Review: HAIRSPRAY at Papillion-LaVista Community Theatre is Big Fun

What could be more fitting for Papillion, a small Nebraska town that garnered Money magazines's number two pick for "Best Places to Live" in 2015 than to put on a musical that earned eight Tony Awards? One of the reasons cited for Papillion's pick was its SumTur Amphitheater, the site for this summer's musical, HAIRSPRAY.

Written for stage by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, HAIRSPRAY is built on John Water's film of 1988. The story follows the struggles of cheerfully plump Tracy Turnblad (Jessie Kellerman) and her sidekick, Penny Pingleton (Molly Davis), as they infiltrate and integrate The Corny Collins Show. Based on a real show in 1960's Baltimore called "The Buddy Deane Show," emcee Corny Collins (Jay Srygley) directs cool teens dancing to hot hits. The TV show is whites only with the exception of "Negro Day." Tracy wants every day to be "Negro Day," and she won't let insults or the police stop the beat.

Penny and Tracy's inventor dad Wilbur (Kevin Olsen) wholeheartedly support her desire to be a dancer on the show, but supersized mom Edna (Erik Quam) has her reservations. They won't put girls her size on TV. Apparently, Amber Von Tussle (Megan Morrissey) and her producer mother Velma (Julie Enerson) agree that Tracy is not a good fit, referring to her as a "Beehive Buffalo."

Tracy's independence -her hair is teased too high- gets her sent to detention where she adopts the 'Peyton Place After Midnight' smooth moves of Seaweed (Joseph Wright). This wins her a place on the show and a chance to compete for Miss Teenage Hairspray.

Director Jim McCain may have drawn on his experience performing the role of Edna in Omaha Community Playhouse's run of HAIRSPRAY in 2012. He guides a large diverse cast of both veteran actors and newbies. Casting choices are good, particularly in the case of Edna, Corny, Velma and Tracy. They capture the look, the attitude, and the personality of these main characters.

Jay Srygley is a natural entertainer. His past experience on cruise ships and at other entertainment venues has made him extremely comfortable in front of large audiences. Plus, he can really sing, which is why he leads worship at a local church as his primary occupation.

Erik Quam is a likable Edna. He plays the part with just the right touch of toughness and tenderness. He and McCain share a talent for portraying this female role with honesty and skill. In the "You're Timeless to Me" duet with Edna's husband, Wilbur, Quam and Olsen are comical, loving, and totally deserving of the audience's outburst of applause. Some pieces of the script here and elsewhere are not exactly "kid friendly," but maybe they will miss the risqué references.

Jessie Kellerman IS Tracy with innocent charm combined with enthusiasm and goodness. She captures the "Brains... Talent... Personality..." of Ample American Turnblad.

Julie Enerson nails manipulative, calculating, emasculating Velma. Think Ursula of THE LITTLE MERMAID. Her powerful voice with an edge rocks "Velma's Revenge."

Ryan Savage's killer smile depicts Link Larkin's charisma perfectly. Savage has a way of catching the spotlight.

Humor plays a large part in the show. Prudy Pingleton (Mary Kay Desjardins) ties her daughter to the bed. Ginormous wigs demonstrate the holding power of the hairspray. Nylon stockings hit just above the ankles. Edna mourns the day she wandered past the boundaries of the largest McCalls patterns.

Funny aside, HAIRSPRAY's calling card is the music. Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (lyrics) collaborated to create some of the more memorable show tunes of the decade. Peter Klemp directs a fine orchestra with the addition of four pit vocalists (Mark Thornburg, Lauren Anderson, Brandon Fisher, and Carrie Beth Stickrod), something I'd never seen before. The ensemble numbers are harmonious and pleasing with marvelous choreography by Michelle Garrity. These kids are having fun, so we can't help it.

There is more to HAIRSPRAY than sheer entertainment. All the singing and dancing is just the icing on the underlying messages of racial integration and inclusion. There are sentimental moments, such as Wilbur's declaration to his wife, "You are the love of my life." There is a spiritually uplifting moment where Almeda Giles soars with the whopper solo of the evening, "I Know Where I've Been."

I know where I've been. I've been welcomed to the 60s with some of the nicest kids in town.

Tip: Bring bug spray to HAIRSPRAY. The show runs again July 19-21.

Photo Credit: Marquise Howard