Theater Review: 'Hairspray' by City Youth Theater/City Stage Company

Review by Patch Contributor/Connecticut Critics Circle member Nancy Sasso Janis

City Youth Theater/City Stage Company will present their joy-filled production of “Hairspray The Musical” this weekend only at Crosby High School in Waterbury.

Steffon Sampson directs his final show with this group before he relocates to Florida. He also shared stage management duties and ran the lighting board for the final dress rehearsal that I was invited to attend. The fact that Sampson was multi-tasking did not seem to faze this dedicated member of the production team.

Sampson, who signs his program note as “Director/Just a guy who really loves musicals” (and it shows,) thanks his audience for their attendance. “Whether you’re here because you love musical theatre, came for the nostalgia, or got dragged along by someone promising snacks afterwards–whatever brought you in, I’m genuinely glad you’re here.

The director clearly loves this story of Tracy Turnblad, a Baltimore teen with a dream to dance on a television dance program in 1962. When the “pleasantly plump” and wonderfully bubbly white wins a role on the show, the overnight celebrity leads the campaign for the integration of the show.

“This show is fun–like ridiculously fun," writes Sampson. “Big voices, bigger hair, and moves that you want to dance in your seat. But underneath all the sparkle is something real: a story about belonging, standing up for what’s right, and celebrating people for exactly who they are. It’s loud, it’s bold, and it’s still incredibly relevant.” The director hopes to leave audience members with a smile, a song stuck in their head and just a little extra hope in their heart. I certainly left the high school with all three.

Shelby C. Davis, the executive director and founder of CYT/CSC, adds that this is a story of courage, inclusion and “unstoppable power of young people who dare to dream of a better, more unified world. In many ways, the themes of ‘Hairspray’ mirror the mission of our theater: to empower youth, celebrate diversity, and use the stage as a platform for change and creativity.” It is a treat to watch this process unfold as the show comes to life on the stage.

Mollie Leonard, a junior at Shepaug Valley High School and four-time Halo Award nominee, embodies the perfectly positive Tracy. Leonard is supremely comfortable on the stage and shows off her powerful singing voice from the first note in “Good Morning Baltimore.” WAMS senior Quinn Souliere, in his sixth production with CYT show before he heads to college, takes on the important role of TV show host Corny Collins and does so with plenty of charm.

CT’s premiere theater drag entertainer Summer Orlando bounds into the role of Tracy’s big and beautiful mother, Edna Turnblad. The Waterbury native gives a heartfelt and hysterical performance. Orlando is currently directing the Greater Waterbury Children’s Theatre production of “Seussical The Musical" at Rotella Magnet School which runs June 20-29 and I can’t wait to see both casts.

In the role of her husband Wilbur Turnblad, who sings“You’re Timeless to Me,” Robert Santoli (“Sister Act” with CSC) is eternally supportive and gets the line “You follow your dream, baby.”

Emily March shows off her versatility as Prudy Pingleton, clothing shop owner Mrs. Pinky, and the masochistic gym teacher. Sam Centurelli plays Mrs. Spritzer and the tap-dancing prison matron. Nick Panella (“The Wizard of Oz” and “Hairspray” with Landmark) appears as the school principal.

Chloe Zito, a junior at CCSU, is a standout in the role of Tracy’s best friend Penny Pingleton. Ashley Mcleod is always “on” in the role of the vapid, crooked and bigoted Velma Von Tussle and makes the most of every facial expression in her CYT debut.

In her CYT debut, Alexis Dascher is perfectly cast in the role of Velma’s equally condescending daughter Amber (“Cooties.”) It is a satisfying moment when this character is put in her place.

WAMS ninth grader Geno Bascetta takes on the role of the dreamy Link Larkin and has the chance to show off his always impressive dancing. I want to be able to dance like Bascetta when I grow up.

Jaison Luis Hayes is very cute in the role Seaweed J. Stubbs in his CYT debut, and Jaylah Pacheco (Miss Honey in “Matilda”) shines brightly as his sister Little Inez. Brittany Fitzpatrick (“Dreamgirl,” “Sister Act,” “JCS”) graces the cast with her performance as the strong Motormouth Maybelle. What a singing voice this beautiful woman possesses!

The sparkly Dynamites are played by dance captain Chelsea Winborne, Maya Garofalo and Cinthia Pancheco. Council Members include Molly Crossley, Grace Labbe, Brynna Mosher, Jaide Nardini, Lily Tranquillo, Alexa Quinones and Morgan Griffin in her CYT debut. Seaweed’s Crew contains Selena Soto, who holds a Masters in clinical mental health counseling from UNH, and her sister WCSU sophomore and WAMS alum Angelina Soto. Also in the group are Tianna Campbell-Williams, Crosby’s own Jeila Luz-Norales, Elona Byrd, NVCC Music Dept. student assistant Grace Persaud, Jacob Lee, and my Seven Angel’s castmate Esmeralda Reyes.

Shelby Griffin has choreographed the many dance numbers with wonderful dance moves that read as “Welcome to the Sixties.” I loved “The Madison” and the sparkly “You Can’t Stop the Beat Finale.” Judy Kowaliski provided some of the costumes that evoke the era nicely.

The iconic "Welcome to the Sixties" dresses were provided by Summer Orlando, whose lovely fur- trimmed caftan was made by a local community theater costume mom named Allison Nerone. She made it in just a few days to match the Tracy one that Orlando already had. Edna's ever more fabulous wigs were provided by Orlando and Karin Lopez. Orlando told me that Lopez provided Tracy's Act 1 wig (built from scratch in a day), and Velma's wig (which I loved) and Amber's finale wig.

McLeod provided the two great dresses for Velma, with the rainbow polka dot costume my favorite.

The orchestra was led by the venerable Music Director TJ. Thompson for the rehearsal, but will be led by multi-instrumentalist Clio Janis from behind keyboard 1 for the performances. The other musicians, including Meric Martin on guitar 1, sounded excellent from their spot at the rear of the stage area.

Zachary Allen designed the serviceable lighting that illuminates the set designed by Mark Rees and the director, assisted by Kenneth Bond. Producer Millie Soto worked as props master of the props that mostly fit the time period. “Props” to Johan Castillo who is in charge of graphic design and marketing, and worked with Shelby Davis on the layout of the colorful playbill. It was enlightening to watch him film promotional videos of the cast from onstage and offstage during the final rehearsal.

CTY/CSC will offer “Summer with C.Y.T City Lights,” a free summer theater program, “where young performers can explore acting, singing, dancing, and stagecraft in a safe, inclusive environment.” The program runs July 7 - 25, Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. and includes students in grades 3 - 8. There is a final showcase performance that will be open to families and the community.

The talented Bascetta and Souliere will serve as the Masters of Ceremonies for the upcoming City Youth Theater’s 5th Anniversary gala and cabaret fundraiser that will be held on Saturday, July 19 at 6 p.m. at the Palace Theater in Waterbury. This will be “an inspiring evening of celebration and performance including: red carpet reception and 360 camera experience, live cabaret by CYT alumni, hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, Litchfield Distillery tasting, and special award presentation honoring community leaders and supporters. I am honored to be accepting an award as the latter on that evening. Tickets are on sale now at bit.ly/5yeargalacyt.

“Hairspray” is presented with one intermission. Performances are May 23 and 24 at 7 p.m. and May 25 at 2 p.m. at Crosby High School at 300 Pierpont Rd, Waterbury, CT 06705. Tickets at https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/city-youth-theater2/67ca4f121f71c44dc70fe48e

All photos by Johan Castillo

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 newspaper.

Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the CCC Facebook page.