You Can’t Stop the Beat

Hairspray

Do you wanna forget your troubles and just get happy? Well then hurry over to the Grand Theater in Highland Park High School. Bursting with happy hits, heaps of heart and clouds of hairspray for days, Uptown Music Theater’s Summer production is an entertaining, energetic and infectious confection that absolutely should not be missed! It also delivers a strong, positive message about equality. From the snappy opening number, “Good morning Baltimore,” to the show’s rousing finale so filled with pep that “You Can’t Stop the Beat,” this magnificent, multi Tony Award-winning musical comedy is definitely a crowd pleaser for theatergoers of all ages.

Set in 1962 Baltimore, Tracy Turnblad is a sweetly sincere, pleasantly plump high school teenager whose passionate goal is to become a dancer on “The Corny Collins Show.” Her folks, Edna and Wilbur, are two loving, hard-working blue collar parents who just want the best for their little girl. But Tracy is an optimistic, socially conscious outcast among her snobby teenage peers. After being treated unfairly during her audition for the American Bandstand-like TV program, Tracy launches an heroic fight for integrity, equality and racial integration.

This powerful production, guided by talented Director Tor Campbell, tells a character-driven story about injustice for the underdog. The musical is about an empathetic teenager who looks at an unfairly segregated world and decides that it needs to be changed. The show features a most talented cast of “The Nicest Kids in Town” who are teasing their hair, dancing up a storm and singing their hearts out while striking a blow for equal rights. Campbell’s production is a bang-up, non-stop, rollicking rock’n roll romp that makes theatergoers wanna get up and dance in the aisles. Tor Campbell’s peppy period Choreography thoroughly captures the 1960’s, while incorporating the spirit and social relevance of the original, campy 1988 John Waters film. Add to this the brilliance provided by the 2002 Broadway hit that boasts a lively libretto by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan and a spirited score by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.  

The musical’s infectious, toe-tapping score has never sounded better. Aaron Kaplan, a gifted, Jeff Award-Nominated Music Director, guides the cast and serves as Conductor of a talented 21-piece pit orchestra. Under Kaplan’s direction, the talented instrumentalists beautifully accompany the hard-working cast as they sing and dance their way through the story.

The production features a multitalented cast of professional actors who are unsurpassed in their strong vocal work, skilled dancing and honest characterizations. Leading the company is cutie pie Grace Hall as Tracy Turnblad. Making her professional debut, this gifted Northwestern Theatre student, who can light up a room with her smile, opens the show and establishes an over-the-top tone with her dynamic vocals. Grace also proves that she’s a little ball-of-fire dancing machine, as well. 

Playing Edna, Tracy’s plus-sized, agoraphobic mother, is Scott Spector. Returning to the stage after an absence, Mr. Spector has been seen in productions of BIG FISH and A FAIRY TALE ADVENTURE. Scott’s portrayal of Edna is both maternal and comical. The actor can also deliver a song with particular panache. Director Tor Campbell wisely resists the urge to make Edna simply a caricature or a drag queen. Instead, Spector imbues his character with real honesty and dignity, creating a character who is a loving mother and a devoted wife, who’s also battling her own insecurities. 

And in the role of Wilbur, Tracy’s dad, the owner of the Hardy-Har-Har novelty shop, Corey Mills is absolutely terrific. A highly energetic performer, Corey has a lovely voice, can dance with the best of them and, as a comedian, pulls out all the stops. Mr. Mills brings old-fashioned, sentimental Vaudevillian comedy and lots of pizzazz to his scenes. Together with Edna, Corey makes their duet, “You’re Timeless to Me,” a sweet, romantic hit. Tor Campbell has a trio of appealing and talented actors leading his production, and they’re supported by an accomplished ensemble of even more triple threats.

The “Big, Blonde and Beautiful” Ms. Sharon Miles turns into a real red hot mama as Motormouth Maybelle. The actress stops the show cold with her soulful rendition of the musical’s eleventh hour anthem to equality, “I Know Where I’ve Been.” Previously enjoyed in such shows as NINE TO FIVE and TOPDOG/UNDERDOG, the gifted Ms. Miles is a talented actor to watch. Stepping into the role of her spirited son Seaweed J. Stubbs, Ajene Cooks electrifies the stage with his double-jointed dancing and songs like “Run and Tell That” and “Without Love.” And talented little A’Mia Imani burns up every scene she’s in as his sassy younger sister, Little Inez.

Boyishly handsome Abraham Deitz-Green offers a star-turning performance as hunky heartthrob Link Larkin. Abraham is smoothly charming and a singing/dancing sensation,. It’s easy to understand why he’s the object of Tracy’s affection. His sultry rendition of “It Takes Two,” is velvety smooth and filled with hilarious double entendres. Effervescent and delightfully captivating, Lily Ramras shines brightly as sweet and perfectly priceless Penny Pingleton. She shines like a copper coin as Tracy’s naive best friend. I’d really love to see this gifted young actress in a leading role in the future. Penny’s mother, Prudy Pingleton, is played with crazed conservativism by the talented Erin Kelley. Ms. Kelley also has fun portraying the sadistic Matron of the Women’s prison. The dynamic duo of Emma Jean Eastland and Rebecca McTaggart are as funny as they are lovely. The two actresses play the bigoted and villainous TV producer Velma Von Tussle and her spoiled, self-entitled Barbie Doll daughter, Amber. Together they deliciously chew up the scenery, while the handsome, suave and socially conscious Corny Collins, played by Ethan Lupp, rules the stage with every appearance. As the singing and dancing television host, Mr. Lupp is simply phenomenal.

The production is enhanced even further by a talented army of behind-the-scenes technical theatre artists. A large array of colorful period Costumes have been Designed and built by Ben Argenta Kress, accented by some outlandish Hair, Wigs and Makeups created by Hannah Andruss. The show’s impressively professional quality Scenic Design is by Jeff Award-winning Designer Bob Knuth. His  wacky and wild stage sets sparkle brilliantly under Joel Zishuk’s colorful Lighting Design and the colorful and moving Video Projections Designed by Larry Huettman. The only tech problem was that now and then the actors’ body mics weren’t working properly, but that can be fixed. All together, these talented artists help create the world of Baltimore, that’s a joyful “Welcome to the 60’s.”

Through hilarious characters and toe-tapping music, HAIRSPRAY is a timely message for the 21st century about the need for racial harmony. The musical also strikes a strong blow against bullying. In addition, HAIRSPRAY offers a positive message about just simply being yourself and owning the unique talents you possess. Uptown Music Theater’s magnificent production overflows with broad comedy, heartbreaking optimism and loads of music that makes you want to move. The show’s happily-ever-after finale reminds us that, whatever happens in life, “You Can’t Stop the Beat.”

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented July 25-August 3 by Uptown Music Theater at The Grand Theater in Highland Park High School, 433 Vine Ave., Highland Park, IL.

Tickets are available at the door or by going to www.uptownhp.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.