Opera Glasses, Love, Racism, and Hairspray: A Review

Posted by | Posted on 1:12 AM

By Jeff Bridges

The musical Hairspray is set in June in the year 1962 in Baltimore, Maryland. The main character, Tracy, is an overweight young girl. The young girl dreams of becoming famous. If you do not have front row seats, you will want to bring your opera glasses so as not to miss a heartbeat of this fast-paced musical.

One day, our hero, is watching T.V. And finds out that That the Corny Collins Show is having a huge dance contest, excitedly Tracy tells her mother that she would like to enter the contest. Her mother, who is overweight like Tracy discourages the idea that Tracy has had. In reality, Tracy's mother, would like nothing more to protect her daughter, as she knows that people will make fun of her for being overweight. Additionally, her mother feels that the show is racist.

Tracy does make it to the audition with permission from her father, Wilbur. While she is auditioning she meets the popular hunk Link Larkin. Get ready to put on your opera glasses as you will want to catch Tracy's eyes light up just as yours may have back in high school. Tracy daydreams that she and Link Larkin will end up together one day. She sings absolutely beautiful songs about her love sick dream. Tracy is awakened from her sweet dream as she does not make the cut to be on the show due to her weight, just as her mother suspected would happen.

After the audition, Tracy returns to school down trodden, but as luck would have it, her troubles do not end just yet. Tracy is given detention simply due to the fact that her hair is just so big, her big hair causes such a problem, because those that sit behind her in class are not even able to see the chalkboard. For this reason, the musical Hairspray, is named Hairspray.

As Tracy sits in detention, she meets a black boy named Seaweed who offers to teach her some dance moves, Tracy picks him up on the offer and is taught some amazing moves. Tracy also finds out that there is a dance scheduled, which she attends with Seaweed. While attending, Tracy shows off some of the amazing moves that she has learned, but it is not just those from her school who are watching, but the owner of the T.V. show that is featuring the big dance contest, the owner happens to catch Tracy's moves and is impressed, he then invites her to be on the show. Remember to use your opera glasses at this point to see Tracy's face as her dreams come true.

Tracy gets more good news, Link Larkin is to sing a romantic song to her. Another character, Amber, who is the snobby pretty girl is quite upset. At school Amber does some mean things to Tracy which includes whacking her head with a volleyball and knocking Tracy out.

As we continue with the play, Tracy is invited to record shop that Seaweed's mother owns, all during the play, Tracy continues to grow close to Seaweed, and is upset to find out that the show that she is about to go on, only allows black people to attend their shows once a month, on "Negro Day" because of this Tracy finds herself fighting for black rights, and helping her best friend, the ending of Hairspray the musical is sure to please, but you will have to attend to find out.

Hairspray is a delight to attend, and a bigger delight to hear, it is no wonder it made such a run on Broadway, Remember to bring your opera glasses to catch every last expression, and the wonderful costumes. This is truly a performance to cherish.

About the Author:

Comments (0)