Мюзикл «Hairspray» с успехом идет в театре Mac-Haydn до 6 сентября

“Hairspray,” the musical based on the 1988 John Waters film of the same name has become a staple in the American musical theatre repertoire. The story centers on Tracy Turnblad, a “lovable plus-size teen” as described in the show’s literature. A resident of Baltimore, Maryland in 1962, Tracy goes to an audition and ultimately scores a place on The Corny Collins Show - the local dance show. Once cast, Tracy becomes an overnight star and begins to lead a crusade of social justice to desegregate the show. At first, one is blinded by the music, the costumes and choreography. The show is staged in the early 1960s, the beginning of a decade-long crusade for change and equality. “Hairspray” is a very layered production, wrapped around an incredibly funny caustic and pointed script. With music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Whitman, the Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan book entertains and provokes. The show is electric. Beginning with Tracy’s anthemic “Good Morning Baltimore,” Tracy – played by Shannon Lamy - literally jumps out of the audience and keeps on going for the entirety of her time on stage. Lamy returns to the Mac stage in this star turn and never disappoints. Her voice is strong, her dancing energetic and her acting sincere. Director Steve Edlund has stacked the cast with Mac favorites including producing artistic director John Saunders cast as Tracy’s mother Edna Turnblad. Traditionally played by a man in drag - most famously by Harvey Fierstein, Saunders performance is a wonder to behold. He makes the role his own, yet at the same time has kept much of what Fierstein made famous. Saunders moves Edna’s considerable girth around the stage with grace and ease and always appears to be having the time of his life. Saunders plays magnificently opposite Colin Pritchard, cast as Edna’s husband, Wilbur. Pritchard shines as the perfect foil to Saunders’ antics. Watching Saunders get Pritchard to break character is alone worth the admission to the show. Several times during their show stopping duet, “Timeless to Me,” the interplay resulted into fits of muffled laughter Xander James is Corny Collins, the shallow plastic TV host, is another perfect casting choice. He also happens to be the real-life brother of Lamy. Offering great voices to an already robust cast: Bryce Williamson as Link Larkin, the star dancer who Tracy falls for; Tracy’s best friend, the uptight Penny Pingleton (Bella Pavia); Penny’s even more tightly wound mother, Prudy (Kitty Baker); Seaweed, who has a mutual attraction for Penny (Michael Reed0, and Jeannie Trimboli - as Corny Collins show producer and former Miss Baltimore Crabs, Velma Von Tussle. Ashley D. Kelley portrays Motormouth Maybelle – a blonde-haired black woman who tempers Tracy’s youthful exuberance with the reality of adulthood when it comes to her desire to integrate the Corny Collins Show. She supports the young people, yet wants them to know the maelstrom they are heading into. Her number, “I Know Where I’ve Been” is an anthem for change and encouragement as well as a reality-check for the group, of where life has taken Motormouth and what lies before them on the bumpy road for equality. Kelley’s performance is electric and moving. The large cast of nearly three dozen performers fills the stage and the aisles with Kaitlyn Frank’s dynamic choreography, and voices under the direction of Ethan Swanson make “Hairspray” one of this season’s bests. Shout out to costume designer Kurt Alger, sound designer Sean McGinley and the lighting of Andrew Gmoser, who all coalesce to put the finishing touches on this wonderful production. “Hairspray” stages at Mac-Haydn Theatre in Chatham through Sept. 6. The production sends you out the door wishing the summer season was just getting started. Here’s looking forward to seeing what Mac will be creating for us to enjoy next summer.