Through the scented mist of Ultra Clutch hairspray and the thrum of sugary ’60s pop tunes, there’s no mistaking the Broadway-level quality of the musical Hairspray at Theatre by the Sea.
From exquisite staging to jaw-dropping vocals, the show is mesmerizing from start to finish – literally. Tracy Turnblad, bubbly Baltimore teen played by Niki Metcalf, opens the two plus-hour show with a rousing “Good Morning Baltimore” and is joined by the company for a take on “You Can’t Stop the Beat” that draws audience eruptions at the end.
In between, the dynamic cast tells the tale of Tracy trying to land a spot on TV’s Corny Collins dance show. If her chubby physique wasn’t enough for the former beauty queen producer Verna Von Tussle to deny her a spot, her announcement that Black dancers shouldn’t be able to take the stage rocked station administration and sponsors.
Tracy is also caught in the budding yet unlikely relationship with show heartthrob, Link, who is already paired with the producer’s daughter, Amber. Visits to a record shop popular with Black youth leads to even less likely sparks between her awkward best friend Penny and Seaweed, the shop owner’s son. Connections deepen for both couples as Tracy leads Black dancers in revolt against the station’s limitations.
Meanwhile, the audience sees there’s no limit to the sneaky acts Velma is willing to commit to secure Amber the Miss Teenage Hairspray title. Similarly, Seaweed’s mother, Motormouth Maybelle, will spend a night in jail to secure the rights of Black teens.
The Tony Award-winning story alone is relatable and resonates with audiences of all ages. Layer in the deep bench of talent in this cast, dazzling costumes and expert choreographic execution and this show is unstoppable.
Metcalf, who toured nationally as Tracy, is peppy with girl-next-door delivery on vocals like “Without Love” and “It Takes Two.” Madeline Glave as Penny is equally convincing as a socially uncomfortable teen and later bold and willful when supporting a boy she loves.
It’s the more seasoned cast members who are truly unforgettable. Alana Cauthen as Motormouth delivers such a soulful version of “I Know Where I’ve Been” that the audience is temporarily stunned before erupting with applause. The moment follows her dazzling delivery of the upbeat anthem “Big, Blonde and Beautiful.”
Equally endearing is Mark Christopher who plays Tracy’s mother Edna with a sass that only increases as she emerges from self-induced isolation to join the revolutionary 60s. Christopher’s vocals are solid on “You’re Timeless to Me” and his antics prove hysterical, such as him drawing the diminutive Tracey into a hug that lands her directly under his EE breasts.
Together, the entire cast tells the story of teenage revolution with a rare panache and zeal. Dance scenes are executed flawlessly, company members create tableaus that enhance scenes and Director Kevin Hill’s eye for staging creates sweet moments like “Mama I’m a Big Girl Now” in which teenage girls face the audience through mirrorless vanities and beg for slack from their mothers or realistic games of dodgeball.
In a time of year when live theatre is scarce in this area, Theatre by the Sea delivers a production of Hairspray that is an absolute delight and a must-see.
For more information and tickets, go to www.theatrebythesea.com.