Chubby Tracy (Caroline Eiseman) is a ball of positive energy auditioning for the Corny Collins rock’n’roll dance TV show, despite the protestations of the hostile, blonde, skinny Amber (Caroline Portner) and her conniving, diva, racist mother Velma (Sara Hayes). Corny (Andrew Scoggin) is a cheesy charming Dick-Clark type who’s open to more than just the once-a-month “Negro Day” for his dance show.
Through the helpful integration of after school Detention, Tracy is befriended by the charismatic super-dancer Seaweed (Josiah Rogers) and and his spunky dancer sister Little Inez (Kaila Symone Crowder) and learns cool, new dance moves. Tracy’s adorably awkward friend Penny (Scarlett Jaques) and Tracy's homebound, laundress, fat-embarrassed mom Edna (Greg Kalafatas) come along for the ride and enjoy some fabulous make-overs — aided and abetted by dad Wilber (Ralph Prentice Daniel) and Elvis-wannabe heartthrob Link (Skyler Shields) as they fight for integration.
Seaweed’s mother Motormouth Maybelle (Deidre Lang) sets the example of inclusion as she welcomes all to her record shop. A true highlight of the show is her powerful “I Know Where I’ve Been” which reminds us of the serious vein that pulses underneath the fun and frivolity.
Another highlight is the loving dance duet between Edna and Wilbur that celebrates love at all ages and sizes, “You’re Timeless to Me.” Edna was endearing in her arc from frumpy to fabulous.
This performance was marred by two brief pauses for technical difficulties during the first act. It seemed one of the flying-in set pieces wouldn’t land… So many brisk, floating, fast scene and lighting changes — probably tied up with computers… who knows? But the cast leapt back in, restarting with total commitment and energy, and the show ended with the spectacular multi-layered finale/curtain call, the irrepressible “You Can’t Stop the Beat” and had the audience on its feet.
Hairspray continues at Wharton Center’s Great Hall through December 3. Tickets at https://www.whartoncenter.com