Hairspray – REVIEW
Comedic musicals are always a popular choice amongst theatregoers in Sydney. An adaption of the original Tony Award winning Broadway production of Hairspray should delight and have everyone up and dancing in the aisles!
Audiences are transported back in time to Baltimore, 1962 where they meet Tracy Turnblad, a plump teenager whose dream is to appear on The Corny Collins Show and compete for Miss Teenage Hairspray. When her dream transpires she must compete with the beautiful yet unlikeable reigning teen queen and also battle for social change and a major implementation on television that would benefit the whole nation!
This musical extravaganza boasts an orchestra and a huge cast of over 30 performers on stage, headed by Shane Jacobson, Todd McKenney, and Rhonda Burchmore. But the ever-so-talented Carmel Rodrigues steals the show as the utterly lovable and outspoken Tracy Turnblad who jumps every hurdle to realise her dream.
The animated opening musical number Good Morning Baltimore involves the entire ensemble and sets the pace. Audiences quickly realize that a high energy, mastery crafted and hugely entertaining musical lies ahead.
The catchy songs include 1960’s style dance music and downtown rhythm and blues that will have audiences toe-tapping to these alluring sweet and tuneful sounds.
However, underneath the-all singing, all-dancing and all-laughing lies universally relatable sub-storylines concerning the segregation and struggles of the black communities, bullying and the discrimination against ‘big people’. But these dark storylines are handled in a playful and comedic manner, so there are several significant messages that resonate throughout without evoking offense or distaste.
Equality for all, stamp out segregation on all minority groups, let there be black people on television, “ban the ban” and “make every day a Negro day” are some of the messages that echo through to audiences. An inter-racial couple cleverly emerges in the story which would have been taboo in the ’60s but is promoted positively as one of the female characters announces, “Now that I’ve tasted chocolate I’m not going back!”
This is a big-hearted, fun loving musical for the entire family boasting dazzling and colourful costumes, an amazing cast, and professionalism in each area of production.
Ultimately, it’s the ticket purchasing audiences who make or break a theatrical production not the critics, so judging by the reaction from the opening night audience the last word is?
It’s a tremendous party and audiences should love it!!
Until April 2
Sydney Lyric Theatre, 55 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont
www.hairspraymusical.com.au
