Theater review: Here’s why the musical ‘Hairspray’ remains both relevant and wildly entertaining
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In 2023, a 2002 musical based on a 1988 film set in 1962 Baltimore feels as relevant as ever.
“Hairspray,” which opened a week long run Tuesday at Minneapolis’ Orpheum Theatre, tells the story of Tracy Turnblad (Niki Metcalf), a plus-size teen with big hair and a bigger heart who wants the chance to dance alongside the popular kids on “The Corny Collins Show.” She’d also like to see Black kids on the show every day, instead of just once a month, on the so-called “Negro Day.”
Through Tracy’s tale, “Hairspray” speaks indirectly about any number of current cultural hot topics, from Black Lives Matter to Drag Queen Storytime. But it’s not preachy about it and instead uses the power of song and dance to celebrate inclusion and acceptance. It’s also a whole lot of fun and bursts with joy at every turn.
To be clear, “Hairspray” is not about drag. There’s not even a gay character on stage. But the key to a successful staging of the show is in casting a drag performer as Edna Turnblad, the grumpy yet sweet mother who only wants to shield her daughter from potential humiliation.
The original film was the first PG-rated mainstream offering from writer/director John Waters, who spent the ’70s making wildly offensive and utterly hilarious films starring the wickedly glamorous drag queen Divine. For once, Divine wasn’t playing some sort of monster, but a sympathetic, lovable hero. “Hairspray” the musical and its many incarnations – the eight-time Tony winning Broadway run, countless international productions and tours, “Hairspray Jr.” for high schools, the 2007 film adaptation and the 2016 live-on-NBC staging – has paid homage to Waters and Divine by casting a man to play Edna, from Harvey Fierstein to George Wendt to John Travolta.
This time around, it’s Andrew Levitt, who is best known for competing as Nina West in the 11th season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” (and winning Miss Congeniality in the process). The 44-year-old Ohio native may be built like a nose tackle, but he’s both nimble and comedic with a powerful voice and commanding presence. It’s a rare pleasure to see an Edna Turnblad with such strong, across-the-board chops.
Metcalf, too, brings the necessary youthful and infectious enthusiasm to the crucial role of Tracy, who is onstage for most of the show. Nearly all of the actors in the main roles really deliver, from Nick Cortazzo as the dizzy, Elvis-esque love interest Link Larkin to Addison Garner as Velma Von Tussle, the breezily bigoted villain and former Miss Baltimore Crabs.
That said, Sandie Lee tones down the inherent sass in the character of Motormouth Maybelle, a wise record shop owner who helps inspire the teens to push back against televised segregation. She may not pop as much when she speaks, surrounded by zany characters. But when she sings, wow, she’s easily the most soulful, emotional player in the cast.
A big reason “Hairspray” has blossomed into such a success story is the music by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. The pair giddily recall the pop music of the late ’50s and early ’60s, from girl group raves to teen idol anthems to hefty R&B barn burners. There’s not a dud in the bunch and this top-notch production will leave audience members humming, glowing and grinning.
‘Hairspray’
When: Through Sunday
Where: Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave. S., Minneapolis
Tickets: $139-$40 via hennepintheatretrust.org
Capsule: Big hair, big tunes and big fun make “Hairspray” a big winner.
