Final performance of Toronto's Hairspray -- WOW!!!

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 11/28/04 at 5:59pm

I just got back from one of the most amazing times I've ever spent in the theatre: the final performance of the Toronto production of Hairspray. WOW!!! I'm having trouble gathering my thoughts, but it was an utterly spectacular finish to a beautiful show. I was at the first preview, and now to see the final performance was very bittersweet.

I don't think the show could have gotten more perfect than it was today. Every single member of the cast was at his or her very best, with more energy and verve than I've ever seen them (this was my 5th time). They've each honed their performance to a sharp edge, and any small qualms I had before were now completely gone. I was blown away by how well each of them now owned their roles. Vanessa Olivarez and Jay Brazeau were PERFECT as Tracy and Edna, respectively. Olivarez has grown so much into the role and now made it hers, and Tracy's softer moments were now conveyed with a delicate sensitivity. Jay Brazeau's Edna - an already amazing performance - was at an astronomical high, hitting each comedic note out of the park and giving his best performance ever, as if guided by a divine will to end the run in perfection.

The most energetic and enthusiastic performer tonight was undoubtedly Michael Torontow (Link); he was bouncing and jumping with a immense amount of adrenaline. I think I've fallen in love with him, his Link was so adorable and PERFECT (there's that word again!). Michael Torontow put so much love into his performance as Link that it was incredibly endearing.

The entire show was two-and-a-half hours of pure energy tonight (or, rather, today - it was a matinee). It got a very emotional in Act II, when Fran Jaye (Motormouth Maybelle) was in tears during "I Know Where's I've Been" and had trouble finishing the song; the others onstage were also crying. But Fran Jaye - who delivered her best performance as Motormouth yet - skillfully pulled it together and ended the song in an emotional triumph; it was incredibly touching, and you could see that the cast loved this show so very much.

Best of all, the audience was PHENOMENAL tonight! I don't think I've ever been part of such an amazing audience. Both Tracy and Edna received entrance applause, and there were many random moments throughout the show when the audience burst into an ovation, not just as the end of numbers. It was obvious that the audience members loved the show and wanted to be at this final performance, and the cast really fed off that energy. By the time we reached "You Can't Stop the Beat," everyone was clapping enthusiastically through the entire finale. The curtain call was amazing; as soon as the show ended, the audience immediately LEAPT to their feet (myself included, up there in the Dress Circle), and cheered like I've never heard an audience cheer before. It was a Standing Ovation of the highest order, and the curtain call reprise of "Good Morning Baltimore" and "You Can't Stop the Beat" was met with thunderous applause.

After the curtain call, Jay Brazeau quieted everyone down and began his closing speech, saying "Thank you for being the best audience we have ever had!" He then proceeded to thank the producers, the Mirvishes, the design team, the people who made the costumes, and the crew - who now came out onstage. He also said that, in his 30 years in the business, this cast of Hairspray has been the most talented group of people he has ever worked with.

The cast was crying and everyone very emotional; Vanessa Olivarez was wiping the tears off her face. The audience continued to cheer enthusiastically, so Vanessa then offered to do the finale one last time - and the cast (and crew!) went into the final reprise of "You Can't Stop the Beat" for a second time! It was magical, and so full of love -- everyone onstage truly loved the show and wanted to perform one last time.

What a beautiful, bittersweet way to end the show. It's sad that Toronto's Hairspray has now closed, especially because the show deserved a much long run. But what a glorious way to end the production -- on a ecstatically cosmic high!

Updated On: 11/28/04 at 05:59 PM

[scottwalker]

Posted: 11/28/04 at 6:12pm

Thanks for the review.It would seem that no matter where you see Hairspray...It is amazing!
Sad that it closed.Nice to have it spreading that 'Joy' everywhere.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 11/28/04 at 6:21pm

Great review, BlueWiz! I'm glad you had a great time and that the cast is fantastic! (Esp. Jay Brazeau...woot!)

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 11/28/04 at 6:35pm

Thanks! I'm still feeling the adrenaline rush - it was a really special performance. I took a few friends with me, and they all loved it. One said it was the best musical she had ever seen!

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 11/28/04 at 7:04pm

bluewizard, thanks for that review. It sounds like it was a magical performance and reminds me of the final show of Rent in Toronto at the Royal Alex back in '98. I've never seen an audience like the one that night since then in the hundreds of shows I've seen. There's something special about a *last* show. We were on cloud nine for days afterwards. Glad you got to be there.

[SallyBrown]

Posted: 11/28/04 at 7:13pm

wait the tour closed? does that mean its not touring anymore or it just closed in Toronto?

[Swiftynifty15]

Posted: 11/28/04 at 7:16pm

Why did it close?

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 11/28/04 at 8:43pm

It's not the tour; Toronto had its own sitting production.

It closed mainly because commercial theatre in Toronto isn't what it used to be, and still hasn't recovered from the economic effects of last year's SARS outbreak. Toronto's commercial theatre depends greatly on US tourists. However, we haven't received as many tourists this past year because
a) after-effects of the SARS outbreak
b) difficulties crossing the border
c) the Canadian dollar is at an all-time high

Earlier this year, The Producers also closed (and The Lion King closed unexpectedly after SARS last year). Hairspray received amazing reviews across the board, but the city just isn't able to sustain multiple long-running productions anymore. It's sad, especially since Toronto's Hairspray cast was one of the very best.

Here's a good article from the Toronto Star about the state of Toronto's commercial theatre.
Hair today, gone tomorrow no reason to cry

Updated On: 11/28/04 at 08:43 PM

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 11/29/04 at 7:59pm

BlueWizard,

Thanks so much for the review. I really ish I could have afforded to go to this show, but seeing as I saw it two nights in a row two weeks ago, it wasn't possible. I DID go to the stage door though on November 5th to say hi to some o the cast members. Allison Smyth was super nice, and Venessa was fun. Michael Torontow was super nice too. I wish the cast the best of luck and sucsess in the future, they all deserve it, and hopefully we will see them on the toronto stage sometime soon.

Sad sad day,
Akiva