Run and Tell That! Hairspray at the Levoy Theatre is a Hit!

by Josh Buffington

“You Can't Stop the Beat” at the Levoy Theatre!  I entered the theatre on opening night to some of the nicest ushers I have ever met, which made me so excited to watch this iconic show and set the mood from the beginning!  Walking to my seats, looking at the gorgeous theatre, admiring the amazing set designed by Mary Boner and built by Chris Watts and Tim Boner; everything was so beautiful, even all of the little details from the record shop to the giant Ultra Clutch hairspray can.

In the beginning and throughout the whole show I could not help but admire how well the pit played and the transitions with the ques.  The music direction by Jimmy Jesberger was outstanding.  Every single song I thought deserved an ovation because of how good the performers and orchestra were in combination with the pit and vocals.  In addition to singing, everyone’s voices were genuinely jaw dropping and made me have literal chills.  Some most notable songs: “Big, Blonde, and Beautiful”, “I Know Where I’ve Been”,  and of course “You Can’t Stop the Beat”.  

I also must mention more of the production team that made this show so beautiful and amazing!  I want to start off with the Lighting Designer Tyler Daddario who immediately set the mood of the whole show with the lights in “Good Morning Baltimore” and continued throughout the show.  After lighting design is sound which was phenomenally designed by Sean Pedrick.  Following the sound we have some of the most gorgeous costuming done by Costume Designer Kim Hitchner who made every single character look perfectly from the 60’s. I want to give a special applause to the gorgeous dress that Edna wore in the finale!  Just like Juliet had her Romeo, costumes have their hair and makeup designed by John Rattacasa who helped make every character come to life even more and look so realistic especially because of the wigs. One thing that also makes a show look and feel as realistic as possible is props and that would not be possible without the props master Donna Laning.  

There is always one aspect of a show that makes me think about how good the show really is and that is the choreography.  This can most definitely make or break a show and in the case of the Levoy's Hairspray, I think that it definitely made the show.  Some of my favorite choreography numbers were “The Big Dollhouse” and “Your Timeless to Me”.  I could talk about each and every one of these songs, but we do not have time for that.  What we do have time for is watching more fantastic choreography by the talented Olivia Cruz.  This amazing choreography has to have scenes in between.  Since the beginning I knew that this Director was going to make a masterpiece and he most certainly did.  Directed by Domonic Barnes and Assistant Director Chris Crawford Jr. this show changed my life and I know it will change yours too.  Obviously this production could not be possible without someone organizing and managing everyone in this outstanding cast which is in large thanks to Stage Manager Maria Dixon and Assistant Stage Manager Carrie Ellis who gathered up this cast to make this show as spectacular as it is!  

How could I forget arguably the most important part of the show, the amazing actors!  To start of with the council members who wouldn’t make the Corny Collins show not nearly as entertaining as it was we have; Landyn Pollard (Fender), CJ Jarema (Brad), Jason Reynolds (Sketch), Collin Baker (IQ), Nora Cleary (Tammy), Andrea Ellis (Shelly), Sophia Comport (Lou Ann), and Roselyn Driscoll (Brenda).  These great performers could not have been better accompanied by the Record Shop Kids who are; Khai Jones (Gilbert), Michael Bembery Jr. (Stooie), Taye Hopkins (Duane), Jackson Brown (Thad), Jamir Dixon (Al), Brejai Grant (Cindy Watkins), Alexandra Rowe (Lorraine), and Gabrielle Johnson (Joyce).  Each one of these characters brought so much life onto the stage.  

I must say the Dynamites were definitely dynamite.  Their vocal talent was actually jaw dropping giving me literal chills every time they sang.  These talented people are Jada Mayo (Shayna), Melissa Padilla (Kamilah), and Raven Stewart (Judine).  Adding onto this talented cast we have Alair Diremigio (Bum/Cop/Guard), Darin Dorzan (Mr. Pinky/Spritzer/Principal/ Flasher), Chrissie Capece (Prudy Pingleton/Gym Teacher/ Matron).  All three of these performers definitely added the perfect amount of depth and enthusiasm that this show needed with a bit of comedy in their choices that made the show so entertaining.  We also cannot forget the talented Taylor Pickett - Stokes (Motormouth Maybelle) with her outstanding vocal abilities that made me shed tears in the act 1 finale.  Along her side is Shai Wallace (Little Inez) who played her character to absolute perfection.  I also must include Don Toal Jr. (Corny Collins) who played the role identically to what you would think the perfect Corny should be.  We can’t forget about the producer of the Corny Collins show Jesica Counts (Velma Von Tussle) who played the villain flawlessly.  To round off the first mother-daughter duo we have Elena Marcato (Amber Von Tussle) who gave the perfect amount of attitude and sass we wanted for Amber.  

Now for the absolute cannon of talent we have starting off is Devon Duffy (Penny Pingleton) who definitely was a “checkerboard chick”  all of her choices were incredible making us laugh every time.  The reason Penny is a “checkerboard chick” is because of the talented Elliott Newman (Seaweed J. Stubbs) and I would have been too if I played Penny.  We also have to mention Corny’s pretty boy Alex Manzo (Link Larkin).  He portrayed Link so well to the point where I genuinely thought that the show was real life.  Lastly we have the Turnblad’s. First, I want to mention is Ken Locicero (Wilbur Turnblad); all I have to say about his character is "yes". He played Wilbur perfectly. I was laughing at every single scene he was in and my favorite song in the show was “Your Timeless to Me” because of how perfect he and John portrayed their characters.  Speaking of that song, the stunning and talented John Rattacasa (Edna Turnblad/Wigs & Makeup Designer) stole the stage the entire show with every song, scene, and dance.  I have to mention him in the finale with the dress he wore because it gave such Gypsy vibes and it was amazing and perfect. Lastly, we have to mention our main character Maya Raquel Smith (Tracy Turnblad) who from the opening words of the show knew was going to kill it every single time and she most definitely did.  I think that Maya was so good at this role I thought she could be on Broadway.  

Thank you to everyone at the Levoy Theatre for having me. This show was absolutely amazing and I definitely want to see it again.  Hairspray still has one more weekend of shows Thursday, August 14th @ 7pm, Friday, August 15th @ 7pm, Saturday August 16th @ 2pm, and Sunday August 17th @ 3pm.  If you get the chance please go support the arts! https://broadway.levoy.net/hairspray/