The touring production of
”
Hairspray
”
flew into San Francisco with the force of landing jumbo jet with
bad breaks on a steep runaway.
The touring production of “Hairspray” flew into San Francisco with the force of landing jumbo jet with bad breaks on a steep runaway. From the minute the curtain rises and chubby, idealistic Tracy Turnbland steps on the stage, the energy never stops. With a musical score that makes the audience move to the ’60s beat to sharp, crisp exuberant choreography, to a cast that gives 200 percent, you have a lovefest that you only felt in the finale of “Mama Mia” – except this carries throughout the whole show. Fasten your seat belts, you are in for the ride of your life.
Never mind that this is a frivolous, silly plot of the ’60s that has a message that comes through with remembrance of a past time. It works, it’s fun and a joy to watch. Tracy’s dream is to win a local teen TV dance contest, win the heart of sleek hunk Link Larkin and integrate the world starting with the TV stations of Baltimore.
Tracy’s mother, the indomitable Edna, tromps around draped in dowdy muumuus, hairnets and Gucci-type gowns. The actor trundles around like a hippo from Fantasia and underplays Edna in just the right places. “Timeless To Me” – with her lovable, adoring, geeky husband Wilber – is a refreshing bit of vaudeville that stops the show.
Seaweed the black/white love interest is another multi-talented energy machine that doesn’t let the patrons blink.
The fast moving tight direction of Matt Lenz, Danny James Austin’s recreation of Jerry Mitchell’s original choreography, David Rockwell sets and William Ivey Long’s Tony-winning costumes are all amazing and won’t let the attention lapse. These are the areas of stagecraft at it’s finest and we are fortunate to be able to experience them.
This entire cast works with a freshness you don’t often see in touring companies; they work like it’s the first perfect performance after final dress rehearsal. Not an easy task after performing the same part dozens of times. These people emit the feeling that they are thoroughly, ultimately and sincerely enjoying themselves. The audience can feel this and, with this feeling, becomes a part of the total picture instead of the casual onlooker. A unique experience.
Here is another experience well timed for these stressful times. If you want to just feel good go and see “Hairspray.”
Camille Bounds is the arts and entertainment editor for the Western Division of Sunrise Publications.
