You Can't Stop the Beat!

Hairspray

Saw it on: January 11th, 2008


Where: Neil Simon Theatre, Broadway

Understudies: Daniel Robinson (Corny Collins), Nicole Powell (a Dynamite Girl)

First off, a disclaimer: if you have seen the 2007 Hairspray movie from New Line Cinema, it does not do the Broadway production justice. Nothing beats seeing a show live, and seeing Hairspray was definitely a fun, energetic and amazing experience. Hairspray tells a story of Baltimore in the 1960's at the heart of the Civil Rights movement, the plotline filled with stories of integration, love and the discovery that "You can't stop the beat".





Shannon Durig starred as Tracy Turnblad, the energy-filled, determined dancer. Durig was very entertaining and great for the role, her voice fitting the character perfectly. Tracy's love interest, teen heartthrob Link Larkin, was played by Ashley Parker Angel (yes, from the band O-Town). His performance definitely surprised me- I didn't expect much and found him funny, sweet and very in-character. The Von Tussles, Velma (Michelle Pawk, Mayzie in the Original Broadway Cast of Seussical) and her daughter Amber (Ashley Spencer, a finalist in the show Grease: You're the One That I Want) were lovably evil as they plotted against Tracy and her ideas of integration for the Corny Collins dance show (a la American Bandstand). Velma, the racist station manager for the show and former "Miss Baltimore Crabs," is determined to do anything for her daughter to win the Miss Teenage Hairspray Contest. Amber starts the show fighting another battle- keeping her perfect boyfriend, Link, away from Tracy. Seaweed Stubbs, an African-American dancer who befriends Tracy, was played by Tevin Cambell, who has amazing vocals and dance skills. Playing Penny, Tracy's quirky best friend and Seaweed's unlikely love interest, was Niki Scalera, a hilarious actress and powerhouse singer.





Other prominent cast members include Daniel Robinson (an understudy, playing Corny Collins), Darlene Love (Motormouth Maybelle), Susan Mosher (Prudy Pingleton, Penny's controlling mother, among other small roles), and George Wendt (of Cheers fame, playing Edna Turnblad).





Hairspray is filled with energy, fun, hilarity, and rousing musical numbers. The dances are impeccable, the vocals are amazingly harmonized, and each individual character shows off a different personality. Messages of acceptance, following a dream, love conquering all and equality flow through the show and although those messages are deep, the show itself presents them in a fun, exciting way.





Memorable musical numbers include: "Good Morning Baltimore," the opening number, "Mama, I'm a Big Girl Now," a hilarious account of rebellious teenagers and their mothers, "Welcome to the 60's," Edna's venture into the heart of Baltimore and a new lifestyle, "Without Love," a ballad sung by Tracy and Link and Seaweed and Penny (the integrated couple that overcomes the racist views trying to pull them apart), and, of course, "You Can't Stop the Beat," the crowd-pleasing finale that spreads energy to the entire house.





Overall, Hairspray is a fun, lighthearted experience that at the same time covers the serious issue of racism and integration. The cast was phenomenal, every musical number brings down the house, and it is impossible not to leave the theatre singing and dancing.