by Pat Septak

There are many elements that help determine whether a particular
musical production is a success or a flop: the script, the director, the
muusic, the choreography and the cast, just to name a few. But it’s the rare
occasion when all these elements are perfectly meshed together that makes a
show phenomenal. PNC’s Broadway Across America - Pittsburgh’s presentation
of “Hairspray” comes pretty darn close to doing that.

Directed by Matt Lenz, this version of Broadway’s Tony Award-winning
musical comedy does an impressive job of conveying the ugliness of
prejudice, and racial injustice through the use of romance, music and
laughter. Lenz was able to throw in just the right amount of humor, which
was evenly paced throughout the show. He also put to good use a dazzling
set, complete with a back wall of broadway-style stage lights.
Of course, it helps to have a good story. And we definitely have one
here. The year is 1962…and 16-year-old Tracy Tumblad tries out for
Baltimore’s most popular TV show. She’s a big girl, with big hair, a big
voice and a big dream…with a bubbly personality to boot. While attempting
to make a difference in the word, she falls in love along the way. And since
the story takes place in the early 60’s, the music is a real treat. The
songs sound like they came right out of Motown’s songbook.

But what really makes this musical worth the price of the ticket is the
cast. There’s not an actor in the show who is less than stellar. Brooklynn
Pulver is perfectly cast as Tracy. She’s cheerful, determined, gutsy and
funny all at the same time. Jerry O’Boyle in drag as Tracy’s mother Edna is
simply hilarious. His soft-shoe dance number with “husband” Wilbur (Dan
Feretti) generated some of the longest (and loudest) laughs from the
audience. Sharon Malane, who plays Penny Pingleton, proved to be the most
versatile of the cast as she was able to change the inflections in her voice
during the more “soulful” songs in the show. Donell James Foreman was simply
amazing as Penny’s love interest, Seaweed. With his dancing and singing
talents, he could be a star someday in his own right. And Velma Von tussle
is a standout as the story’s deliciously wicked Velma Von Tussle, the
producer of the talent contest who believes the end always justifies the
means.

Just a word of caution to parents of the under-12 crowd: While there
isn’t a lot to object to here from a parent’s point of view, there are a few
suggestive lines and body movements sprinkled throughout the show. But the
overall theme and universal message of the show is one that appeals to all
ages.

Even though this musical has a good moral to the story, the best reason
to see it is because it’s fun! Fun to watch, fun to laugh at and fun to sing
along with. By the end of the opening night’s performance, the crowd at
Heinz Hall was standing on its feet, with young and old alike clapping and
singing along to the refrain of “You Can’t Stop the Beat”. And with a show
like this, who would want to? (Runs thru March 24, 2008 at Heinz Hall).