6