Did John Waters become mainstream or did the mainstream catch up with John Waters? If we look to Hairspray for the answers - I'd have to answer: A little bit of both.
With music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman and a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, Hairspray the Broadway Musical is based on the 1988 John Waters film Hairspray.
Set in gritty downtown Baltimore during the final days of the more innocent early 1960s, Hairspray tells the story of an overweight Baltimore teen, Tracy Turnblad (Erin McCracken). All of Tracy's dreams will come true if she has the chance to dance on the local, daytime version of American Bandstand; The Corny Collins Show. When her dream comes true, Tracy blossoms from misfit to minor star. Tracy uses her newfound fame to bring attention to the injustice of segregation and discrimination in general. Along the way, she vanquishes the reining "Miss Teenage Baltimore", integrates a television station and lands the local teen heartthrob, Link Larkin (Zach Trimmer).
The musical is full of catchy, hum-able songs with lots of rousing all-cast numbers that are great fun. The musical style is reminiscent of early Rhythm and Blues vibe with an upbeat vibe. The sets are bright and shiny and big, the music, under the direction of Fredrick Willard is divine.
Under Russell Garrett's direction, the cast gives generally good, solid performances, with some of the supporting cast ramping it up and giving just-shy-of-Broadway caliber performances.
Erin McCracken turns in a fine performance, while never quite capturing the wide-eyed enthusiasm that make the character of Tracy so compelling. Tom Gleadow plays a toned-down, quite straight-laced Edna Turnblad in a role originated on film by Divine, and with Harvey Fierstein originating the role on Broadway. While enjoyable, it doesn't feel like Gleadow is playing the role for all its worth. These performances leave plenty of room for the supporting cast to shine.
Zach Trimmer does a great job as Link, the local teen sensation who wants to be the next Elvis, but is more likely to be the next Pat Boone knock-off.
Jay Leland Krottinger is beautifully cast as the slick television host Corny Collins. Sean McGuirk is delightful in the small role of Wilbur Turnblad. Alexa Shanahan is practically perfect as Penny Pingleton and has great chemistry with Stacey Geer who is terrific as Penny's mother Prudy, one of a handful of roles that Ms. Geer plays in the production.
Rebecca Gibel does a fine job in the role of Velma Von Tussle. (I would have loved to see what Theatre By The Sea's Artistic Director Amiee Turner would bring to the role.)
Yvette Monique Clark is marvelous as Motormouth Maybelle.
Antonio Tillman is a 2011 summer acting intern at Theatre By The Sea and nails - really nails - the role of Seaweed. With the acting, singing, and dancing chops Mr. Tillman displays, I was stunned to learn that he is an intern. Mark my words: Not for long.
There is really nothing not to like about Theatre By The Sea's rousing, feel-good production of Hairspray The Broadway Musical.
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Hairspray The Broadway Musical plays at Theatre By The Sea through August 13, 2011. Tickets range from $39 - $54, and can be purchased at the Box Office, which is located at 364 Cards Pond Road, Matunuck RI, by phone at (401) 782-8587 or online at www.theatrebythesea.com. Rush tickets are available on a limited basis one hour prior to curtain.
