Musical “Hairspray” delivers fun – and a message – at Lake Worth Playhouse
By: Dale King and Julia Hebert
LAKE WORTH – Can a “pleasingly plump” teen from Baltimore land the boy of her dreams, nail a spot on a pop TV show and promote racial harmony in 1962 America, all at the same time?
Sure can – if her name is Tracy Turnblad, star of the riotously funny “Hairspray, the Broadway Musical,” playing through July 29 at the Lake Worth Playhouse.
The 2003 musical inspired by John Waters’ 1988 cult film is not only a celebration of the major social changes of the early 1960s, but it also focuses on the double barreled issues of civil rights activism and the growing sexual revolution of that era. Tracy fights for truth, justice, Link Larkin and the right for blacks and whites to dance together on TV in a fluffy, comic way, with lots of terrific bubble gum tunes that slide neatly into Motown rhythms.
“Hairspray” isn’t your typical 1960s retro. This isn’t “Grease,” but it owes something to John Travolta, a “Grease” alum. Travolta played Tracy’s mom, heavyweight Edna Turnblad, in the film. This gave rise to a tradition of men playing that role, and Lake Worth Playhouse follows suit, casting terrific chubby guy John Costanzo as the doting, roly-poly woman of the house.
Kelsey West, a dynamic actress with lots of energy and a voice that’s perfecto, plays the wide-eyed high schooler who welcomes the world with a rendition of “Good Morning, Baltimore.” Initially, her dream is to compete in a dance contest on “The Corny Collins Show” (Andrew Spinelli plays the likable Dick Clark-style host) and maybe even meet teen idol Link Larkin (an ideal Domenic Servidio).
But as things progress, Tracy finds herself campaigning for racial integration as she champions the right of black dancers and girls like herself (far from the standard slim, blond beauty) to be on the show. That means nasty Amber Von Tussle (Ashlley Rodriguez) a chip off the block of her mother, the “Collins Show” producer Velma Van Tussle (Meri Ziev) will face some tough competition.
Tracy, an outcast at school, bonds with her fellow students in detention hall: a group of black kids, among them the super-charged dancer Seaweed J. Stubbs (the droll, marvelously elastic Gregory Hines), whose mom is Motormouth Maybelle (top-notch vocalist Nikki Bradley) fabled owner of a record shop in a black neighborhood.
The action heats up en route to a standoff at a nationwide broadcast of the “Corny Collins Show” where Miss Teenage Hairspray will be crowned. The finale is an energetic, rock-and-roll roustabout that brings everyone onto the stage for a foot-stomping footloose-style song, “You Can’t Stop The Beat.”
Megan Rochford (as Tracy’s nerdy pal, Penny Pingleton) rounds out the show’s third mother-daughter relationship. Also seizing the spotlight as Seaweed’s sister, Little Inez, is Alexandra Lowery, who can really sing it and shake it.
Wilbur Turnblad (Patrick Albano), Edna’s milquetoasty, but loyal husband, is a standout. He’s always there with the right words and the right actions. And the ensemble of dancer-singers on the “Collins” show twist and shout with verve.
Plaudits to members of the live band who make this show particularly exceptional: conductor/keyboard Dominic Raffa, reeds man Dan Salmasioam, bassist Will Cromer and percussionist Murphy Aucamp.
“Hairspray” wraps up July 29 at the Lake Worth Playhouse, 713 Lake Ave., Lake Worth. For tickets, call 561-586-6410.
