Welcome to Baltimore in the '60s; the hair is big, the tunes are banging, and there’s a sense of change in the air.
'Hairspray' is beloved on the stage and the screen, and this production of the original Broadway musical does not disappoint. With a cast of industry veterans joined by energetic newcomers, the crowd soaks up every moment of this production with sheer joy!
From the moment the first note hits, there’s cheering and whooping as the audience dance in their seats, and the grooving barely stops as one funky tune leads into another. While on its surface 'Hairspray' is an upbeat fun story about Tracy Turnblad, a teenage girl obsessed with making her mark by joining the cast of a popular dance show, the messages of racial inequality in a time of segregation are quickly brought front and centre.
For those unfamiliar with the show, this may seem like a heavy topic to turn into a musical, but 'Hairspray' fans know that the show delivers these important messages with pitch perfection. There are also clear messages of social inclusion, acceptance, and body positivity, but somehow, it’s the ability to keep the tone fun throughout that enables 'Hairspray' to get this across in an incredible, palatable manner. With laughs consistently throughout, be they at physical gags and slapstick moments – of which there are plenty – or at daggy puns or quick little quips, the show is incredibly funny too. The performers, of course, deliver these with absolute perfection and each one of them should be commended for their brilliance.
Image © Jeff Busby
There’s a whole lot to love about Shane Jacobson as he hams it up for the role of Edna Turnblad, bringing massive amounts of talent to the stage – all delivered with an excellent Baltimore accent throughout. Rob Mills absolutely shines as Corny Collins, a role he was born to play, and Todd McKenney is completely loveable as a kooky and awkward Wilbur Turnblad. Newcomer Carmel Rodrigues completely nails the lead role, a perfect Tracy Turnblad if ever there was one.
Without a doubt, this show will have you smiling from ear to ear – it’s joyful, uplifting and even if you don’t already know the tunes, you’ll be singing and dancing along by the time the final curtain comes down.
With barely a stray strand to be seen, 'Hairspray' holds tight and hits all the right notes to deliver a fabulous evening of entertainment.
