Review: HAIRSPRAY at Desert Theatricals

John Waters made films for queer people long before the word queer was embraced by the community. That he was good friends with Warhol makes complete sense to me. They were cut from the same jib. What makes Waters a far better filmmaker was his ability to give us a fun story steeped in pretty clear messages while Warhol’s films are more like abstract art.

Warhol’s muse was Edie Sedgwick, and Waters’ was Divine, the alter ego of his friend Harris Glenn Milstead. Together they made five films; Hairspray was Divine’s last. It premiered in 1988, 20 days before Divine had a fatal heart attack, bringing an end to two decades of film collaborations.

Hairspray as a musical is a brilliant idea. It tickles the fancy musically with big production numbers, and a fairy tale-like storyline, but also addresses racism, cultural appropriation, and what Google says I should call weight stigma or anti-fat bias instead of  “fat shaming” by breaking up with it on stage. But it took another 14 years for the stage musical to make it to Broadway. It quickly became a touring favorite. And this past weekend, Desert Theatricals brought the crowd pleaser to the Rancho Mirage Amphitheater stage to great success.

If you’ve never been to one of their productions, this is your reminder to go. The combination of the outdoor venue, and the professionalism Desert Theatricals bring to the stage makes for a brilliant evening under the stars. They are well cast, and well performed, and this show is no exception. Ray Limon’s choreography and direction always pays attention to detail, and Joshua Carr although seems to have settled into a Conductor role for this production, he’s directed, acted, and has also provided keys on many of their productions. They’re a very good team, and this is one of my favorite productions they’ve done so far. So right up front, kudos to Limon on his direction and choreography, as well as to Carr in the conductor role.

Hairspray revolves around a tv dance show hosted by Corky Collins (Tod Macofsky) and produced by stage mom Velma Von Tussle (Mia Mercado) who is trying to get her daughter, Amber (Maisie Meneer) crowned Miss Teenage Hairspray. She is also pushing her together with Link Larkin ((Garrett Caelan Weir), who is an audience favorite. Tracy Turnblad (Abigail Matossian) watches the show every day with her bestie, Penny (Lizzie Schmelling), and it is Tracy’s dream to be on that show. When one of the dancers has to step away for nine months, there is an opening for a girl dancer. Tracy wants to be that girl.

Macofsky is everything Corky is supposed to be - charming, and with an eye toward change. Macofsky never disappoints musically, and his time with Desert Theatricals shows us he has impressive acting chops as well. Mercado plays momager and producer Velma Von Tussle as the great villain Velma is, and she has raised the ultimate brat in the hateful Amber. Meener alternately stomps around like a toddler, or uses sexual allure to get what she wants. We really don’t like her, and that’s exactly what is supposed to happen. Nice work all around. 

Schmelling gives us and Penny a very fun metamorphosis from frumpy second banana, to full blown stunner. Schmelling is a personal favorite of mine, which means I expect a lot out of her, and she did not disappoint. She’s got great acting chops, and she’s also a terrific vocalist. She really gets an opportunity to show us that in the finale. And when she delivers the line “I’m a pretty girl Mama” - the audience went wild. While I also found it darling and engaging, I felt like I was not in on some musical theatre  joke, and that is, in fact, true. A little research tells me that is originally a line from Gypsy. You’re welcome. 

Dana Adkins plays several characters, and does a great job with all of them. She’s a terrific character actor, and disappears into each role by making strong comical choices for each.

Vonetta Mixon finds the poetry in Motormouth Mabel, and has that gospel sound that immediately takes you to church; Bryant Moon-Watson plays her son, Seaweed J. Stubbs whose budding romance with Penny is escandalo; and we have a star in Hosanna Hailemichael who plays Lil Inez with joy and professionalism; she can sing too! She’s quite young, and I guess I was worried she might break character, but she never did. What she did do is get on my “to watch” list. If she’s into it, I hope she continues acting.

There are a lot of musical numbers and they’re all terrific, but I’m going to call out the opener and closer Good Morning Baltimore and You Can’t Stop the Music. ; and all the numbers on the Corky Show.

