Link Larkin, played by Gabe Nudi, Tracy Turnblad, played by Brielle Midler, Seaweed J. Stubbs, played by Stephan Tatum, and Penny Pingleton, played by Bailee Gull in “Hairspray.”
When it comes to happiness, bigger is better. With its big hair, big dreams and big heart, “Hairspray” shakes up 1960s Baltimore with a musical celebration of change that gives segregation a makeover and shows audiences that every day is a chance to shine.
Now through May 25, The Florida Rep Theatre Conservatory Program presents the eight-time Tony Award-winning musical “Hairspray” featuring a cast of local student performers between the ages of 14 and 22. Directed by Florida Repertory Theatre Education Director Monique Caldwell, with choreography by Megan Leonard and music direction by Rosalind Metcalf, this production showcases the musical prowess of talented teen thespians and is sure to impress theatregoers.
The year is 1962 and bubbly, plus-size teenager Tracy Turnblad is consumed with the dream of dancing on her favorite TV dance program, “The Corny Collins Show.” When her dream comes true, she steals hearts and transforms herself from a social outcast to a popular advocate for inclusion and acceptance. As the plot unfolds, audiences are introduced to an eclectic cast of characters, including Tracy’s mother, who hasn’t left the house in ages, her doting father, a teenage heartthrob love interest, and an antagonistic, snobby mother and daughter set on stealing Tracy’s thunder.
Link Larkin, played by Gabe Nudi, Tracy Turnblad, played by Brielle Midler, Motormouth Mabelle played by Maliyah Mattis, Seaweed J. Stubbs, played by Stephan Tatum, and Penny Pingleton, played by Bailee Gull, dancing on the set of “Hairspray.” COURTESY PHOTO
“Hairspray” was written by Thomas Meehan and Mark O’Donnell with music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics Shaiman and Scott Wittman. The musical is based on the 1988 film of the same name written and directed by John Waters and manages to shine hope and joy—and rock some serious dance moves — amid the social injustices of racism and prejudice of the early civil rights movement.
“It has been a true joy for me as a director to be able to do a show that is just not fluff,” said Caldwell. “It has some fluff to it. It’s sort of like the medicine with a little sugar on it. This show is medicine for the soul. And when people come, they’re going to leave singing and dancing, but I think they’re also going to be thinking, too. That’s what theater should be about. Theater should be able to talk about stuff that you normally sort of feel uncomfortable talking about, but you get to talk about it in a very creative way. And that’s how you get to have your say. I’m glad we get to have our say doing the show.”
Tracy Turnblad, played by Brielle Midler and Penny Pingleton, played by Bailee Gull in “Hairspray.” COURTESY PHOTO
In a show as layered and vibrant as “Hairspray,” it’s a challenge to pick a favorite moment.
“Every time I direct another scene, it’s my favorite,” said Caldwell. “I will say right now my favorite is the one that we did yesterday. That scene left me in chills. In the beginning, they were all in their script trying to write their notes. I said, ‘No, no. Put that to the side, please. We’re just going to play. We just changed the whole environment. They were able to just be free. I said, ‘Okay, what dance move do you want to do? Okay, now add this to it, and they just took the notes in that direction.”
The cast of “Hairspray” pose for a group photo. COURTESY PHOTO
Florida Gulf Coast University theatre major Brielle Midler plays the effervescent Tracy Turnblad in the production.
“‘Hairspray’ has been like a dream show since I knew how to sing, and it is also really special to my mom and me,” said Midler. “It’s one of the shows she grew up doing. It’s like a dream come true. I love it. We did a photo shoot a couple weeks ago, and they put the wig on me for the first time and I literally almost started crying. The hair and costume and makeup people — they’re just so kind and so amazing. I got into costume, and it felt so real.”
For Midler, tackling the role of Tracy required her to put aside perfectionism and inhibitions to embrace her character’s unapologetic energy and her own inner confidence.
“I think what’s beautiful is that a lot of us can really resonate with certain parts of our characters. I feel like it (the show) was cast really specifically. For example, I’ve dealt with a lot of body shaming growing up, and I’ve had to overcome that with knowing that I may not look like the person next to me, but that doesn’t really matter.
“Definitely, a challenging part for me is just letting go and being okay with being big and being loud and passionate. I am a very loud and passionate person, but I’m also a big over thinker, so sometimes I’ll say a line and I’ll be like, ‘That was not how I wanted it to sound.’ Then for the whole rest of the scene I’ll be like, ‘I should have said that differently.’ I think I’ve definitely been letting go a lot more. I just need to know it’s okay to be big, it’s okay to be loud, and I want other people to know that, too,” she observed.
