Slow Burn’s Vigorous Hairspray As Fresh and Relevant As Ever

Jennifer Massey and Eric Swanson celebrating Edna’s metamorphosis in Slow Burn Theatre’s Hairspray

By Oline Cogdill

Hairspray isn’t a “new” musical anymore. But with director Patrick Fitzwater at the helm of this Slow Burn Theatre Co. production, Hairspray is as fresh and even more relevant as when it landed on the Broadway stage in 2002.

Fitzwater, with associate director and choreographer Trent Oyster, presents a vigorous Hairspray with a highly spirited cast that doesn’t slow down until the last note.

Amid the catchy songs that you can’t stop enjoying are issues that remain important. Hairspray, set in 1962, is essentially about integration and one teenager’s goal to integrate a Baltimore teen dance television show. Audiences of a certain age will remember when practically every local network had a program on which teenagers would dance to pop music in the style of American Bandstand. Younger audience will have no idea how popular those programs and how the teenager dancers became local celebrities.

But subtly, Hairspray based on John Waters’ 1988 movie, also is about body shaming, mothers and daughters, bigotry, entitlement, celebrities, love, arrogance, cancel culture and, of course, music  — the kind of toe-tapping, fun, catchy tunes that, in a way, kind of mask these issues. The musical nor the 2007 movie version make you feel you are being preached to.

Jennifer Massey and Scott Silagy

As Tracy Turnblad, Jennifer Massey sets the tone of this Hairspray with her charming opener “Good Morning, Baltimore.” Massey’s Tracy uncovers her firebrand sense of justice, confidence and a few cool dance moves as she grows up during the production. Her sunny personality and lovely voice draw in the audience.

The effervescent Massey is Hairspray’s lead character and she keeps the musical going, but it’s hard to take your eyes off Eric Swanson as Tracy’s mother Edna Turnblad and Todora Brunson as Motormouth Maybelle when they are on stage.

Brunson is a revelation as Motormouth, the record store owner and defacto leader of the Black teenagers. This veteran South Florida actress packs a multitude of emotions, ranging from anger, hope, joy and sadness in each breath and body language in the rousing Civil Rights anthem “I Know Where I’ve Been.” She deserves the standing ovation she received during the second act.

Eric Swanson as Ednw and Matthew W. Korinko as husband Wilbur

Tracy’s mother Edna has been traditionally played by a man, going back to Waters movie. Slow Burn adds a twist to his legacy with local celebrity Swanson who also performs as Miss Bouvèé, a female impersonator, comic, cabaret artist and activist. Swanson smoothly slips into the role of Edna, going from drab housewife to a glamorous figure who can really rock that sparkly beautiful red dress.

Fitzwater’s knack for assembling outstanding casts continues with Hairspray, which features 26 actors, some making their Slow Burn debuts as well as those returning to the company.

Scott Silagy is charming as teen heartthrob Link Larkin and his growth from self-centered pretty boy to a young man with a conscience, mad dance skills and love with Tracy.

Equally charming is Logan Green as Seaweed J. Stuffs, who also has mad dance skills and owns the stage when he’s on stage. The son of Motormouth, Seaweed finds love with Penny Singleton, Tracy’s repressed best friend winningly played by Jessica Balton. Seaweed and Penny have a real chemistry.

Maryann Traxler shows mean girl vibes as Amber Von Tussle, egged on by her mother, Velma, a wickedly good Gail Bennett. Chris Stevens shows the charisma he would need as Corky Collins, the ambitious host of his TV dance show for teens.

Keep your eyes on Sarah Gerard as Little Inez, Motormouth’s daughter, who has a strong voice.  Matthew W. Korinko brings hilarious comic chops as Wilbur Turnblad, Edna’s husband and Tracy’s father. Michael Materdomini does triple duty as Harriman F. Spritzer, Mr. Pinky and the Principal with a walk-on as a guard.

The ensemble features strong dancers and singers, all of whom are vital to this production of Hairspray,

Slow Burn’s top-flight production team deserves applause including scenic designer Nikolas Serrano, sound by Dan Donato; lighting by Eric Norbury, music director Paul Tine and costume coordinator Rick Peña.

There’s no stopping the music with Slow Burn’s highly entertaining Hairspray. It’s evident that the cast is having fun, and so is the audience.

Hairspray  presented by Slow Burn Theatre Company runs through April 26 at the Amaturo Theater, Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale. Performances 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 1 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Running time a little over two hours with a 15-minute intermission. Single tickets $91.45 with group rates of 10 or more available. $30 for student and teacher rush day-of-show at the window with student /teacher identification while supplies last. Call 954-462-0222 for tickets, at www.browardcenter.org or in person at the Broward Center’s Auto Nation Box Office. Info at www.slowburntheatre.org