The Barn pumps it up with energetic ‘Hairspray’
AUGUSTA, Mich.–Musicals have a talent for mixing energetic fun with more serious messages. The musical, Hairspray, opening at The Barn Theater in Augusta this week, is a perfect example of that genre.
It’s a musical that never ceases to be fun and to entertain, from its high-energy “Good morning, Baltimore” to the final “You Can’t Stop the Beat.” The Barn ensemble, led by first-year apprentice Rachel Grindle as Tracy Turnblad, is fully committed to the show’s attitude and personality.
It is also a musical with a message, one that addresses issues of racism, inclusion and body image. Tracy is a girl who is not going to let being overweight stop her from doing what she wants in life and doesn’t see why anyone’s appearance, whether it is weight or skin color, should stop them from celebrating life to its fullest.
And Hairspray is a celebration.
Grindle is charismatic and has all the moves to prove that Tracy really does deserve the dancing crowns and opportunities she covets. She is a beacon of optimism and strength, a woman ready to take on the world and still able to fall madly in love. Grindle captured the youth and spirit of this leading lady and put in an all-around amazing performance.
Her mother, Edna, is played by Barnie favorite and guest artist Robert Newman, who is an imposing presence between both his height and his fat suit. He does a wonderful job of playing the insecure mother who, with the inspiration of her daughter and the support of her husband, grows into the powerful woman ready to take on the world. He finds the right balance of making the role comedic without being disrespectful. He portrays the depth necessary for the role and gives it the right mix of entertainment and meaning.
Their nemeses, Amber and Velma Von Tussle, are played by the equally talented Rachel Mahar and Penelope Alex. They are a perfectly matched mother-daughter team, impeccably coiffed and embodying all the traditional views of beauty in their pastel pinks and gorgeous blond hairs. Mahar is the perfect mean girl, and makes sure her dancing never overshadows that of the lead. Meanwhile Alex does her usual fine job as the villain, fully comfortable in the snobbish cruelty of Velma.
Kasady Kwiatkowska nearly steals the show as Tracy’s awkward friend, Penny. She was nerdy and folded her body into near right angles even while dancing. It was especially fun to watch her fall for Seaweed Stubs, played by Este’Fan Kizer. She let every desire play out on her face and body and the two of them made a great team.
Kizer makes the most of long, thin limbs to perform dance moves that make you want to cheer. He easily outdances any of the boys on the Corny Collins show and by merit alone should have a spot. That he inspires Tracy and gives her the right moves to get on the show is never in doubt. He’s a dancing fiend and has the acting chops to go along with them.
The Barn’s show, directed by Hans Friedrichs, is uniformly strong, with all members of the large ensemble putting in solid performances that capture all of the joy of this show. Friedrichs keeps the show speeding along at a break-neck pace, filling the stage with so much to watch that you could go see it a second time and catch lots of new stuff.
Kwiatkowska doubles as the choreographer, and she makes sure each number tells its story in a show that is essentially about choreography and dancing. She gives each character moves that fit their personality and their role in the show while making it clear why the Corny Collins show is such a hit.
Samantha Snow is the scenic designer and right from the beginning—when she brings out a vertical bed that Tracy is pinned into—she constructs a set that can move in and out quickly and has all the brightness, color and joy that is inherent in “Hairspray.”
There is a lot to love in “Hairspray,” starting with the strong script that is filled with great music, dance, and story. The Barn production embraces all aspects of the musical, celebrating it with top to bottom performances that make every moment a magical one.
Show time: 8 p.m. to 10:30