[NEohioPAL] "If there were local Tony Awards, CVLT's 'Hairspray' would surely be a winner. " - CV Times

[Chagrin Valley Little Theatre]

  Chagrin Valley Little Theatre


    HAIRSPRAY

Book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan
Music by Mark Shaiman and Lyrics by Scott Wittman

Directed by Pamela LaForce
Musical Direction by Keith Stiver
Choreography by Jen Justice

*July 20 - August 18, 2012
Friday & Saturday nights at 8 PM
Sundays July 29 & August 5 and 12 at 2 PM*

*TICKETS: *$18 regular, $14 students and seniors

*Details & Tickets online at 
http://www.cvlt.org/82ndSeason/hairspray.php 
<http://www.cvlt.org/82ndSeason/hairspray.php?utm_source=NEOPAL&utm_medium=email> 

Visit the CVLT Box Office or call 440-247-8955
Chagrin Valley Little Theatre - 40 River Street, Chagrin Falls 
<http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Chagrin+Valley+Little+Theatre>*

*CVLT's 'Hairspray' simply a perfect 'do*

BY HERB HAMMER
The Chagrin Valley Times

 From the very moment "Hairspray" begins and a magnificent Lindsay 
Simon, as Tracy Turnblad, belts out the corny opening number "Good 
Morning Baltimore," you know you're in for a good time.

There is much to talk about regarding this musical, adapted from the 
1988 John Waters film. It's best though to say that Chagrin Valley 
Little Theatre is staging a whale of a good show.

With 1960s-style dance numbers, Marc Shaiman's music is incredibly 
entertaining when attached to Scott Witman's lyrics and Mark O'Donnell 
and Thomas Meehan's book.

Those who remember Dick Clark's "American Bandstand," and those who wish 
they did, will find this splendidly directed show something you could 
only hope for.

Director Pamela LaForce and her team have gathered together a terrific 
cast. With constant dancing and singing, the vintage-style show will 
send you home grinning.

"Hairspray" celebrates Tracy, a happy youngster larger in girth than the 
average teen with a mammoth hairstyle that takes an enormous amount of 
hair spray to hold in place. Her greatest ambition is to dance on the 
local "Corny Collins" teen dance television show.

Against all odds, she successfully auditions for the show and wins over 
Link Larkin, the show's heartthrob.

 From the beginning to the very end and, "You Can't Stop the Beat," the 
show carries you away. And with all that dancing, you just might want to 
get up and join the fun.

The second act does slow down a bit. Tracy befriends a black teen. Her 
intent is to finally integrate television, which she does single-handedly.

"Hairspray" is a social commentary on the injustices of parts of 
American society in the 1960s.

Before long, everyone is singing and dancing together.

While Lindsay Simon literally holds the show together, there are many 
others, a stage full of them, keeping the fun alive.

Robert Pollack as Tracey's mother, a part originated by Harvey 
Fierstein, is wonderful. She's a washerwoman married to an inventive 
husband played quite well by Bob Abelman.

Scene-stealer Alexandria Marzullo plays Tracy's exuberant best friend Penny.

Jen Justice's choreography is spectacular. Her dances never stop. Harold 
Crawford's 60s-style costumes are just right. Set designer Edmond Wolff 
has placed the orchestra behind the performers, giving the set an 
artistic appearance and allowing the stage to be full of dancers.

The usual teen complexes help keep the slim plot moving. Also refreshing 
is the enjoyable mix of dancers.

The original Broadway production of "Hairspray" opened in August of 2002 
and won 8 Tony Awards out of 13 nominations. It ran for 2,500 
performances, closing in January 2009. If there were local Tony Awards, 
the CVLT production would surely be a winner.

Chagrin Valley Little Theatre is generously funded by Cuyahoga County 
residents through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture and is supported by the Ohio 
Arts Council.


  CVLT.org - 440.247.8955

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