Drury Lane Theater Presents Hairspray the Broadway Musical (Review)

Since seeing my very first Broadway musical last year with my daughter I can say that I would love to see them all if I had time. I grew up a fan of musicals since I was a child with both my mom and my grandma watching great movies like Grease, Mary Poppins, Holiday Inn and so many more I too developed a love for them.  Movies that get you toe tappin, seat dancing and up on your feet because you just can’t help yourself put you in a great mood. Just to share a little bit about a special moment in my life my oldest son was born while watching the Buddy Holly Story in the hospital 23 years ago. If you love movies like these then you’ll love a Broadway Musical and you’ll love Hairspray the Broadway Musical.

Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. –HAIRSPRAY, the Tony Award-winning musical The New Yorker called “Exhilaratingly funny!” will be presented at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, previewing April 12, opening April 19, and running through June 17, 2012. HAIRSPRAY is Directed and Choreographed by Jeff Award winner Tammy Mader, who served as the Director and Choreographer for Drury Lane Theatre’s critically acclaimed Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, and the Choreographer of Drury Lane Theatre’s Spamalot, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and Gypsy. The all-star cast is led by Lillian Castillo as “Tracy Turnblad;” Jeff Award winner Michael Lindner as “Edna Turnblad” (National Tour of Mamma Mia! and Drury Lane Theatre’s Ragtime); Felicia Fields as “Motormouth Maybelle” (Tony Award nominee for Best Featured Actress in The Color Purple on Broadway); Tim Kazurinsky as “Wilbur Turnblad” (Saturday Night Live); Erik Altemus as “Link Larkin” (The Fantasticks Off-Broadway); Holly Lyn Laurent as “Amber” (National Tour of Rock of Ages) and Jon Michael Reese as “Seaweed J. Stubbs” (When Last We Flew at New York International Fringe Festival).

Based on the 1988 John Waters cult classic film, HAIRSPRAY ran for 2,500 performances on Broadway and won eight Tony Awards including Best Musical in 2003. The production also won eleven Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Musical, in 2003, as well as the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical in 2007. HAIRSRPAY also inspired the Golden Globe-nominated 2007 blockbuster film starring John Travolta. The New York Times raved that “If life were everything it should be, it would be more like HAIRSPRAY. It’s irresistible!” and the New York Post enthused “A great big fat gorgeous hit!” The production features music by five-time Oscar nominee Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman, and a book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan. The upbeat score includes rhythm and blues and oldies-inspired songs You Can’t Stop the Beat, Welcome to the 60’s, and Hairspray.

Set in 1960’s Baltimore, HAIRSPRAY is the exuberant story of big-hearted, pleasantly plump teen Tracy Turnblad, who does whatever it takes to fulfill her lifelong dream of appearing on the popular Corny Collins Show. Can this plus-size trendsetter vanquish the program’s reigning princess, win the heart of handsome Link Larkin, and integrate a television show without denting her fabulous ‘do? This feel-good musical is a glorious celebration of following dreams and standing up for what’s right.

This is a video clip from the original 20002 Hairspray cast members to give you an idea of the energy and fun this show provides for the audience.

Touching on a topic that used to be taboo Hairspray showcases the honest thoughts and opinions of teenagers from the 60′s and how segregation used to be the norm. Adding a funny twist with song, comedy and dance the audience can’t help but be drawn in to the feature of this hit Broadway Musical remembering the moments of yester years. Wanting to fall in love, dealing with bullying, getting arrested, and parents that just don’t understand, a pleasantly plump girl with a big heart standing up for herself and friends of a different race and color see’s nothing wrong with being able to share the stage with her friends and she’ll tell everyone on the taping of a live television show. It’s time for a change. It’s time to open up your eyes and love people for who they are. I absolutely loved the message Hairspray shares with the public and think all from grammar to high school needs to be turned on to the important message that Hairspray delivers. I found it heartwarming as well as isle dancing entertainment fun for the whole family.

Keep your eyes on the stage and don’t forget to check the isle for you won’t want to miss a minute of the magic of this Broadway hit show “Hairspray”.

The performance schedule is as follows: Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. ($35), Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. ($35) and 8 p.m. ($40), Fridays at 8:30 p.m. ($45), Saturdays at 5 p.m. ($45) and 8:30 p.m. ($46) and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. ($45) and 6 p.m. ($40). Lunch and dinner theater packages range from $49.75 to $68 depending on the day of the week. Student tickets start as low as $20 and Senior Citizen tickets start as low as $30 for matinees and $44.75 for a matinee luncheon package. For reservations, call the Drury Lane Theatre box office at 630.530.0111, call TicketMaster at 800.745.3000, or visit www.drurylaneoakbrook.com.

disclosure: I was provided with 2 tickets to attend the show and after Press party to share my thoughts on Hairspray the Musical with my readers. No other compensation was provided