Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre
Tickets: 312-902-1400 or Ticketmaster ($37-87)
Through February 15, 2004
"Welcome to the '60s" is the call of the hit musical Hairspray, the show which won eight Tony Awards, ten Drama Desk Awards, as well as a Grammy and 5 Outer Critics Circle Awards, among others. Having grown up in the '60s, I can tell you, the '60s were never this much fun.
Hairspray, which is based on the John Waters cult film of the same name, starred Harvey Fierstein in its Broadway incarnation. Bruce Vilanch, somewhat of an icon himself, assays the role Mr. Fierstein made famous in the Broadway tour at the Oriental Theatre. That role is Edna Turnblad, the role first immortalized on screen by the drag queen Divine.
The heroine of this story, however, is Tracy Turnblad (Carly Jibson), an overweight teenager who dreams of dancing on the Corny Collins show, a Balitmore version of American Bandstand. When Tracy auditions for the show, she gets a chilly reception from the show’s producer Velma Von Tussle (Susan Cella) and her spoiled daughter Amber (Jordan Ballard). While at the studio, Tracy falls head over heels with heartthrob Link Larkin (Austin Miller). As Tracy goes through her odyssey of equality, she breaks the color barrier, goes to jail and becomes a teen sensation. Her parents Edna and Wilbur Turnblad (Mr. Vilanch and Todd Susman) become involved in their daughter’s adventures, and undergo a renaissance of their own.
Hairspray sounds like marshmallow fluff, but underneath all the sugar, the show makes some very strong statements about prejudice. The approach that Hairspray takes may actually be the most effective way to make a lasting statement, where the “villains” are ridiculous buffoons rather than overbearing threatening authority figures.
The show is lovingly directed by Jack O'Brien, who infuses a constant sense of fun into the story. The world Mr. O'Brien creates is one in which anything is possible, where people of all races mix together and good triumphs over all. O'Brien’s world is enhanced by the extremely colorful designs of David Rockwell (scenery), William Ivey Long (costumes) and Kenneth Posner (lighting).
Bruce Vilanch gives a very fine performance as Edna Turnblad. True to the film version, there is no attempt made to disguise the fact that Edna is played by a man (he speaks and sings in his own vocal range). Vilanch is quite good, and when he gets the chance to unleash his comic talents, he is even better.
Susan Cella and Jordan Ballard are perfect as the spoiled Velma and Amber Von Tussle. Joanna Glushak is wonderfully awkward as Tracy’s best friend Penny Pingleton, and as Link Larkin, Austin Miller is ever the teen idol.
But the show really belongs to Carly Jibson as Tracy Turnblad. Ms. Jibson seems to have a never ending storehouse of energy, and she is as endearing as can be. It’s hard not to fall in love with Tracy Turnblad and Hairspray. Go celebrate Baltimore in the 60s as soon as you can.
