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- 8. October 2011: LIVES ON THE ROCKS
- 7. October 2011: YOU CAN PICK YOUR FRIENDS...
- 28. August 2011: GOING OUT WITH A BANG
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- 30. July 2011: SHE’S A DIRTY, DIRTY GIRL
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- 23. July 2011: RING! RING! DON’T ANSWER THAT PHONE!
- 21. July 2011: ENTERTAINING FAMILY FARE FROM CLO
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WELCOME TO THE 60’s: HAIRSPRAY
WELCOME TO THE 60’s: HAIRSPRAY
F. J. Hartland
Set in nearby Baltimore and based on the cult film by John Waters, the musical Hairspray is rocking it at the Benedum for CLO.
It’s 1962 and Baltimore s a segregated town. Spunky Tracy Turnblatt wants to integrate the Corny Collins Show, an American Bandstand kind of show.
Directed by Barry Ivan, CLO gives us a lively, colorful show that will make you want to dance in the aisles.Katrina Rose Didericksen is full of charm and pep as Tracy. She also has a powerful voice. My only criticism is that she’s really not the “full-figured” girl Tracy is supposed to be. It is obvious she is padded to look heavy. But other than that, she is thoroughly engaging.
Niki Scalera is a comic delight as Tracy’s nerdy best gal-pal Penny. With every joke, Scalera lands a bulls eye.
MadTV’s Paul Vogt plays Tracy’s hefty and loving mother Edna. And he gives it 110%. Whether singing, dancing or wise-cracking, Vogt is larger-than-life and proves he is as at home on stage as he is on camera. Likewise, Jim J. Bullock comes as a complete surprise as Tracy’s dad Wilbur. More than just a sitcom caricature, Bullock is a singing and dancing showman. The two reduce the audience (and each other) into gales of laughter during the “(You’re) Timeless to Me” number.
Diminutive Drew Lachey plays Corny Collins and does not seem as comfortable on stage as Vogt and Bullock. With more confidence, he could be quite good.
As Seaweed J. Stubbs, Rashad Naylor is sweet and sexy and one helluva smooth dancer.
In Act Two Kecia Lewis-Evans as Motormouth Maybelle brings down the house with her powerful and moving rendition of “I Know Where I’ve Been.” The audience burst into cheers and applause long before the song concluded.
Hats off to Madeleine Doherty who plays three various characters. Her transformations are so complete, you have to look in your program to realize it’s the same performer. Sadly, Stuart Marland is unable to do the same with his variety of characters.
David Rockwell and William Ivey Long provide colorful sets and costumes…and it’s amazing how much Baltimore resembles parts of Pittsburgh. One would swear Tracy lived somewhere in Lawrenceville or the Southside!
There were some opening night glitches—particularly with the follow spotlights. But they will certainly be resolved quickly, I hope.
Get to the Benedum and see Hairspray before it closes on August 1.