Hairspray in Boston 10/4 & 10/5 Review

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 4:05pm

I said I was going to post a review so instead of doing my homework, I'm going to type up a review.

I had the opportunity to check out Hairspray at the Opera House in Boston on 10/4 and 10/5. Although I went twice, I'll give my review as a whole. The cast had a LOT of energy. I was worried that I wouldn't like Keala Settle as Tracy, as I'm so used to hearing Marisa on the CD, but she was by far excellent! Tara Macri was Amber was Amber Von Tussle, I loved her voice she totally came across as a bit*cy/ditzy in the role. Cassie Levy - I also loved her voice. During "Without Love" when Penny goes all diva when singing, "But now I've tasted chocolate/And I'm never going back!" the audience applauded (at least on Wednesday night). I was so used to Edna having the scratchy voice like Harvey and that I wouldn't like J.P. Dougherty because I didn't really know who he was like I did Bruce and Harvey, but he was hilarious. Of course he doesn't have all the "Harvey-isms" but he made the part his own and I loved it. One of the things I thought was funny was when Edna pulls the telephone cord all the way across the stage and then when she goes to hang up it just snapped out of "his" hand. Jim Bullock as Wilbur, eh, I don't have much to say. He was good, but nothing "stand out of the crowd" spectacular. Susan Henley was Velma, and I believe she came directly from the Canadian cast...she pulled off the "Miss Baltimore Crabs" reprise wonderfully. Aaron Tveit was Link Larkin (for some reason I thought I was looking at someone named Serge Kushnier because he was listed in my program, which isn't updated, so yeah, stupid me...). I think I liked him better Wednesday night than Tuesday night, maybe it's just me. Very sexy voice. Hehe. Thanks to Charlotte Crossley, I now love the song "I Know Where I've Been." I'm usually enjoy watching more upbeat songs on stage, but this was a very touching and soulful scene. Definitely one of the highlights of the show. I didn't realize Naturi Naughton (Lil Inez) was previously in that girl group 3LW! I found that kind of funny...she looks so young (not like a college graduate)!!! Hence why she plays the part plus she is a great singer. Alan Mingo as Seaweed...great dancer, great singer...funny during the detention scene and during the last notes of "Run and Tell That." Jane Blass was Prudy, she was VERY funny looking as the gym teacher and I found the whole part about the showering/extra credit situation funny. Prudy didn't climb over any seats though at the end she just ran down the aisle. Paul McQuillan was Corny Collins...there was something about his voice that I didn't care for, but I can't quite put my finger on it. As for the whole ensemble...once again...a lot of energy!

Some of my favorite numbers besides "I Know Where I've Been" were "Welcome to the '60s," "Timeless to Me," "Without Love," and "You Can't Stop the Beat." Okay, I loved all the songs. I don't want to get down to little details with them...you just have to see the show to find out.

I took advantage of student rush for both of these shows. They start selling them an hour before showtime and they are $25 cash only. Tuesday I got Row I center but moved up to Row E at intermission. Wednesday I got a box seat on the far left in Row O, which I thought was going to be absolutely horrible, but they weren't bad at all...closer than I thought plus nothing really gets cut off from your view. Despite that, I saw a seat in Row E on the left aisle but it was closer to the center than the box seat so I moved. The rows go AA, BB, CC, I *think* DD, but then it is A, B, C, etc. I think the reason I had a box seat Wednesday night because it was press night, and more orchestra seats were taken. They had a table set up in the lobby with folders, videos, and CD samples for the press. Tuesday night looked a bit empty especially in the back of the orchestra. The whole theater is huge...I believe it seats at least 2500 people! It might've been just me again, but I think the audience had more energy Wednesday night than Tuesday night. It seemed as if more lines were being laughed at as if they were enjoying it more. Weird how audiences can change. Anyways, if you're in the Boston area, go see this show! I might even take advantage of seeing it a third time!

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 5:24pm

I saw the tour when it stopped in Philly. I thought it was fantastic. Keala Settle was great.

[elphabagreen]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 5:39pm

i missed it..sadly lol