Hairspray

Overview

Hairspray is one of those timeless classics that has been recreated and recreated, without ever becoming tired or overdone. The original 1988 comedy film written by John Waters takes place in 1962 Baltimore and follows struggling teen Tracy Turnblad through her pursuit for stardom as a local reality show dancer. Although the script is shallow on the surface, briefly touching on each of the musical genre bases, including a love interest, coming-of-age plot, and a hearty dose of high school angst, there are some pressing issues lurking beneath the trivial, happy-go-lucky story that make the script one that isn't easy to forget.

The North Shore Music Theatre is turning 50 and to celebrate they’re bringing Tracy and her impressively hive-like hair to life once again. The cast is looking top notch, with Motormouth Maybelle, who you may best associate with Queen Latifah from the 2008 film remake, is being played by Lavina Williams, who is best known for her role as Shenzi the evil hyena in the world-travelled Lion King. But if you’re an embarrassingly avid reality show addict then you may know her from season four of Australian Idol where she came eighth and absolutely killed Alicia Keys’ ‘If I Ain’t Got You.’  The show also stars Heather Wilcox as Tracy, Russell Dixon in drag as Edna Turnblad (Tracy’s overbearing, overprotective, overweight mother) and David Atkins of The Producers, Blood Brothers and Miss Saigon as Wilbur, Tracy’s father.