Hairspray
Review from
Capital Critics' Circle
Hairspray
A Suzart production
Book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan
Music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman, Lyrics by Scott Wittman
Suzart Productions
Director: Sue Fowler Dacey
Musical director: Catherine Spear
Set and sound: Elaine McCausland
Choreographer: Dani Bone-Corbishley
Lighting: Cameron Macdonald
Costumes: Marion Parry
Cast:
Tracy Turnblad…………………...Laura Sibbitt
Edna Turnblad……………………Kraig Paul Proulx
Wilbur Turnblad…………………Dave Corbishley
Penney Pingleton………………..Alicia Barban
Prudy Pingleton…………………Alison Manning
Amber Von Tussle………………Evelyn Jones
Velma Von Tussle………………Reba Sigler
Gym teacher……………………..Joy Bowerman
Mr. Pinky………………………..Scott Shepherd
Petunia Pinky……………………Maya Ruckenstein
Mr. Pinky’s assistants……………Shannon Avery, Charlotte Scott-Frater, Byanna Watt
Motormouth Maybelle……………Stephanie Jones
Seaweed………………………….Damien Broomes
Corny Collins…………………….Adam Goldberg
Li’l Inez…………………………..Samar El Faki
Mr. Spritzer………………………Bill Horsman
Link Larkin……………………….Kyle Gleason
Newscaster/principal……………..Marc Lessard
Camera operators…………………Alex Shepherd, Jillian Wakarchuk
Matron…………………………….Elaine McCausland
Guard………………………………Kelly Bennett
Hooker…………………………….Lesley Hammil
Beatnik chick………………………Mary Lou Hulan
The Council Kids:
Mackenzie Breeze Bone, Morgan Coughlan, Alex Dee, Sarah Dee, Liam Gosson, Noah Grove, Rebecca Hrab, Kristen Leboeuf, Katie Norland, Jamie Rice, Kristopher Tharris, Sarah Dacey
The Dynamites
Lindsay Allen Elizabeth Chant, Cynthia Wood
Detention Kids
Jamaeka Flores, Tamara Mervin, Louis Novesteres, Sydney Quilliam, Rachel Rumstein, Tesh Shil-Ne Subramanian, Evan Welchner
Chorus
Stefanie Almond, Shannon Avery, Julia Belanger, Kelly Bennett, Joy Bowerman, Sarah Dacey, Lesley Hammil, Mary Lou Hulan, Megan Hulan, Judy Kavangh, Marc Lessard, Laura Matson, Elaine McCausland, Alexia Miron, Carol Rose, Maya Ruckenstein, Charlotte Scott-Frater, Alex Shepherd, Katie Shepherd, Scott Shepherd, Jillian Wakarchuk, Bryanna Watt
Reviewed by Iris Winston
The enormous cast of Suzart’s production of Hairspray is itself a statement about bringing people together. And inclusion is the underlying theme of the 2002 musical (originally a movie in 1988).
Partly a metaphor about not having to be a Barbie-doll type beauty to ensure success and partly a statement about racism and social conditions in the 1960s U.S, Hairspray’s main aim is entertainment.
Traditionally, the show incorporates a pantomime-style dame as heroine Tracy Turnblad’s mother (a very funny rendition from Kraig Paul Proulx) and a short man as her father (Dave Corbishley).
Laura Sibbitt brings considerable energy and a lovely singing voice to the lead role of Tracy, while Alicia Barban is suitably perky as her sidekick, Penney. As Motormouth Maybelle, Stephanie Jones’ big voice and strong stage presence are uplifting — gospel singer style — in such numbers as You Can’t Stop the Beat.
Director Sue Fowler Dacey and musical director Catherine Spear and their cast deliver some effective production numbers, but there were severe problems with the sound system (at the performance I attended anyway) that hampered the flow of the show. In addition, although the set style was well conceived, it was frequently too much for the performers and crew to handle. This resulted in periodic difficulty in manipulating set pieces slowing the action.
Nevertheless, the Suzart production was well received by an enthusiastic capacity audience. And, the show achieved its primary purpose of presenting feel-good entertainment for the whole family.
Ottawa, Iris Winston
December 12, 2011
WAIT! It's not too late to get your seasons tickets! If you bought tickets to Hairspray, save over 15% by buying your tickets for both shows PLUS get priority seating!