Fellow Florida Gulf Coast student Faith Angles portrays Tracy’s mother, Edna Turnblad, in the show. Angles has a theater background in stage management and is excited to join the cast of “Hairspray” onstage in this production.
“My favorite part about working with the show is getting to work with this incredible cast. It’s so crazy seeing this talented group of people and they know each other from all around,” Angles said.
Normally, the role of Edna is portrayed by a man in drag, but Caldwell chose Angles for the coveted role in the Florida Rep Theatre Conservatory Program’s production.
“The biggest challenge for me personally, is that Edna is typically played by a drag queen, a male, and vocally having to overcome that and working on this character and how she fits for me was a really big challenge to overcome and definitely a big mind block that I had to get over for a while,” she explained. “I was like, ‘No way — there’s no way I can do this.’ Working with Monique and working with Ms. Roz helped me climb over that. We’re still working even now, but we’re getting places with my character and it’s starting to become a lot of fun.”
“She has grown so much as an actress,” Caldwell commented in reference to Angles. “She shared with me some of her challenges because she’s always played teenagers and now she’s playing a middle aged mom and wife. This is a huge hurdle for her, but she’s knocked it out the ballpark, and I’m so proud.”
For FGCU student Stephan Tatum, who plays Seaweed J. Stubbs, the substance of the production and the earnestness of each cast member’s portrayal set this production apart.
“We’re not just playing these caricatures. We’re not just playing the big girl with tall hair. We’re not just playing the mother who stays at home 24/7. We have a story to tell. The music and the dance numbers just come alongside that. It’s a lot deeper than I think people have recognized. When you mention the musical ‘Hairspray,’ everyone’s like, ‘Oh, it’s so vibrant, it’s so colorful, it’s so beautiful.’ But you also miss the central theme that is that segregation and that push to just try and change the show the social norm from how bad it actually is.”
FGCU Entrepreneurship and Theater student Samantha Cueva portrays the matron for the women’s detention center. She is struck by the depth of musical talent and the message of equality embedded in the production.
“The people have been great. The music has really just been hitting so hard lately. We’re all theater students, and so a question that we end up asking in our classes a lot is ‘Why this play now?’ And I really think that this is one that’s very relevant. There are so many parallels to be held within current events, and I think that there is just a tremendous amount of power in sparking even a surface-level conversation about the discrimination and segregation that we’re portraying,” Cueva emphasized.
The music and choreography are integral to advancing the plot, setting the tone and conveying each character’s personality. Cueva relishes the personal challenges of mastering the steps and hitting the right notes.
“I’ve been having just a time and a half with the music,” she said. “I love working with harmonies, and I have a wide enough range that with most shows I’ll say, ‘What part do you need me on? I’ll sing that.’ And for the first time in about a year, I’ve been on Alto, which is very like working against what the brain wants to do, and I do deeply enjoy that process and just locking myself in a practice room for six hours, playing the same notes over and over and just learning this music. The cognitive exercise really does give me a thrill. Also, I haven’t tapped in about a year, so I have to relearn how to do a time step.”
“The dancing in this show has been so incredible. I can pick up choreo really fast, yet. Megan’s choreography — it’s all so dynamic, and everything that she does is so different,” added Midler. “There are a lot of moments where I don’t do the same move as everyone else. Megan gives me the freedom to be like, ‘You’re Tracy. Do whatever you want. You use those hips. You be loud and be big. It’s been a really amazing process figuring out like what feels good in my body and what will look good with everyone else.”
Through classes, internships and volunteer opportunities, Florida Rep’s Education Program aims to foster arts appreciation and inspire local thespians and provide exceptional theatre experiences to the local community. This summer, the educational program offers intensive theater summer camps that include “Disney’s Frozen, Jr.,” “Annie, Jr.,” “Wizard of Oz, Youth Edition” and “Peter Pan, Jr.,” plus coinciding Mini Stars Camps inspired by the same titles.
Florida Repertory Theatre Education Conservatory’s production of “Hairspray” not only educates participants in the craft of musical theatre, it also gives local youth a voice to explore topics of social relevance that are sure to delight audiences. ¦
In the KNOW
“Hairspray”
· When: May 16-25
· Where: Florida Rep Theatre Education Conservatory, Historic Arcade Theatre, 2268 Bay Street, Fort Myers
· Tickets: Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for students.
· Info: There will be a special “Lunchbox” matinee for school/student audiences on Thursday, May 22 at 10 a.m. www.floridarepeducation.org