Hairspray

Prince William Little Theatre

Photo Credits: Heather Regan

It’s 1960s Baltimore, and thanks to the energetic cast of Prince William Little Theatre’s “Hairspray,” the beat just can’t be stopped!

This moving story came to life in the Hylton Performing Arts Center with dazzling choreography, timeless tunes, and plenty of heart.

This Production

“Hairspray” was performed in the blackbox-style Gregory Theater of the Hylton Performing Arts Center. This production’s stellar 14-piece orchestra, conducted by Matthew Scarborough, resided on the balcony above the stage. Below them, Peter Marsh’s ingenious set utilized several rotating flats to surround the cast with a variety of settings during the show. Whether it was a hangout at Tracy’s house, a dance party in high school detention, or a spark of change at Motormouth Maybelle’s record store, the scene had a corresponding set piece to accommodate for it, complete with pastels and funky patterns straight out of the 60s. A prime example of this was the playful, larger-than-life set of the Corny Collins show. It had a colorful logo, a massive bottle of ultra-clutch hairspray, and even a working tv camera that broadcasted live footage on the back wall of the stage.

Standout Performances

At the heart of the show was Lindsay Nicole Steinberg’s bubbly performance as Tracy Turnblad: a girl who wanted nothing more than to dance on the Corny Collins Show. When she landed her spot, she decided to use her newfound fame to push boundaries and fight for racial integration. Steinberg injected every iconic number with loads of personality, and skipped around the stage with glee at every turn--particularly when it involved JJ Calavas’s dashing Link Larkin in “I Can Hear the Bells.” Meanwhile, Chelsea Williamson expertly portrayed the rotten Amber Von Tussle. She played to the tv camera with plenty of disingenuous charm, but didn’t hesitate to insult Tracy and her friends to their faces. Her mother, Katie Weigl’s performance as Velma Von Tussle, was equally malicious. Every angry sneer and vicious cackle was larger-than-life, and cemented her villainous persona; the Karen to end all Karens, one might say.

A mom with a completely different mindset, Michael Barret Jones was fabulous in the role of Edna Turnblad. Over the course of the show, he transformed from the role of anxious, protective mother to confident, fashionable superstar. This was in part thanks to Philip Krzywicki’s unwavering support in the role of Wilbur Turnblad: Edna’s supportive husband. Together, the two performed a heartwarming rendition of “(You’re) Timeless To Me.” 

The ensemble kept the true groove of the show! Whether it was the energetic dances of the Corny Collins kids or the tight bright harmonies of the Dynamites, each cast member certainly brought something to the table. Additional shoutouts go to Adrianna Weir’s spunky performance as Li’l Inez, Jessica Mabry’s lovable Penny Pingleton, Justin Harmon’s smooth Seaweed J. Stubbs, Amelia Marsh’s inspired tap solo, and Tim McCleerey‘s Corny Collins (who swung in at this reviewer’s performance with just a few hours’ notice)!

Who Is It For?

Whether you love the show’s classic soundtrack or are just looking to have a groovy time, Prince William Little Theatre’s “Hairspray” fits the bill! I will say, some lines in the show revealed how outdated the book was, but its messages of diversity and acceptance are certainly still relevant to the audiences of today. Speaking of audiences; I’d recommend this show to all ages.

Hairspray just ran its closing weekend of performances, but Prince William Little Theatre has an entire upcoming season of shows left! Visit www.pwlt.org for more information on auditions.