How Much Hairspray Could You Use?

I grew up in the 1980s, when big hair was everywhere before it gave way to the flatter tresses of the ‘90s.  Hairspray companies were raking in the dough when I was in high school.  But like all fashion trends, these things tend to go in cycles, and the ‘80s weren’t the first era of gigantic up-dos.

Take a journey back to 1962.  JFK was president, filming had begun on the very first James Bond movie “Dr. No,” and the Cuban missile crisis was in high gear.  Hairstyles at the time soared higher than the Empire State Building.  But with all this going on, Baltimore teenager Tracy Turnblad was dreaming of one thing: dancing on the popular Corny Collins show. And if there’s one thing that girl can do, its dance!  But her mother is afraid Tracy will be laughed at because of her “pleasantly plump” size and refuses to let her audition.  Tracy finds a way in, though, and gets the opportunity to make her dream come true.  But while Tracy has the chance to pursue her dream, what about all the African-Americans who only get to appear on the show one day each month?

Before too long Tracy joins in the struggle to integrate the Corny Collins show with the help of a delightful ensemble of characters: Link Larkin, Penny Pingleton, her mother Edna, her father Wilbur, Seaweed J. Stubbs, Seaweed’s sister Little Inez and Motormouth Maybelle.  How will this group convince the producers of the show (not to mention the viewing audience) that we all belong together regardless of the color of our skin?

The answer to that question will be revealed by the Tidewater Players as they present the musical-comedy “Hairspray” at the Havre de Grace Opera House.  The show opens this Friday night, November 22, at 8:00 pm, with additional shows every weekend through December 14.  Performances are at 8:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 3:00 pm on Sundays.  Tickets are available through the Tidewater Players website at www.tidewaterplayers.com.  Enjoy a journey back in time with the Tidewater Players!