Hairspray

You can’t stop the smiles as this bright energetic cast take centre stage with all the groovy fun and flair of the swingin’ ‘60s. Hang onto your wigs - this show rocks!  If they made a Hallmark Card for this one, Edna, it would say wowza! fab, far-out groovy show.

Hairspray premiered at the Lyric Theatre Sydney, the same theatre, over a decade ago, this time Resident Director Eric Giancola is at the helm of the musical comedy with heart.  LED projections have been dumped in favour of fly-in sets and drop-downs from the roof. It feels a bit more traditional, and we focus more on the performance than the spectacle. There are notable fun elements where silhouettes, posters or photo frames come to life. Set Designer David Rockwell’s multiple scene and set changes all roll into one ever-moving, ever-singing extravaganza fitting snugly on the Lyric Theatre stage. 

Hairspray is the adaptation of John Waters’ 1988 film of the same name. Waters’ had taken inspiration from The Buddy Deane Show and racial events of the time. Hairspray collected a swag of Tony Awards, then reinvented itself as a film again in 2007. The story follows our big haired heroine with a conscience, Tracy Turnblad (Carmel Rodrigues in a debut performance) on her journey to be a regular on The Corny Collins teen TV show. During detention, Tracy meets Seaweed (Javon King) and befriends a community of African-American students, quickly becoming an advocate for ending racial segregation. The swinging sixties was a time of change and the 1962 setting for Hairspray allows the show to speak to segregation issues of the time.

Tracey is supported by her mother Edna (Shane Jacobson), who learns to follow her dreams from her daughter, and father Wilbur (Todd McKenney), a little offbeat, but loving and loyal to his girls. What a treat it is to watch Aussie entertainment royalty dazzle amongst a young up-and-coming cast. Jacobson steals our hearts as the big hearted Mumma Bear, along with McKenney’s ever devoted husband and Dad. This is not the first time Jacobson and McKenney have paired up for these roles and the level of comfortability, trust and hilarity is there in droves. The audience couldn’t get enough of them. You will certainly read about the duet ‘(You’re) Timeless to Me’. This duo doesn't need any bells and whistles. Like the curtain they step in front of, they are pure gold. The chemistry and trust between the duo means no two performances could possibly be the same - a little adlib, quip or comedy ever present, yet somehow, they can keep a straight face and reign it right back in. We love them and they give us everything. 

Bobby Fox as Corny Collins lives up to his name as the polished presenter with the hairdo that does not move. With heart and conscience, he plays opposite Rhonda Burchmore, who is delightfully dastardly as Velma “Baltimore Crabs” Von Tussle. Although we do love Burchmore too much to ever really hate her, we can boo and hiss a little until the show is done. With her powerful voice, wonderful facial expressions and quick feet Burchmore makes being on the stage appear as easy as breathing. 

Along with Rodrigues, Mackenzie Dunn (Penny), Sean Johnston (heartthrob Link) and Javon King (Seaweed) are all in the early stages of their careers and ensure Aussie theatre is in safe hands, while the ensemble have just the right amount 50’s dance show smarmy, energy and polished hair. The show closes on ‘You Can’t Stop the Beat’, which had the audience dancing in their seats and which sticks in your head for the trip home. Listen carefully and you’ll feel the song that inspired this one – Can you pick it? 

Watch out for some powerhouse moments by Asabi Goodman as Motormouth Maybelle. As we delve into the theme of segregation, standing up for what is right and following a dream, she lets loose with the emotion fuelled “I know where I’ve been”. Cue goosebumps. 

With a show called Hairspray, hair has to be big - and some of the wigs and styling are next level - with Beehives, Hair Flips, Mop Tops and Tracey’s signature Flicked Bob, the backstage team is kept busy with hair alone! A character all on its own is Edna’s wig; no Jacobson hasn’t grown his locks, the wig is just bloody fabulous. Costumes were a wonderful blend of 50’s cheese for the nicest kids in town, while the mother and daughter characters in the Von Tussle and Turnblad households have carefully considered twinning moments that are a lot of fun. William Ivey Long’s costume designs have certainly brought 1962 Baltimore to life. I do love the irony of one of the 60’s signature colours, Mellow Yellow, being used as a theme colour for the highly strung Von Tussle duo. 

5 cans of Hairspray out of 5. Welcome back to the Lyric Theatre, Hairspray!  Sydney is going to love hosting you.

Nicole Smith 

Photographer: Jeff Busby