BWW Reviews: You Can't Stop The Beat Of CM PAC's HAIRSPRAY

From the moment the curtain for "Hairspray" rises, you can tell you're in for a great time. Running through March 11^th at CM PAC of Oakdale, you'll find this Tony-award winning show has a great story (by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan), great music (by Shaiman and Wittman), and a wonderfully talented cast directed by PatRick Grossman.

Alyse Nicole Arpino leads the energetic cast portraying Tracy Turnblad. True to Tracy, Alyse's exuberant personality and take on Tracy's innocence were a great fit. Tracy loves to dance and she auditions for a variety dance show. We find Tracy on a mission of change after she is told she cannot be on the show with her newfound friends simply because the color of their skin. Faced with the challenges of segregation, a bewildered and frustrated Tracy is determined to get her and her friends on the "Corny Collins" show even if it means going to jail in the process.

Laughter abounds as Kristen Digilio portrays Penny Pinglton. Kristen's all around vision for Penny was fantastic for a young actress. The fun she had getting into character and playing Penny was apparent and her comedy was top notch.

Rounding out the cast is Edd Ohlsen as Edna Turnblad, Tim Pappalardo as Corny Collins, Paul Velutis as Link Larkin, Dawn Klein as Amber Von Tussle, Dondi Rollins, Jr as Seaweed Stubbs, Denise Anonelle as Velma Von Tussle, and sharing the role of Prudy Pingleton is Melissa Barczak and Terry Brennan. The entire cast is an absolute delight and they sound fantastic together as well as individually.

PatRick Grossman (not only Director, but also Set Designer and Choreographer) did a superb job with the set. They made great use of the stage going from scene to scene pretty much seamlessly even at some points turning it into a multi-level stage. Additionally, Ronald Green III did a great job making the costumes reflect that time. Set in the 1960's, the ladies had the big hair and full skirts and the set had splashes of really bright colors.

"Hairspray" may be a standard among the theatre community, but when you have a cast as wonderful as the one at CM PAC of Oakdale, Long Island, it cannot be missed.

"Hairspray" runs through March 11th at CM PAC in Oakdale, Long Island. Book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan; Music by Marc Shaiman; Lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman; Produced by Noel Ruiz; Directed, Choreographed, and Set by PatRick Grossman; Music Direction by Jenn C. Roller; Lighting Design by Joseph Naftal; Costume Design by Ronald Green III; Stage Manager, Sean Burbig; Assistant Stage Manager, Emily Hannaway; Assistant Stage Manager, Jeff Tierno; Assistant Choreographer, M.E. Junge

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