There aren’t many musicals that can boast the number of catchy tunes as “Hairspray,” playing now through Oct. 6 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, 9301 Michigan Road, Indianapolis.
The show, originated as a film by John Waters in 1988, burst onto Broadway in 2002 with hummable (and danceable) tunes such as “Good Morning, Baltimore,” “Mama, I’m a Big Girl Now” and “Welcome to the ‘60s.”
It tells the story of calorically-challenged Baltimore teenager Tracy Turnblad (Adee David) and her obsession with the teen dance program “The Corny Collins Show.” When a spot opens up in the cast, Tracy and her shy and sheltered friend Penny (Nikki Miller) rush down to the studio to audition. Tracy is, of course, laughed out of the audition because of her weight, but before she leaves, she locks eyes with Link (Nate Willey), her heartthrob. At school the next day, Tracy is sent to in-school suspension because the girl who sits behind her can’t see the board over Tracy’s hair. It’s there she meets Seaweed (Antonio LeRoy King), one of the regulars on “The Corny Collins Show’s” monthly “Negro Day.” Seaweed teaches Tracy a few moves; Tracy finds herself part of the cast of the show and the apple of Link’s eye, while Penny falls for Seaweed.
As expected — and because Beef & Boards sets a high bar for performance quality — the dance numbers, choreographed by Ron Morgan, are beyond compelling, from the over-the-top “Run and Tell That” from Seaweed and his crew to the delightful two-step from Eddie Curry and Daniel Klingler as Wilbur and Edna Turnblad, Tracy’s parents.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
With Curry and Klingler as husband and wife, there are stifled laughs on stage and guffaws in the audience. The two are clearly enjoying themselves immensely. Klinger as Edna — in a part traditionally played by a man — follows in the footsteps of Broadway’s Harvey Fierstein and John Travolta in film. “Timeless to Me,” the duet in which Edna and Wilbur reaffirm their love, alone is worth the price of admission.
The only weak spot in the show, however, is David as Tracy. “Hairspray” is a show that stars a chubby young girl who needs to capture us immediately in the opening number with her bubbly optimism in spite of the challenges of her weight. Vocally, David has the chops, but this reviewer thought she needed to smile a whole lot more if she wanted to win our hearts.
Ultimately, what makes “Hairspray” more than just a fun and kicky romp, however, is the history and life lessons it has to share. With the introduction of Seaweed and the Negro Day dancers, the tone of “Hairspray” becomes less lighthearted. Tracy and the “Nicest Kids in Town” from the show come face to face with the injustice of racism. Although Motormouth Maybelle (Tarra Conner Jones) is big, jolly and welcoming to Seaweed’s new group of friends during “Big, Blonde and Beautiful,” she recounts the decades of struggle with the sobering “I Know Where I’ve Been.” Jones’ voice is rich and the lyrics are haunting: “There’s a cry in the distance//It’s a voice that comes from deep within//There’s a cry asking why//I pray the answer’s up ahead, yeah//’Cause I know where I’ve been.”
“Hairspray” at Beef & Boards: good for families, good for life lessons and good for self-esteem. Visit beefandboards.com for showtimes.
