BWW Reviews: HAIRSPRAY is a Blast at The MUNY

The MUNY continues its season with an exuberant and colorful staging of Hairspray, the musical based on filmmaker and author John Waters' most accessible, and mainstream, movie. Of course, the master of bad taste allowed some of the rougher edges to get smoothed over in the process, but the core messages of understanding and acceptance in the face of prejudice and intolerance is still present, and that's what's truly important. Get out while the weather is gorgeous and take in the MUNY's fabulous production of Hairspray!

Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan have crafted an amusing script (Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman provide the bubbly score) that retains most of the original plot, while still sticking to the general conventions of musical theatre. The lead character, Tracy Turnblad, is a pleasingly-plump girl who yearns to fall in love with the man of her dreams, Link Larkin, while simultaneously dancing on, and integrating, "The Corny Collins" TV show.

Ryann Redmond sparkles as Tracy, and her sweet vocals are an excellent fit for songs like the opening number, "Good Morning Baltimore." Redmond provides a spunky and engaging presence throughout. John Battagliese also does fine work as her love interest, Link Larkin, projecting the necessary charisma that the part demands. Bryan Batt is an absolute riot as Edna, Tracy's mother, and though the late Divine's shoes are not an easy pair of pumps to step into, Batt acquits himself quite well. Paired with Lara Teeter as her affable husband Wilbur, they provide one of the evening's highlights with their funny and touching version of "You're Timeless To Me." Liz Mikel is particularly memorable as Motormouth Maybelle, a local disc jockey who aids Tracy in her activist activities, and when she sings "I Know Where I've Been", it's an especially moving moment. Charlotte Maltby is fun as Penny Pingleton, an awkward and kind of goofy girl who falls in love with a young boy named Seaweed, and suddenly blossoms. As Seaweed, Gerald Caesar offers up plenty of slick dance moves and smooth vocals, and their duet on "Without Love" definitely generates sparks.

Also standing out in support are Heather Ayers as the villainous stage mother Velma Von Tussle, a former "Miss Baltimore Crab", Taylor Louderman as her supremely spoiled daughter, Amber, Kennedy Holmes as the adorable Little Inez, and Christopher J. Hanke as the cocky Corny Collins.

Director Dan Knechtges keeps the action and scene transitions moving at a brisk and enjoyable pace, and his choreography adds greatly to the experience, with effective recreations of the Madison and the "Dirty Boogie" on the expansive MUNY stage. Robert Mark Morgan's scenic design, along with Matthew Young's video designs bring a kind of seedy cultural charm to1960's era Baltimore. It's all neatly lit by Rob Denton, delightfully costumed by Leon Dobkowski, and features splendid music direction by Charlie Alterman.

Hairspray is a really good show for the entire family,with plenty of laughs, catchy songs, and a timely message as well. So, pack up the brood and see it at The MUNY in Forest Park through June 30, 2015.

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