Do
you hear the sirens? Do you feel the fever in the air? Do you see the hot
flames of glory burning a hole through your computer screen?
That’s
because we’re at a Code Five Diva Alert, people. This is NOT A DRILL. Please
savor Keala Settle’s bearded woman realness in the trailer for the upcoming movie musical “The Greatest Showman”.
Ladies
and gentlemen, this attitude is giving me everything. Let’s break down why:
(1)
Based on what we’re seeing here, Settle is playing a bearded lady chosen by
P.T. Barnum (who’s played by Hugh Jackman!) to be part of his traveling show.
She doesn’t believe in herself, but Barnum believes in her. So he puts
her on stage where she can wow the world.
Get
ready to feel your feelings, because that means “The Greatest Showman” is at
least partially about a lady who discovers her power. Effie asserts herself in
“Dreamgirls”; Tracy dances Baltimore down in “Hairspray”; and now
Keala’s character is in the center ring.
(2)
And yes, I did just use Keala’s first name like I actually know her. That’s
another reason this moment is filling me with hope for the future. Because I
have seen Keala Settle absolutely own Broadway shows like “Waitress”, “Les Miserables”, and “Hands on a Hardbody”. She is great on stage because she
always seems so human and approachable, but she also has this singing voice
that can actually melt steel. (It’s been tested. Ask around.) So this movie musical
will let the rest of the world understand what Broadway people have known for
ages. Namely, that Keala is the bomb.
Plus,
the songs in this movie are written by Pasek & Paul, who wrote “Dear Evan
Hansen” and the songs for “La La Land,” so you just know her big number will be
amazing.
(3)
Finally, aren’t you getting a taste of Dolly Levi from the bearded lady’s
clothes and attitude? If “The Greatest Showman” is creating that kind of
ladyboss for us to love, then you’d better believe I have this year’s Halloween
costume picked out already.