Abigail Matossian is Tracy Turnblad, an actor with so much personality and energy we’re in love with Tracy long before her love interest, Link Larkin . Weir is charming as the bright eyed, fresh faced youth who learns harsh truths about life while falling in love. From It Takes Two, where their romance begins, all the way to Without Love we find ourselves won over as he experiences his own transformation.

The A line story (this musical has multiple storylines) involves our young lovers and the power to effect change, we’ve all come to anticipate the arrival of Edna Turnblad (Joe Hopper), who, in every production, stays true to Waters’ original movie - always played in drag. An homage to Divine and the storyline, she/he is always in an exaggerated fat suit. Hopper never plays the drag queen, but the roles of mother and of wife. It’s a really wonderful performance.

Edna’s husband Wilbur (Michael Hamlin) has his own business, The Hardy Har Hut, a joke shop, but dialogue and common sense lead us to believe Edna’s business is the moneymaker. Between the costumer’s decision to put Hamlin in pants with the longest crotch I’ve ever seen, and Hamlin’s portrayal of the happy-go-lucky guy who gets a kick out of life, the character comes to life. You’re Timeless to Me, performed by Hamlin and Hopper, gives us a lovely glimpse into a marriage that has survived two decades.

But the reaction to one line by Tracy was very heartening in these uncertain times, and although I expected some reaction, the volume of applause was very satisfying, “Manipulating the judicial system just to win a contest is Un-America.”

The only downer is its limited run, and that more of you weren’t able to see it. So this is your reminder to book now for The Addams Family in October so you can experience terrific theatre under the stars.    

Musical Credits:

Book By Thomas Meehan and Mark O’Donnell

Music By Marc Shaiman 

Lyrics By Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman

Based on the New Line Cinema film, written and directed by John Waters

Production Credits:

Director/Choreographer: Ray Limon

Musical Director: Robert Rutt

Conductor: Joshua Carr

Rehearsal Accompanist and Pit: Robert Rutt

Stage Manager: Nick Wass

Lighting Design: Gavan Wyrick

Sound Design/Engineer: Ilana Elroi

Set Provided by The Music and Theatre Company, San Diego (Original Broadway Touring Set)

Additional Sets/Crew: Joshua Carr, Leslie Upp

Costume Coordinator: Leslie Upp

Costumes Provided by The Theatre Company, Upland

Wig Design: Kat Scott

Makeup Design: Timothy McIntosh

Additional Props: Desert Theatricals, Leslie Upp

Production Photos/Video City of Rancho Mirage, Jennifer Yount Photography

Musicians

Conductor: Joshua Carr

Keys: Robert Rutt, Scott Smith, Frank Giordano

Bass: Larry Holloway

Percussion:  Robert Marino

Cello:  Teresa Di Pietro

Violin: Cynthia Brogan

Reeds: Al Yankee, John Reilly

Trumpet:  Jostein Aarflot

Trombone: Gary Tole

Guitar: Robert Scarano

Cast

​Tracy Turnblad: Abigail Matossian

Corny Collins: Tod Macofsky

Edna Turnblad: Joe Hooper

Penny Pingleton: Lizzie Schmelling

Velma Von Tussle: Mia Mercado

Amber Von Tussle: Maisie Meneer

Link Larkin: Garrett Caelan Weir

Seaweed J. Stubbs/Guard: Bryant Moon-Watson

Motormouth Maybelle/Guard: Vonetta Mixson*

Wilbur Turnblad/Flasher: Michael Hamlin

Prudy/Gym Teacher/Matron: Dana Adkins

Pinky/Spritzer/Guard/Bum: Tim McIntosh

Lil Inez: Hosanna Hailemichael

Detention Kid/Duane/Guard: Steffon Martindale

Detention Kid/Gilbert/Guard: Christopher Lewis

Detention Kid/Dynamite/Cindy/Hooker 2:.Imani De Leon

Dynamite/Hooker 1: Colette “Coco Maria” Owens

Tammy:Charlotte Upp

Brad: Cole Forsythe

Fender: Danny Hansen

Brenda/Beatnik Chick: Jessica Lenz

Sketch: Xavier Brown

Shelley: Michelle Estrada

IQ: Koby Queenen

Lou Ann: Ava Sarnows