Bruce Vilanch Marissa Jaret Winokur and ensemble

Hello Baltimore, 1962!! Hairspray is an irresistable must see piece of theater!!  This show may very well be the most fun we’ve seen in LA for a while. After years of feeling smothered by Andrew Lloyd Webber and The Lion King, I looked upon Hairspray as  breath-of-fresh-Air spray.! It’s that feel good kind of show everyone in the family can enjoy. This is certainly one eye candy treat of a show. Baby boomers will have a doo-wopping good time revisiting sites and sounds of the 6o’s music and dance. Teens and tiny boppers will delight in a visual feast of the most colorful, witty costumes, scenic design, and high energy dancing and singing, practically non-stop.

People that worship this cult hit film by John Waters, should understand that the play is not just like the film …but,  it is the same story based on the film. It offers a deeper edge to a storyline that tries to deal with racial issues of segregation during the 60's.-Not the issue of the integrating the schools, but a TV dance show that plays black music but doesn’t allow blacks to appear on the show.

This may be one of the few times you will be entertain with a show that offers thought provoking messages about a serious matter such as racial discrimination where anyone of any race can come away with a feel good understanding .

It’s the story of plus sized plucky teenager Tracy Turnblad, a high school girl who dreams of becoming a dancer on a ‘Dick Clark’ styled,  after-school TV dance show. She gets thumbs down at her audition purely because of her physical appearance. Even at her school, she’s banished to be in permanent detention and Special Ed class, where she stumbles into a friendship with the other outcasts—'negro teenagers'. They teach her a better dance that finally wins her a spot on the 'Corny Collins' TV dance show.In the process she becomes the hit of the show and wins the love interest of the most popular boy .

Outraged that the show is segregated, except for one day a month- ‘Negro day”, Tracy attempts to break down the color barrier on the show and start a national movement. 

The cast is amazing from start to finish with some of the original Broadway members in this production. Mariss Jaret Winokur, who won the 2003 Tony awards for her portrayal of Tracy Turnblad, is an exciting treat for us to have here in LA.

Ms Winokur is amazingly energetic and carries most of the show .Sandra Denise is delightfully amusing as her best friend, Penny Pingleton.

It’s a party -its fun it’s even a history lesson go see this blast from the past !!