Broadway in Columbus presents 'Hairspray,' starring Nina West as Edna Turnblad
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When Andrew Levitt was performing at Columbus clubs as drag queen Nina West, he didn’t expect to star in a tour of one of Broadway’s most acclaimed musical comedies.
Today, Levitt is wowing crowds as plus-sized mom Edna Turnblad in the 20th anniversary tour of "Hairspray,” which will run Nov. 8-13 at the Ohio Theatre.
"I’m thrilled to come home and celebrate this next chapter of my career with my community,” said Levitt, a Michigan native who grew up in Greentown/North Canton, Ohio, and moved to Columbus in 2001 after graduating from Denison University.
"I’m happy to share a story of hope, joy and celebration in ’Hairspray,’ absolutely timely in its anniversary with a message of acceptance that needs to be heard now more than ever,” he said.
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How does the Tony-winning director view Levitt?
Veteran Broadway director Jack O’Brien praises Levitt’s "breathtaking” performance as Edna, the anxious, protective mother of a plump teenager whose dream of dancing on a local TV show in 1962 Baltimore sparks social change.
"He’s superb ... Andrew’s heart is enormous and suffuses the entire production,” O’Brien said.
O’Brien, a Tony winner for "Hairspray,” appreciates Levitt’s star power.
"Andrew, a successful and appealing performer already adored by thousands and thousands of fans following him, has nothing to prove. He gets entrance applause as Edna, so he doesn’t have to work at it,” O’Brien said.
Since the tour began last fall, Levitt has received plaudits nationwide.
According to a BroadwayWorld review of the Washington D.C. run, "immensely talented” Levitt was a "standout ... hands down” for his "killer work,” while the San Diego Union Tribune noted that Levitt "wins hearts” with "vulnerability and subtlety.”
Why revive 'Hairspray' now?
Such a powerful, poignant new Edna was what the original “Hairspray” creative team (O’Brien, choreographer Jerry Mitchell, composer-lyricist Marc Shaiman, lyricist Scott Wittman and the designers) were looking for to lead their slightly reworked production of the first North American revival tour.
"’It’s beautifully crafted, with one marvelous number after another and the single best finale ever seen (‘You Can’t Stop the Beat’),” O’Brien said.
"Hairspray,” which won eight 2003 Tony awards including best musical and score, explores beauty, gender and race during the early Civil Rights Era as Edna’s daughter Tracy pushes to integrate “The Corny Collins Show.”
"‘Hairspray’ is sweetly subversive, with a message going on underneath that we don’t preach about but that addresses a lot of tensions we’re feeling today,” O’Brien said.
"As fun as it was 20 years ago, 'Hairspray' still resonates because of those issues of separateness and prejudice,” he said.
How did Levitt get cast?
Harvey Fierstein won a Tony for the Broadway role, modeled on Divine’s drag-queen performance in writer-director John Waters’ 1988 movie.
"Replacing Harvey turned out to be a nightmare,” O’Brien said.
"Legitimate actors didn’t fancy getting into drag, but It’s a new world these days, with very talented but very different people who are more comfortable doing women’s roles,” he said.
Levitt, meanwhile, earned acclaim as Nina West after finishing in sixth place and being crowned Miss Congeniality on the 11th season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
“'Drag Race’ gave me the ability to walk through lots of doors,” he said.
During the show, Levitt impersonated Fierstein’s Edna for the “Snatch Game” competition - without knowing a "Hairspray” tour was being planned.
"’Drag Race’ has such a wide viewership, you have no idea who’s watching. Jerry Mitchell saw me and called to say I was incredible,” Levitt said.
O’Brien recalled how excited Mitchell was about Levitt’s “insanely appealing and charming” performance, as the choreographer told him “what a great Edna he might make.”
He has indeed, O’Brien said, adding that Levitt ranks among the top performers of the musical role along with Fierstein and Michael Ball, who won London’s Olivier Award.
“You can’t do better than that... Andrew knows how to turn it on. Boy, does he ever,” O’Brien said.
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How different are Nina and Edna?
While Levitt sees both Nina and Edna as “all heart,” he said his two characters are otherwise dissimilar.
“Nina is funny, optimistic and hopeful. ... Edna has been beaten and kicked around, so she doesn’t see her own value and worth. She’s really trying to survive,” he said.
An agoraphobic housewife, Edna works hard at home by sewing clothes and taking in laundry to support her family.
“Edna puts her daughter and husband before herself, sacrificing her dreams so her husband could open a joke shop and her daughter can go to school in good clothes,” Levitt said.
“Like so many women do, she puts her weight on how other people see her, but she has to learn to define herself on her terms,” Levitt said.
How has 'Hairspray' inspired the actress playing Tracy?
Niki Metcalf plays Tracy, Edna’s plus-sized daughter.
“Goofy and funny, she’s a 16-year-old with a big heart, big dreams and even bigger hair,” Metcalf said.
The actress, who’s loved “Hairspray” since she saw it in childhood, identifies with her role.
“It’s one reason I’m in theater; Tracy looked like me!” Metcalf said.
Growing up short and overweight, Metcalf found Tracy’s positive attitude inspiring.
"What you see about body image in media today is mostly characters insecure about what they look like. But Tracy never has a moment of, ‘Oh, maybe I need to lose weight to deserve this,’” Metcalf said.
"She embodies who she is from the start. That’s a powerful message,” she said.
Metcalf, 26, also finds it inspiring to perform with Levitt, 44.
"I love Andrew. He has such warmth, detail, precision and welcome open energy,” she said.
Now on the road for a second year, Levitt and Metcalf have developed a rapport onstage.
"We got to build that together, and now, we’ve built a family onstage ... Tracy helps show her mom how big the world is and how she’s allowed to step out. She helps Edna get out of the house and out of her shell,” Metcalf said.
"It’s so cool to see how Andrew portrays that growth, as Edna becomes a beautiful, confident woman,” she said.
How did Levitt’s Columbus roles prepare him for 'Hairspray'?
Looking back, Levitt views his career as a "natural progression” from his Columbus roots.
"'Hairspray’ is a show about change, progress and loving yourself -- the different pillars with which I have executed my career. It gives me a chance to flex other muscles, from acting to singing live,” Levitt said.
Levitt honed his performing skills as a drag headliner at clubs, including 15 years at Axis Nightclub (especially annual "Heels of Horror” appearances.)
Theatergoers may remember his CATCO productions ("Buyer and Cellar,” "Peter and the Starcatcher”) and his most recent role here in 2020 in Short North Stage’s "When Pigs Fly.”
Levitt, whose parents live in Upper Arlington, signed on for the tour’s second leg because it includes Columbus."That means the world to me ... I’m where I am because of the work I was able to do there,” Levitt said.
@mgrossberg1
At a glance
Broadway in Columbus and the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts will present “Hairspray” at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8-10, 8 p.m. Nov. 11, 2 and 8 p.m. Nov. 12, and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Nov 13 at the Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St. Tickets start at $39. (cbusarts.com)
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Hairspray' revival running Nov. 8-13 in Columbus, starring Nina West
