Lindsay Nicole Steinberg as Tracy Turnblad and company. Photo by Heather Regan Photography.
With music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Whitman, and a book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan “Hairspray, the Broadway Musical” won eight Tony Awards in 2002. It was based on John Waters’ film, later adapted into the hit Broadway musical. The original Broadway show starred Harvey Fierstein as Edna Turnblad, Tracy’s plus-sized mama. The 2007 film adaptation starred John Travolta in the same role. In the many versions seen over the years, I can’t remember any that didn’t feature a male actor cross-dressing as Edna. Michael Barret Jones is the latest to tackle her wit and humor, plus her ample bosom.
The pacing is smart and tight, and the scene changes are enhanced with fresh choreography…an unforgettable experience.
From the moment Tracy Turnblad (a smiling Lindsay Nicole Steinberg) sings the cheerful lyrics of “Good Morning Baltimore,” it was obvious this show would be an unforgettable experience. “Hairspray, the Broadway Musical,” presented by Prince William Little Theatre, is currently being performed at the Hylton Performing Arts Center on the George Mason University campus.
Before curtain, Director Mel McCleerey greeted the audience with a broad smile and gracious appreciation for Saturday’s sold-out performance and for the rave reviews on opening night. Then she announced that the actor playing the role of Corny Collins had laryngitis and would be replaced by her husband, Tim McCleerey, an audience favorite who is listed in the program as a “Sound Designer.”
Corny Collins welcomed the audience to Baltimore (via Manassas, VA) and to the heart of Charm City’s Hampden neighborhood where John Waters’ Valentine to the city he loves unfolds. The year is 1962 and it is here where we first meet Tracy with her big heart, big dreams, and a huge black bouffant wig that remains in place throughout her vigorous dancing— a feat to be celebrated! What she wants most is to dance on the Corny Collins TV show, hopefully, with her dreamboat crush, Link Larkin (JJ Calves who shows off his dancing skills. He does everything from the Frug, the Madison, a jitterbug, and a soft shoe that elicits “sighs” throughout the theater. She succeeds and becomes the catalyst for change.
While “Hairspray” reminds us of the Buddy Dean TV show that aired in Baltimore, I remember watching American Bandstand from our home just across the Delaware River from Philadelphia. Both programs featured White teen dancers grooving to music by Black artists. For me, it was sneaking out to listen to rhythm and blues on the Georgie Woods, “the Man with the Goods” radio show from Philly.
Woods was a consultant to Dick Clark, advising him which records were popular in the African American community. He went on to play the talents of emerging artists like The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, and Michael Jackson over the radio. In the 1960s, he was coined the term, “blue-eyed soul,” to describe soul music that was sung by White artists, rather than Black artists.
In “Hairspray,” the Black kids are excluded from dancing on the Corny Collins show, except on “Negro Day.” It was held once a month, organized by Velma Von Tussle (Katie Weigl) who shouts racial slurs on national television. This is a tough role to play and I applaud this actor.
So, it’s up to our gal, Tracy, to change the dynamics and organize a protest, which, of course, lands her in jail. There she sings the Reprise of “Good Morning Baltimore” and, by now, the entire audience is singing along. Edna’s husband, Wilbur (Philip Krzywicki), posts bail for all but Tracy who must remain in confinement. Meanwhile, the TV Council kids, Black students from detention, and always-ready-to-jump-in-Edna are planning another protest, this time at the annual “Miss Teenage Hairspray” pageant. Jones as Edna is fantastic in her high heels and hefty thighs, especially in the Fred and Ginger soft shoe routine with her husband Wilbur at her side. Together they sing and dance to “(You’re) Timeless to Me,” a lovely reminder that size doesn’t matter when it comes to love.
Motormouth Maybelle (Lauren Baker) plays the iconic role of a civil rights activist. She’s terrific in moving the story forward, especially in “Big, Blonde, and Beautiful,” backed up by the sensational female trio, the DYNA-MITES and most of the 30 plus-member cast.
There are tender moments, too. “It Takes Two,” an adorable duet between Seaweed (Justin Harmon) and his “checkerboard” girlfriend, Penny Singleton (scene-stealer Jessica Mabry). There’s a discussion of racial tensions between Motormouth Maybelle and Corny Collins towards the show’s conclusion where these little moments of caring shows their connection. This adds to the story, making it more than just a feel-good show with terrific musical numbers.
The pacing is smart and tight, and the scene changes are enhanced with fresh choreography by Philip Smith-Cobbs. I loved the wide range of styles, including tap dancing, time steps. Kudos, too, to Musical Director Nancy Huddleston, working on her first PWLT show. The bells added joy to the score.
Other standouts include the Corny Collins Council Members in “The Nicest Kids In Town.” Amber Von Tussle (Chelsea Williamson) delivers a nasty turn towards Tracy in her solo “Cooties.” Tracy follows-up with a dynamic anthem, “You Can’t Stop The Beat“ that had the audience dancing in the seats.
Running Time: Two Hours with one 15-minute intermission.
“Hairspray, The Broadway Musical” runs July 18 at 8 p.m, July 19, at 2 and 7 p.m., July 20 at 2 p.m. at the Gregory Family Theater in the Hylton Performing Art Center, 10960 George Mason Circle
Manassas, VA 20110. For more information and the purchase tickets, please call the ticket office at 703-993-7759 (Tues. – Sat. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) or go online. Note that there are no reserved seats, so add an extra half hour if you are coming from Baltimore, DC, and other parts north.
