[NEohioPAL]Berko review: 'HAIRSPRAY': Broadway Series

[Roy Berko]

TOURING COMPANY’S ‘HAIRSPRAY’ FUN, BUT....

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

Lorain County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News
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During the curtain call on opening of night of
‘HAIRSPRAY,’ at the State Theatre in Playhouse Square,
the audience was on its feet, clapping in harmony and
moving in time to the music.  They obviously had
enjoyed this touring production of the multi Tony
Award winning musical.  

Now, don’t get the idea that ‘HAIRSPRAY’ is a great
musical.  It’s not.  It will never be ranked with the
likes of ‘A CHORUS LINE,’ ‘WEST SIDE STORY,’ or
‘CAROUSEL.’    What it is, as reviewers of the
Broadway production stated, is “an audience pleaser,”
“bubble gum-flavored confection,” “tons of fun,” and
sweetly subversive.”   It’s more in the realm of ‘THE
PRODUCERS’ ‘FOOTLOOSE’ and ‘SEUSSICAL, THE MUSICAL.’ 

Based on the 1988 movie penned by John Walters, the
musical, like the film, takes place in segregated
Baltimore in the '50s.  Change is in the air and Tracy
Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger
heart, has only one passion--to dance on "The Corny
Collins Show."  Through a series of quirks she is
transformed from outsider to irrepressible teen
celebrity who might even get her second and third
wishes, winning the love of heart throb, Link Larkin,
and integrating the television show while not denting
her 'do’?

Walters grew up in Baltimore in the 50s. With his
weird counter-culture friends he started making films
that outraged the traditionalists and entranced
underground audiences.  By the early 70s he was
regularly making films like  ‘PINK FLAMINGOS,’ a
deliberate exercise in ultra-bad taste.  It was his
crossover film ‘HAIRSPRAY,’ which reflected Walters
playfulness and his life-long obsessions, including
integration and the need for social change, that
brought Walters to national prominence.

Songs from the show include, “Good Morning Baltimore,”
the delightful opening number, the pretty ballad
“Timeless to Me,” and the compelling “I Know Where
I’ve Been.”

The musical, which is appearing in Cleveland as part
of the Broadway Series, does not have the sparkle, the
life or the spirit of the original New York
production.  Missing most are Marissa Jaret Winokur as
Tracy Turnblad and Harvey Fierstein as her
irresistible stage mother (played in drag).  

Keala Settle’s Tracy is quite endearing.  She sings
and dances well, but doesn’t light up the stage like
Winokur.  J. P. Dougherty feigns being outrageous, a
quality that comes so easy for Fierstein, but
Dougherty can’t quite pull it off.  He is funny, but
the role requires being outrageous.   

Chandra Lee Schwartz is wonderful as the mousey Penny,
Tracy’s best friend.  Charlotte Crossley wails as
Motormouth Maybelle.  Alan Mingo, Jr., sings and
dances up a storm as Seaweed, Penny’s boyfriend. 
Serge Kushnier is quite adequate as Link, but lacks
that special 50s stud luster needed for the role. 
Stephen DeRosa is fine as Tracy’s eccentric father.

A major issue is the sound.  The orchestra is so loud
that it often drowns out the performers.  Since much
of the charm of the show is Scott Wittman and Marc
Shaiman’s clever lyrics,  some of the sheen is taken
off the production by this technical glitch.

Jerry Mitchell’s choreography is fun and perfectly
fits the 50s era.  The sets, the lighting, the special
effects all work well.

CAPSULE JUDGEMENT:  ‘HAIRSPRAY’ is a fun show.  The
Broadway series production will be enjoyed by the
audience, though it is not of the same quality as the
original show.

Tickets to, ‘HAIRSPRAY,’ which runs through June 26, 
can be obtained by calling 216 241-6000, 800-766-6048
or going on line to www.playhousesquare.com. 


Roy Berko's web page can be found at www.royberko.info.  His theatre and dance reviews appear on NeOHIOpal, an on-line source.   To subscribe to this free service via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.fredsternfeld.com/mailman/listinfo/neohiopal.


		
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