Good Morning Minneapolis!- Claire Huss

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 Claire Huss

Hairspray

Good Morning Minneapolis!


Jam-packed with lights, dancing, and nostalgic music, Hairspray is the most fun show I have seen in years. Set in Baltimore 1962, the musical follows Tracy Turnblad as she embarks on her journey toward nationwide fame. Tracy dreams of dancing on the Corny Collins Show but doubts herself because of her weight. She gains confidence after dancing alongside Black students in detention after school but feels discouraged that they will not be able to dance together. So, Tracy decides to push for integration, even at the cost of being labeled a radical. A story of outcasts and overcoming adversity, Hairspray is quirky, fast-paced, and sure to put a smile on your face. 


The ensemble performances in this production blew most of the leads out of the water. In particular, Tracy (Niki Metcalf) struggled to keep up vocally, with the adept ensemble backing her up. Her spoken lines were excellent, though, and she had some of the best deliveries in the whole cast. Her mother, Edna (Andrew Levitt), has comedy written into her very character, and Levitt knows this. Edna’s jokes often felt a beat too long, and she sure milked every line, which sometimes disrupted the quick pace lines usually had. The strongest performances were from Penny (Emery Henderson), Seaweed J. Stubbs (Charlie Bryant III), and Motormouth Maybelle (Melanie Puente Ervin). She was imposing because Ervin was an understudy, and her poignant song “I Know Where I’ve Been” brought the audience to tears. Henderson and Bryant had terrific chemistry, and Henderson was absolutely hilarious. 


From the show's start to its end, the set had impressive versatility. Set pieces moved on and offstage seamlessly and successfully kept up with the show's pace. The Corny Collins set was an audience favorite, with its bright lights and vivid colors. The costumes complemented the set perfectly and added to the atmosphere of 1960s Baltimore. In addition to this, Tracy’s wigs were perfectly campy and showed Tracy’s love for fashion and current trends. The outfits Motormouth Maybelle wore only enhanced the glamour of her character and the unmatched grace she radiates. The technical team wildly succeeded in accompanying the ensemble's skill and only served to highlight their apparent strengths.


The dancing is what truly makes Hairspray such a success. Since the narrative is so dependent on Tracy being an impressive dancer, watching her go above and beyond what others expect of her is rewarding. However, it was disappointing in “You Can’t Stop The Beat” when her solo at the beginning of the song was lackluster. Metcalf was out of breath. Link Larkin (Nick Cortazzo) saved the day with his harmony part, and his chemistry with Metcalf by the show's end was palpable. “The Madison” was so much fun to watch, but the show comes to fruition with the iconic “You Can’t Stop The Beat.” Everything, from Edna’s reveal to Penny’s new outfit to dethroning the Von Tussles, ties the story into a satisfying ending.


Overall, the ensemble positively dazzled the audience. The upbeat music, silly lines, and heartfelt theme create a delightful experience for any theatergoer. This show is perfect for people who are just getting into theatre or avid theatergoers. There are some raunchy jokes, so it might not be the best show for children. But if you think yourself mature enough, Hairspray will provide a fantastic viewing experience.


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