Review: New ‘Hairspray’ national tour sparkles in its post-pandemic San Diego relaunch
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After 625 days of pandemic shutdown, Broadway San Diego resumed its season of national touring shows with the musical “Hairspray” on Tuesday at the San Diego Civic Theater.
Although “Hairspray” has been seen many times in San Diego since its Broadway premiere in 2002 – both touring the Civic and local theater stages – it feels brand new and perfect for the moment. San Diego marks the first stop on this sparkling new touring production that brings a fresh look and feel to Jack O’Brien, former Art Director of San Diego’s Old Globe, who won a 2003 Tony Award for his work on Hairspray received. ”
As always, “Hairspray” is a jubilant, bubbly and very funny musical with great music by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. But in the course of the Black Lives Matter movement 2020 it seems more topical than ever. And its theme of unifying positivity offers a nice change from the militant divisions that have marked this country over the past five years.
Based on the 1988 John Waters film of the same name, the musical is the story of the cheeky and plump teenager Tracy Turnblad from Baltimore from 1962, who plans to incorporate “The Corny Collins Show,” the all-white TV dance party Program of the city. Her progressive ideas terrify the status quo of whites but are welcomed by Motormouth Maybelle, who hosts the only monthly show that allows a black presenter and teenage dancer to be broadcast.
On Wednesday night, the nearly-packed crowd at the Civic roared their support at moments in history where the issue of equality was mentioned. But whenever the character of Motormouth Maybelle – played by Toneisha Harris, the runner-up was 18th. “Harris is a gifted singer who appears with strength and grace.
Another reality TV contestant, Andrew Levitt from season 11 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” wins hearts as Tracy’s mother, Edna Turnblad. Levitt, whose drag alter ego is Nina West, plays the role of the old-fashioned housewife Edna with vulnerability and subtlety. Niki Metcalf’s exuberant appearance as the always optimistic Tracy gives the show a relentless, bubbling energy. And Brandon G. Stalling is cool and confident as the black teen dance sensation Seaweed J. Stubbs.
The show looks chic, with colorful digital projections, fresh costumes, and energetic dance numbers, choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, who received a Tony nomination for his work in 2003. O’Brien put some cutting edge touches on this tour, including a comic pointing out the turmoil of the 2020 elections, and there’s even a fun local clue about the town of Escondido. But the show’s themes, prejudice, segregation and racism, have always been in the script, they now feel more relevant than ever.
‘Hairspray’
When: Thursday 7:30 p.m. 8 p.m. Friday. 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday. 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
Where: San Diego Civic Theater, 1100 Third Avenue, San Diego.
Tickets: $ 35 to $ 120
Online: broadwaysd.com
COVID Protocol: Proof of required full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours prior to the presentation, or a rapid antigen test performed by a doctor within 12 hours of the presentation. Mask compulsory indoors.
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