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Very rarely has a reviewer felt as enthusiastic about a production as I do about the current Players Guild production of 'Hairspray.'
'Hairspray' was first a movie by cult film director, John Waters, which was later turned into a big Broadway musical, and most recently a feature film starring John Travolta.
Taking place in 1960's Baltimore at the beginning of the civil rights movement and rock and roll, it tells the story of a young, heavy-set teenage girl name Tracy who believes all people should be treated equal, regardless of race, creed, or size. Her big ambition is to dance on the local teen dance show, 'The Corny Collins Show,' where she proves to everyone that she has all the right moves.
Tracy is played by extremely talented actress and vocalist Chelsea Boyd, who electrifies the audience with every number that she performs, stand-outs being 'Good Morning Baltimore' and 'I Can Hear the Bells.' Tracy's mother,
Edna, played by Adam J. Ford (yes, he is a man), is the epitome of a 1960s Baltimore housewife. At 6 feet 6 inches tall, Edna is sweetly portrayed as a fussy, self-conscious woman of girth, who finds that big is, indeed, beautiful.
This show has a huge amount of dance numbers, which the entire cast executes as well as any professional production that I have seen. The energy of Corny and the Council Kids seems inexhaustible, and they all keep up the pace.
This reviewer wishes to recognize the fantastic supporting cast, starting with the character of Velma, played by Teresa Houston, who is the producer of the Corney Collins Show, and her performance of 'Miss Baltimore Crabs,' a lament to her faded youth, which had this reviewer smiling.
Also of note, the role of Motormouth Maybelle, portrayed by Kathy Boyd, who brings down the house with her rendition of 'Big, Blonde, and Beautiful,' and the civil rights hymn 'I Know Where I've Been.'
A special place in this reviewer's heart goes out to the actor who played Wilbur Turnblad, husband of Edna, who serenades her with a beautiful, hilarious love song, 'You're Timeless to Me.'
Every song and dance number performance resulted in a huge response from the audience. I highly recommend you take the time to see this production, as you will be a better person for it. It is a great show.
Very rarely has a reviewer felt as enthusiastic about a production as I do about the current Players Guild production of 'Hairspray.'
'Hairspray' was first a movie by cult film director, John Waters, which was later turned into a big Broadway musical, and most recently a feature film starring John Travolta.
Taking place in 1960's Baltimore at the beginning of the civil rights movement and rock and roll, it tells the story of a young, heavy-set teenage girl name Tracy who believes all people should be treated equal, regardless of race, creed, or size. Her big ambition is to dance on the local teen dance show, 'The Corny Collins Show,' where she proves to everyone that she has all the right moves.
Tracy is played by extremely talented actress and vocalist Chelsea Boyd, who electrifies the audience with every number that she performs, stand-outs being 'Good Morning Baltimore' and 'I Can Hear the Bells.' Tracy's mother,
Edna, played by Adam J. Ford (yes, he is a man), is the epitome of a 1960s Baltimore housewife. At 6 feet 6 inches tall, Edna is sweetly portrayed as a fussy, self-conscious woman of girth, who finds that big is, indeed, beautiful.
This show has a huge amount of dance numbers, which the entire cast executes as well as any professional production that I have seen. The energy of Corny and the Council Kids seems inexhaustible, and they all keep up the pace.
This reviewer wishes to recognize the fantastic supporting cast, starting with the character of Velma, played by Teresa Houston, who is the producer of the Corney Collins Show, and her performance of 'Miss Baltimore Crabs,' a lament to her faded youth, which had this reviewer smiling.
Also of note, the role of Motormouth Maybelle, portrayed by Kathy Boyd, who brings down the house with her rendition of 'Big, Blonde, and Beautiful,' and the civil rights hymn 'I Know Where I've Been.'
A special place in this reviewer's heart goes out to the actor who played Wilbur Turnblad, husband of Edna, who serenades her with a beautiful, hilarious love song, 'You're Timeless to Me.'
Every song and dance number performance resulted in a huge response from the audience. I highly recommend you take the time to see this production, as you will be a better person for it. It is a great show.
