Billy Dawson as “Corny Collins” in Hairspray. (Photo: Jeremy Daniel.)
Hairspray, the Musical
Paramount Theatre April 4 – 9, 2023
Get tickets and more info here
Hairspray is the hit movie-turned stage musical-turned-movie musical that has charmed the world. The John Waters film starring the late Divine, was a classic on its own, never mind the smash musical stage adaptation that followed. The musical is currently playing at the Paramount Theatre – for a short, limited run – and should not be missed. It’s pure escapism.
The musical tells the story of Tracy Turnblad, an overweight teen with a big heart to match. She, like every other teenager in Baltimore, 1962 wants to dance to the new music that is sweeping a nation, except Tracy is from the wrong side of the tracks. Tracy auditions for the Corny Collins Show, the local (and segregated) version of American Bandstand, and is chosen for the incredible dexterity she shows, despite the size of her shape. This makes an enemy of Amber – the show’s most popular girl – who thinks of herself as the Queen of Teenage Society and the Princess of the Corny Collins Show. The fact that her mother owns the radio station, doesn’t help Tracy’s cause. Tracy and her friend Penny are romantically singled out by two boys; Tracy by Link – the show’s most popular boy (and boyfriend of Amber), and Penny by Seaweed, a boy of color, who is forced to dance in the segregated section at the station, or on “Negro Day”. What starts out as a show of unity for her friends of color, turns out to be a political protest of racial tension for Tracy. Tracy takes it onto herself to support her friends and take on the city’s rich snobs and bigots! All the while, keeping time to the music and showing the latest, greatest dance moves!
The entire cast is fun to watch. There were several times that it seemed the supporting cast put forth more energy and emotion than a majority of the featured roles. Good on The Ensemble for that. If the understudies, of these featured roles, were in The Ensemble – they should be worried. The three women playing the Motownesque group, the Dynamites (Sydney Archibald, Melanie Puente Ervin, and Jade Turner) are a delight to hear as they perfectly harmonize together – as a girl group should. They performed very well.
Tracy’s best friend Penny is played by Emery Henderson. Her role of comic relief is heightened almost to the point of cartoon. She blends well in the song, “Mama, I’m a Big Girl Now”, but doesn’t stand out as her own. Seaweed is played by Charlie Bryant III. Mr. Bryant has the moves needed for this role, and he brings them to his performance on stage. His voice shines when singing “Run and Tell That”. Link is played by Nick Cortazzo. Mr. Cortazzo moves well, and his voice works well with the romantic “It Takes Too”. Motormouth Maybelle is played by Lauren Johnson. Ms. Johnson does a good job but it seems that she is holding back. As the colored host of “Negro Day”, she needs to show more sass and verve and while she may possess it, she didn’t show it much. Her voice is good when she sings the ‘large weight anthem’, “Big Blonde and Beautiful”, but the number builds without hitting the ceiling. Her 11 O’clock number, “I Know Where I’ve Been”, is sung more in the style of a “Show Tune” than the intended “sorrowful ballad” of the show.
“You Can’t Stop The Beat” – (center) Niki Metcalf as “Tracy Turnblad” and Company in Hairspray. (Photo: Jeremy Daniel.)
Wilbur Turnblad is played by Ralph Prentice Daniel. Congrats to Mr. Daniel for making this role much more his own, instead of allowing it to become background – as many have done before him. Mr. Daniel’s stage presence adds to every seen he is in, no matter how brief. His comedic talents show, and he holds his own when partnered with a big personality. When he and Edna sing and dance to “Timeless to Me”, the audience feels their love. It may be schtick, but who cares; it was fun to watch, and if it was ham they were serving, then no one in the audience kept Kosher, because they ate it up! Edna Turnblad was played by Andrew Levitt. (Mr. Levitt is recognized as RuPaul Drag Race alumni, ‘Nina West’ (Season Nine). No stranger to drag, Mr. Levitt is perfectly comfortable in the role. His stage presence is fun to watch and his large personality is delightful to see in the role. When sharing the stage, Mr. Levitt is doing exactly that; he is sharing his space, not dominating or demanding attention. He doesn’t have to, it comes naturally.
It is without doubt that Tracy Turnblad, played by Niki Metcalf is the star of this show. From the opening number “Good Morning Baltimore” to the highlight “You Can’t Stop The Beat”, Ms. Metcalf is a pure delight. Her dancing is up to snuff. Her energy is high and her stage presence is real. Her voice is enthusiastic, if not infectious as she sings directly into the heart of the audience.
Hairspray is a classic and it is easy to see why. This musical is pure entertainment. Yes, there is a message in the story, but it is presented in a way that the audience absorbs, instead of having it beaten over their head. The story, the music, the lyrics, the dancing, the pure energy itself is like a treat from your local cupcake bakery; it is fluff and easy to enjoy.
Hairspray, the Musical opened on Broadway August 15, 2002 (after getting it’s out of town workshop in Seattle!) and ran for over seven years – 2642 performances. Based on the 1988 John Waters’ comedy (staring Divine, Mink Stole, and Ricki Lake), the musical stared Harvey Fierstein as Edna Turnblad, Marissa Jaret Winokur as Tracy, and Matthew Morrison and Link among a well-known cast. The musical was nominated for 13 Tony Awards in 2003, and won eight including Best Musical, Best Actor (Fiersetin) and Best Actress (Winokur). A movie musical was later adapted starring John Travolta, Queen Latifa, and Zac Efron.
Hairspray, the Musical
Paramount Theatre April 4 – 9, 2023
Get tickets and more info here
