TBTS’s ‘Hairspray’ Is Deep, High-Energy & Timely

WAKEFIELD, RI —To say that “Hairspray,” now being performed at Theatre by the Sea, is only a feel-good musical, a high-energy helping of cotton candy with spectacular dancing and big wigs, would be inaccurate—it’s deeper.

Dig a little more, and you will discover some very timely social commentary.

In 1962, Baltimore teenager Tracy Turnblad (Niki Metcalf) dreams of nothing more than appearing as a dancer on the “Corny Collins Show.” Tracy falls for the heartthrob singer Link Larkin (Dominic Young), the show’s main attraction.

Velma Von Tussle (Ginger Kroll) is the narrow-minded producer of the show and her conceited daughter Amber (Dylan Lugosi) is in love with Link.

After Tracy wins a spot on the show, she finds out no black dancers are allowed. Instead they get just one day a year to strut their stuff before a television audience. She sets out to change the status quo.

Will Link support Tracy in her quest for equality or will he focus on his own career instead? 

“Hairspray” is based on a 1988 John Waters film and won multiple Tony awards. The book is by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan. The score was composed by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. Christopher Campbell served as director and choreographer.

Metcalf makes for a likable and engaging heroine. Tracy is a good-hearted young woman who risks everything to create change.

Marc Christopher is a lot of fun as Tracy’s frumpy mother Edna. Kevin McGlynn, most recently seen in “Waitress,” appears as Tracy’s eccentric but loving father Wilbur, who runs a novelty shop.

McGlynn and Christopher have a sweet duet, “You’re Timeless to Me.”

Alana Cauthen delivers a powerhouse vocal as Motormouth Maybelle on the stirring “I Know Where I’ve Been.”

Madeline Glave gives a fine comic performance as Tracy’s somewhat daffy friend Penny, who falls for black dancer Seaweed (Sam Yousuf).

The ensemble shines in song after song, including the jaunty opener, “Good Morning Baltimore,” the exuberant closer “You Can’t Stop the Beat,” and “Welcome to the ‘60s.”

The undercurrent of racial discrimination in American culture in the 1960s is made abundantly clear when Velma is positively horrified by the thought of blacks dancing with whites on the “Corny Collins Show.”

Tracy has lived a rather sheltered existence but realizes people’s differences should be embraced, not ridiculed. She’s an unlikely pioneer but stands her ground in the face of a bitter and cynical opposition. Justice prevails because Tracy values her friends and stands up for their rights. 

With diversity, equity, and inclusion programs being eliminated all over the country, the message of tolerance that “Hairspray” promotes becomes all the more potent. 

Like I said, this is a feel-good musical. But it also makes you think of what we can do to be more welcoming to others instead of embracing ignorance.

Hairspray runs through Aug. 16. Theatre By the Sea. The theatre is located at 364 Cards Pond Road, Wakefield. Tickets are $65 – $91 for all performances (additional fees may apply). Discount rates are available for groups of 10 or more by calling (401) 782-3800 x112. Tickets are on sale at the box office Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and performance days from 11 a.m. until curtain, (performance Sundays 12 noon until curtain), online 24-hours-a-day at www.theatrebythesea.com and by phone during normal box office hours by calling (401) 782-TKTS (8587).