Wigged Out: "Hairspray" Holds Up in Regional Premiere

"Hairspray"

Book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, based on the New Line Cinema film written and directed by John Waters, directed and choreographed by Barry Ivan, musical direction by Dale Rieling, scenic design by Howard C. Jones, original costume design by William Ivey Long, lighting design by Jack Mehler, sound design by John A. Stone, wig and hair design by Gerard Kelly, orchestrations by Harold Wheeler, arrangements by Marc Shaiman

Principal cast in order of appearance:

Tracy Turnblad, Bridie Carroll

Corny Collins, Todd DuBail

Amber Von Tussle, Dana Zihlman Harshaw

Link Larkin, David Larsen

Prudy Pingleton, Gym Teacher, Matron, Valerie Fagan

Edna Turnblad, Paul C. Vogt

Penny Pingleton, Sarah Elizabeth Nischwitz

Velma Von Tussle, Deb Lyons

Harriman F. Spritzer, Principal, Mr. Pinky, Guard, David Coffee

Wilbur Turnblad, Dick Decareau

Seaweed J. Stubbs, Dashaun Young

Little Inez, Simone Senibaldi

Motormouth Maybelle, Inga Ballard

Performances: Now through November 19

Box Office: 978-232-7200 or www.nsmt.org

The creators of the Tony Award-winning musical "Hairspray" have nothing to fear if every regional theater in the country mounts as jubilant a production of their smash hit as the one currently being staged at the North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, Massachusetts. The first non-Broadway or touring company to obtain the rights to Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman's delightful musicalization of John Water's 1988 cult film of the same name, NSMT is ending its triumphant comeback season with a big-hearted show that delivers big laughs.

"Hairspray" features a rollicking good score that mixes '60s pop, rock, R&B, and Motown sounds into a smart and funny book that teeters on camp but still manages to deliver real people with a real message. The superficial mainstream – and lily white – world of Corny Collins' American Bandstand-style Baltimore dance show may be the primary setting for this good-natured spoof, but the distinctly fringe detention hall denizens who fight to make every day "Negro Day" are the unmistakable heroes of the show.

At the heart of "Hairspray" is the irrepressible Turnblad family – Tracy, the big haired, big bodied, and big voiced optimist who wants love, integrated line dancing, and a happily-ever-after ending with teen idol Link Larkin; Edna, her tough talking but tender hearted (and full figured) Earth Mother; and Wilbur, her Mr. Wizard-like inventor of a father whose love for gadgets is exceeded only by his ardor for his family. This outcast, but never downcast, trio joins forces with the equally indomitable black family of adage rhyming Motormouth Maybelle Stubbs; her agile-footed, open-minded, and utterly charming son Seaweed; and her high-spirited, activist-in-the-making daughter Little Inez. Together they mount a rockin' and rollin' live TV protest that shakes the show's sponsor Ultra Clutch right out of its target demographic and knocks the villainous Von Tussle mother-daughter duo smack on their bouffant hairdo-covered ears.

From the top of its super teased coifs to the bottom of its dynamic dancing toes, this "Hairspray" cast is terrific. Bridie Carroll as the tenacious and true blue Tracy belts and bee-bops with ease. She grabs us right from the start with her rousing "Good Morning Baltimore" and keeps a firm grip on our hearts with the lovelorn "I Can Hear the Bells." Sarah Elizabeth Nischwitz as her loyal sidekick Penny Pingleton is a joy as she goes from mincing mouse to "chocolate loving" glamour gal. David Larsen as the Elvis-inspired Link is the prototypical bad boy turned hero, although his struggle with what sounded like a terrible cold drained his lovely voice of some of its power and charm in his duets "It Takes Two" and "Without Love."

As Tracy's inspirational friend and Penny's "forbidden" love interest Seaweed J. Stubbs, the fleet footed and strong voiced Dashaun Young is dashing and delightful. Inga Ballard as his mother Motormouth Maybelle brings down the house twice, first with the hilarious hefty girl's anthem "Big, Blonde & Beautiful" and then with the powerful gospel-like blues ballad "I Know Where I've Been." The deliciously wicked and WASP-y witches Velma and Amber Von Tussle, as played by Deb Lyons and Dana Zihlman Harshaw, are exactly the kind of conniving little brats you absolutely love to hate. Lyons, in particular, is a lot of fun when recalling her glory days as "Miss Baltimore Crabs." There is also the silky smooth Todd DuBail as Corny Collins who positively sparkles from the sheen of Ipana and Brillcreme (toothpaste and hair styling grease for all you under-50 guys and gidgets). When he croons the title song/advertising jingle, you'd think he was wooing every woman in America instead of pushing his sponsor's product.

It's Paul C. Vogt in drag as the beloved, big-busted Edna, though, who owns and ignites this "Hairspray." His performance – comic, vulnerable, unrepressed, and exquisitely timed – is quite simply divine (yes, that nod to the original was intentional). Self-conscious when faced with appearing in public but fiercely maternal when protecting Tracy, Vogt manages to do the impossible. He makes us believe he's a woman. Dick Decareau as Edna's husband Wilbur ably reinforces the charade. He gives us a man who's head over heels in love – passionate, supportive, and still lustful after all these years. Their delightful and endearing 11^th hour duet, "Timeless to Me," is a bona fide showstopper. Words can't describe how funny their vaudeville style adlibs are as these two old smoothies smile and soft shoe their way across the stage.

In support, Valerie Fagan and North Shore favorite David Coffee deserve special mention. They both give standout performances as multiple oddball characters. Fagan alternates between the ultra-conservative-bordering-on-fanatical Prudy Pingleton, the rough-and-tumble, girl-friendly Gym Teacher, and the sexy and slightly sadistic prison Matron. Her remarkable belt in the Act II opener "The Big Dollhouse" lifts the already rousing jail cell number into the stratosphere. Coffee goes from the ratings hungry Ultra Clutch bigwig Harriman F. Spritzer to the high-waisted and high-strung high school Principal to the prancing fashion designer Mr. Pinky. Fagan and Coffee, and the entire ensemble, hold nothing back in bringing the show's satirized soul of the Sixties to life.

Director-choreographer Barry Ivan has struck a perfect balance between nostalgia and burlesque. Wig and hair designer Gerard Kelly has created magnificent dos that brilliantly accessorize William Ivey Long's original whimsical costumes. It is Dale Rieling's musical direction and John A. Stone's sound design, however, that truly transport us back to a bygone era. The totally tight 12-piece orchestra hums with the non-synthesized sound of the '60s, and the imperceptible amplification of the actors' voices results in a refreshing throwback to a time when pure singing was unadulterated by annoying electronics.

For an experience that will tickle your funny bone but also take hold of your heart, get yourself to the North Shore Music Theatre. "Hairspray" is a feel-good musical that will never go out of style.

PHOTOS:

1. Paul C. Vogt as Edna Turnblad

2. David Larsen and Bridie Carroll as Link Larkin and Tracy Turnblad

3. Dashaun Young as Seaweed J. Stubbs

4. Bridie Carroll, Paul C. Vogt and Dick Decareau as Tracy, Edna and Wilbur Turnblad

Photos by Paul Lyden