Hairspray in Memphis

[broadwaytourist]

Posted: 11/6/07 at 7:27am

I saw the non-equity touring company of Hairspray in Memphis last Friday night, and I wanted to say that it was just lovely! I read such negative things on these boards about non-equity tours, but this production did exactly what it was supposed to do - gave us that live outside the NYC area an evening of high quality musical theatre. I have never seen the Broadway version so I can't make comparisons between these actors and those in NYC which leaves me only with my gut reaction. Three standouts -Alyssa Malgeri as Penny, Christian White as Seaweed, and Angela Birchett as Motormouth Maybelle. What fun and what talent. Alyssa's comic timing and belting voice were right on spot. Christian's Seaweed - well what can you say. His dancing was fluid, his acting was sensual, and his singing was delicious. Angela's Motormouth reminded me of the Southern matriarchal gospel singers of the past - full of spirit and emotion and you could actually see where she had been during her singing! Brooklynn Pulver as Tracy was fun, and my family -husband and 11 year old son, really enjoyed Jerry O'Boyle as Edna. My kid did not understand why a man would play a woman, but he certinaly got into it by the end. I wish this company a lot of sucess. They certainly entertained in a big way in Memphis.

P.S. I've been working hard to turn my eleven year old son into a musical theatre buff (my husband takes him to football games so it's all evened out) - but he just could not give a thumbs up for Hairspray. Even though he's been singing Good Morning Baltimore, I Can Hear the Bells, and You Can't Stop the Beat all week, he thought the show had just too much ROMANCE - a real show stopper for my guy! I guess High School Musical would also be a little much. It's next up in Memphis!

[nmartin]

Posted: 11/6/07 at 9:34am

Isn't the Orpheum beautiful?