By Venisa Wallace, Staff Writer
Segregation, love and cross-dressing, sounds like Hairspray. The popular musical Hairspray made it to Saint Leo University and premiered on November 4, 2010 at the Marmion Center. Hairspray the movie, made it to theaters in 2007 with a star-studded cast including John Travolta who played Edna Turnblad, mother to protagonist Tracy Turnblad, Queen Latifah who played Motormouth Maybelle, and Amanda Bynes who played Penny Pingleton. However, according to The International Broadway Database, Hairspray the Broadway musical opened on August 15, 2002, and has won eight Tony Awards. With such acclamation, the Saint Leo University cast of Hairspray had quite big shoes to fill.
Opening night of the Saint Leo University rendition of the Broadway musical Hairspray was a hit and they experienced a full house. Families and friends came in great numbers to support the actors and to enjoy a night filled with music and dancing. For those who are not familiar with Hairspray the musical, the play follows the aspirations of a festively plump teenage girl, Tracy Turnblad. Tracy, played by SLU student Natasha Hojati and her friend Penny Pingleton, played by SLU student Leah Hollingsworth are obsessed with the Corny Collins Show. One afternoon the girls find out that Corny Collins, played by Tim Hollis, will be holding an audition for a new dancer to be on the show. Tracy is excited and decides to audition despite her mother Edna’s, played by Mike Gincel, protest. At the audition Tracy is rejected by Velma Von Tussle, producer of the Corny Collins show, because of her size. Velma Von Tussle, played by student Nicole Natoli, is mother to Amber Von Tussle, student Caryn Guth, and provides the foil to Tracy and Edna Turnblad. Unlike the voluptuous, down to Earth Turnblad ladies, the Von Tussle’s are skinny, racist, socialites. Tracy, however, gets her chance to be in the Corny Collins’ show after Corny DJs at her school dance and is impressed by her dance moves. Tracy becomes a part of her favorite show and speaks on national television against segregation on the show and in her community. Thus begins Tracy’s attempt to end segregation in her community and on the Corny Collins’ show. With help from Penny and Seaweed, played by student Dominic Hughes, her parents and other enthralling characters, Tracy strives to achieve her goals and win the heart of starlet Link Larkin, played by student Tyler Matos, who was once Amber Von Tussle’s suitor.
Not only is Hairspray an entertaining play, but it also provides important lessons. The themes embedded in Hairspray are that of equality, unity, determination, and love. Tracy Turnblad represented change and her undaunted determination is to be emulated, it teaches us that despite various obstacles, we strive to accomplish our dreams or goals. Despite the group of influential people who did not support her cause and her dreams, Tracy never lost faith in herself. The play also highlighted the nonsensical concept of segregation and showed that love has no bounds whether it is classist or racist boundaries. Moreover, Hairspray speaks about self-esteem and self love; if Tracy did not love herself she might have become depressed at how Velma and Amber Von Tussle treated her. Instead, Tracy loved herself despite the criticisms, and taught her mother Edna how to have self-confidence.
The premier of Hairspray at The Marmion Center was exceptional; both actors and audience were very pleased with the performance.
“The performance was exceptional. I loved the music. There were some technical difficulties though because the microphones were too low,” said freshman Sheilla Luma.
Another student of Saint Leo University, popularly known as D.J., stated that Seaweed was his favorite character because Seaweed reminded him of himself. D.J also said that he would rate the play eight out of ten. The cast also expressed their excitement about the opening of the play and their experience intaking part in the production. Leah Hollingsworth, who played Penny Pingleton, said that she loves musicals and that Hairspray was the biggest production she has been a part of to date. She also said that preparing for the play took a lot of time, but it was worth it. Another cast member who expressed her feelings towards the production was Michelle Garcia. Michelle said that being a part of the production of Hairspray allowed her to meet new friends. She also said that being a part of the musical required patience and that it was wonderful to see the production come together beautifully.
Families came out in large numbers to support their loved ones who performed. One family that came to show their support was the Natoli family. Nicole Natoli played Velma Von Tussle in the musical. Nicole’s grandmother, dad, and aunt were at the opening night, and her mother would make it for the second night. The Natolis were very proud of Nicole.
“She puts everything in her performances,” said Mr. Natoli.
Nicole’s grandmother and aunt requested printed messages for Nicole to be put in the Hairspray program. Mrs. Jan Natoli, Nicole’s grandmother commented that she inspired Nicole to do her “mean face.” Nicole also expressed her views on the production and the part she played as Velma Von Tussle.
“It is a fantastic part, and I have never played such a part before,” said Nicole. Although there were technical difficulties, the opening night of Hairspray at Saint Leo University was deemed a success by audience and cast. The band, cast, and production crew did a phenomenal job. There were Hairspray t-shirts being sold at the end of the performance. These t-shirts serve as a souvenir, in remembrance of the SLU rendition of Hairspray.
