‘HAIRSPRAY’ Holds Together a Fantastic Show, Bubbling Over with Enthusiasm and Talent

Making its South Florida Regional Premiere is HAIRSPRAY featuring Actor’s Playhouse Artistic Director David Arisco as Edna Turnblad.

It’s the early ’60s, and Baltimore teen Tracy Turnblad has only one desire, to be on the popular “Corny Collins Show” and dance with dreamboat Link Larkin. When her dream comes true, she finds herself in the middle of an integration movement and risks it all for what is right.

Joline Mujica (Tracy Turnblad) is superb as the bubbly protagonist. She stays in tune and composed as she grooves onstage. Matthew Ragas (Link Larkin) is a perfect match for his better half – with his sweet, dreamy performance.

David Arisco as Edna Turnblad is quite an experience. His demeanor made for a believable, Baltimorean mother from the ’60s. His larger-than-life personality came through in musical numbers and times he interacted with Tracy and husband Wilbur.

Mother and daughter team of mean girls – Kim Cozort (Velma Von Tussle) and Celia Louise Merendi (Amber Von Tussle) was a true gas. They were mischievously funny as femme fatale, wannabe villains.

The musical numbers were made new again with performances like the one from Avery Summers’ MotorMouth Maybelle. Her part in the musical piece “I Know Where I’ve Been” was impeccable and resounding. It brought on the loudest applause from the audience.

This stage production is quality and professionalism at its best. The cast and crew really pulled out all the stops for this show – from props to costumes to scenery. It is Broadway on the Mile! Don’t miss it.

HAIRSPRAY
Running through November 13, 2011
Book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman, Based upon the New Line Cinema film written and directed by John Waters .

Actor’s Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre

Coral Gables, FL

Tickets: 305-444-9293 or http://www.actorsplayhouse.org/


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