Hairspray -- Cleveland, OH -- 06/21/05

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 6/22/05 at 3:02pm

I suck at writing reviews, because #1: I usually am hard to disappoint, #2: this is such a great cast...bare with me.

NOTE: At this production, the roles of:

Corny Collins (Paul McQuillan) will be played by Bryan Crawford
Brad (Bryan Crawford) will be played by Jason Snow
Shelley (Natalie Hill) will be played by Stephanie Fittro
Duane (Brent Davin Vance) will be played by Ryan Wilson...yes a white dude played a black dude, lol. Only for the dance numbers...he was not in "I Know Where I've Been."

After watching the entire production from backstage right, I was looking foward to seeing the entire production from front of the house...I was lucky enough to find a front row center ticket online this past Sunday. Great seat! This seat allowed me to watch two shows all at once: Hairspray and Jim Vukovich.

Before I go on, please note that there is not ONE weak link (haha) in this touring production. It really is one of the best national tours I have seen.

On Sunday, Keala Settle (Tracy) was out on a personal day, so I got to hear Katrina Rose Dideriksen, the Tracy standby. Katrina has a wonderful voice, but has a very different sound compared to Keala. I prefer Keala. Keala got the show on the road since lights up...energy, spunk, beauty, a great voice, etc. 'Tracy' makes the most adorable faces and just fun to watch. From all of the other Tracy's I have seen videos/pictures of, Keala has the best characterization, voice, everything. She IS Tracy and needs to be transfered to the Broadway company after a little bit more time on tour. That would give Katrina a chance to star on the road and develop more.

Other standouts were Jane Blass, playing the Female Authority Figures, Charlotte Crossley (Motormouth Maybelle), Susan Henley (Velma Von Tussle, the bitch), Chandra Lee Schwartz (Penny),...as I run down the cast list in my playbill, I am reminded that they are all wonderful! I could go on and on.

Worth Williams (Amber) could work on her belt, though.

The HOTT awards go to: SERGE KUSHNIER (who sounds just like his brother), Jason Snow, Alan Mingo, Jr., Lindsay Thomas, Natalie Hill.

BTW, watching Jim Vukovich jam on the piano is worth full price admission!

Hairspray runs through Sunday, June 26 and is playing at the State Theatre, Playhouse Square Center.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/showinfo.cfm?showid=375

Updated On: 6/22/05 at 03:02 PM

[Winokur_fan]

Posted: 6/22/05 at 3:14pm

Great review! It's awesome that you got to hear both Katrina and Keala.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 6/22/05 at 3:17pm

And isn't Jim just the hottest!?

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 6/22/05 at 3:26pm

How was Chandra Lee Schwartz as Penny?

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 6/22/05 at 3:35pm

Chandra was excellent...really funny!

There was SOMETHING missing in the wardrobe department, though...

[Born2shine87]

Posted: 6/22/05 at 5:56pm

Yay! I'm going Sat I think!