THEATER: 'Hairspray' returns viewer to golden age

By Paul Lane<br><a href="mailto:lanep@gnnewspaper.com">E-mail Paul</a>

April 09, 2008 01:37 pm

— The 1960s refuse to die.
The 1988 film “Hairspray,” the musical comedy set in 1960s Baltimore, inspired a Broadway musical that romped the 2003 Tony Awards. That, in turn, spawned a film adaptation in 2007.
Not wanting the rest of the country to miss out, producers have taken stage versions to Las Vegas, Toronto, London and South Africa. A touring version that’s also circled the country is set to touch down in Buffalo this weekend.
What’s kept an intentionally campy film going for so long?
“Everyone loves an underdog story,” said Donell Foreman, one of the stars of the touring show. “Everyone can relate to someone who has to overcome things to get what they want.”
That someone is Tracy Tumblad, a “pleasantly plump” teenager who dreams of dancing on the local dancing program “The Corny Collins Show.” Helping her do that is Seaweed Stubbs, a hip dancer who shows Tumblad some moves meant to impress.
Foreman, who plays Stubbs, said fans of either movie will get a different experience with the stage show.
“On stage, it’s more personal. You follow more directly with Tracy the whole time. She never leaves the stage,” he said during a recent phone conversation from a tour stop in Worcester, Mass. “This is a very high-energy, in-you-face musical.”
“Hairspray” was important enough to Foreman for the 20-year-old to take a leave of absence from Pace University, where he’s a sophomore in pursuit of a musical theater degree. The Albany native has performed since age 12 and wanted to do “Hairspray” since seeing the Broadway version in fall 2002.
Foreman joined the tour in February and said he’s performed to sold-out crowds in most of the cities he’s been to so far.
“It’s been great. I love the show, and it’s such a fun show to do every day,” he said. “It’s just so much fun to do a show that’s fun but also has a message.”
That message of tolerance combines with humor to make for a night of theater that should appeal to audiences for years to come, Foreman said.
“Because it’s live, I think it hits you in a different way than a movie does,” he said. “It’s really hard not to get a good reaction with this show.”
Contact editor Paul Laneat 693-1000, ext. 116.

IF YOU GO
• WHAT: Performances of “Hairspray”
• WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday
• WHERE: Shea’s Performing Arts Center, 646 Main St., Buffalo
• MORE INFORMATION: Call 852-5000

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