Theater Review: "Hairspray The Broadway Musical" Tour at The Palace

“You Can’t Stop the Beat” at the Palace Theater in Waterbury now that the fabulous “Hairspray The Broadway Musical” tour has taken to its stage.

Broadway’s Tony Award-winning best musical is back as it kicks off the second half of the Palace’s 2023-2024 season. CEO Frank Tavera notes that the show brings a “refreshing burst of music, dance and energy” to the historic, beautifully renovated theater in downtown Waterbury. “Tracy Turnblad, her family and friends aim to make a positive impact on the greater community, just as the Palace Theater hopes to make a difference as a member of several larger communities.”

Tavera explains that support from donors and sponsors allows the theater to encourage young patrons in their discovery of the arts. He correctly adds that “Who knows–there may be a future Tracy Turnblad among them, ready to change the world!”

Marissa Follo Perry, who performed the role of Tracy on Broadway, will be attending the matinee of today’s performance and has been given permission to visit the talented tour cast backstage.

“Hairspray” has a book written by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan (“The Producers,”) music and arrangements by Marc Shaiman (“Mary Poppins Returns”) and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman. The musical is based on the NewLine Cinema film that was written and directed by John Waters. The tour was directed by Matt Lenz with high energy and delightful choreography by Robbie Roby.

This is indeed a colorful, high energy production, full of the glorious music, joyful dancing and a great message. It felt as if the performance was personalized a bit with a reference to The Brass City and “Go, Huskies!”

What made this show even more special for Waterbury area patrons was the fact that the great musicians in the orchestra pit were conducted by Assistant Music Director Nathaniel Zembruski, who calls Connecticut his home. At the top of the second act, the (very) tall young man appeared in a sparkly jacket to take the spotlight (and many cheers.) It was certainly the right call to allow this talented musician, who also covers keyboard 3 in the pit, to take the baton from Musical Director/Conductor/Keyboard 1 Lizzie Webb in the theater where he grew up. I was thrilled to get to hug his very proud mom Jennifer in the lobby.

Massachusetts native Greg Kalatatas is a delight to watch in “a dream role in this dream of a show,” the iconic role of Tracy’s plus-size mother Edna. It is so much fun to watch the blossoming of Edna, who along with her husband, fiercely love their daughter.

The teenaged Tracy is brought to life by Caroline Eiseman, who is back on the road in Tracy’s shoes. Eiseman brings a terrific singing voice, great dancing and a fun stage presence to her role.

Cleveland-born Josiah Rogers brings “contagious energy” to the role of Seaweed J. Stubbs and Deidre Lang, originally from New Jersey, owns the role of his mother, Motormouth Maybelle. Lang was originally a Dynamite in the first national tour of the show and has appeared on Broadway and on television.

Ralph Prentice Daniel has great comic timing in his portrayal of Wilbur Turnblad. Skyler Shields returns to Baltimore as the “ever sparklin’ Sir Link Larkin” and shines as the young man that Tracy adores. Philadelphia native Andrew Scoggin gives a strong performance as dance show host Corny Collins.

Caroline Portner makes her national tour debut in the role of Amber Von Tussle, and Sarah Hayes makes her tour debut as her controlling mother/show producer Velma.

Kaila Symone Crowder, who hails from North Carolina, is adorable as the young Little Inez. Shout out to Scarlett Jacques, a proud New Zealander in her US professional debut, who makes the most of every moment of her role as Tracy’s best friend Penny Pingelton. It was so much fun to watch her antics during the group numbers.

Micah Sauvageau and Emmanuelle Zeesman cover the adult authority roles. The entire ensemble sings and dances extremely well. I noticed that the guys covered the roles of the mothers scheduled to appear on “Mother/Daughter Day” on the dance show. Kudos to Dynamite Ashia Collins, who began pursuing her passion at WestConn.

My companion for opening night was none other than Bob Tansley, the proud father of Brooke Tansley who appeared in the role of Penny Pingleton on Broadway. The community theater director has seen at least 30 performances of “Hairspray,” so I knew that his expectations would be high. He had nothing but praise for the tour and thoroughly enjoyed it. I am grateful for driving me to opening night.

The colorful costumes that beautifully reflect the era were designed by William Ivey Long, with spectacular wig and hair design by Paul Huntley and Bernie Ardia. The scenic design by David Rockwell is a clever mix of large moveable pieces, drop downs and video design (which included some effective shadows of the cast) by Patrick W. Lord. The tour lighting design by Paul Miller (based on Kenneth Posner’s work) contained a few odd cues, but worked well overall. Sound design by Shannon Slaton worked well.

“Hairspray” continues at the Palace through Thursday.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theater reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, and she posts well over 100 reviews each year. She became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle in 2016. Her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted in the Naugatuck Patch as well as the Patch sites closest to the venue. She is also a feature writer and theater reviewer for the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column IN THE WINGS and theater reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

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