Hairspray, the Tony® Award winning musical based on the 1988 John Waters film of the same name is inherently an upbeat, fun show. The current production by the Ocean State Theatre Company at the historic Theatre By The Sea in Matunuck is no exception, but it is exceptional. This show is a must see for theater lovers.

For those of you who have been following Patch, you know that we have been privy to the interior workings of this show from the cast “meet and greet” on July 5^th through to opening night on July 22^nd. The difference between watching rehearsals on the second floor of an old warehouse on Woodruff Ave., accompanied by a single piano player (although it was the musical director Frederick Willard) to seeing these same actors on stage, in makeup and costume with a full band and lighting is like watching your High School age son playing baseball, recognizing he has talent to waking up a week later to him knocking it out of the park in the Major Leagues. The transformation is expected and hoped for but still amazing.

Director Russell Garrett succeeds in pulling out the best of the characters. Garrett told the actors at the first rehearsal that although the show touches on issues of racism, weight and beauty, and other heavy topics albeit with a light touch “I want to make sure those things are not ignored” he implored, I want them brought forward.” Most of the actors were born well after the the time period in which the musical is based but with Garrett's direction by opening night they were there. Garrett also serves as the choreographer for this show in a rare double role.

Artistic Director Amiee Turner and Managing Producer Joel Kipper have put together a winning cast with a heavy dose of local actors representing important roles. From hearing them on a cold sing at the very first rehearsal, I knew this cast would rock the old barn and on opening night they did not disappoint. Despite the oppressive heat on Friday, the cast kept their cool and kept the energy high during the show which is heavy on very energetic dancing and singing.

Hairspray is set in 1962 Baltimore and tells the tale of Tracy Turnblad, a plump young lady who longs to fit in and frequently is sent to detention because of her over teased hair. The show revolves around the Corny Collins show (think American Bandstand), a local favorite that hosts a once a month “Negro Day.” Tracy wants to win a spot on the show as a dancer but ultimately wants everyone to be able to dance together. The show chronicles her struggles of acceptance because of her weight and the “standard” of beauty and her struggle to help others (minorities) to be accepted.

It is ultimately a tale of changing times, fear, freedom and acceptance. It is a feel good story that touches on tough subjects but doesn't delve too deep. The skewering of certain characters, especially the bigoted ones (either race or beauty or weight) does hopefully make the audience think not just laugh.

The set by Bert Scott, head of the Design Department at the University of Central Florida, works well within the limitations of the Theatre By the Sea's stage. The turquoise/pink/orange/brown color theme and the pop art work well with the costumes designed by Marcia Zammarelli from Rhode Island College. Her costumes are heavy on geometric shapes that feed off the colors of the set.

This cast, top to bottom is first rate and entirely enjoyable. Tracy is played by Erin McCracken, a 2007 graduate of Oklahoma City University. She is an endearing Tracy, full of spirit but also a little doubt. She has to carry this show and is a strong singer and dancer and she has worked steadily in NYC and in regional touring companies since gradutaing.

Her parents, Edna and Wilbur Turnblad are played by Rhode Island actors Tom Gleadow and Sean McGuirk. Gleadow was most recently seen as the Don in Arlene Violet's first musical “The Family”. He is a regular at the Gamm Theater and appeared as Fezziwig in a “Christmas Carol” at Trinity Rep. He makes Edna a character that deep down knows she is still full of life with a lot to offer but is resigned to her housewife and life of taking in other's laundry.

McGuirk, who first appeared in Matunuck in 1978 in Shenadoah, has appeared on big screen in The Departed and Amistad as well as the small screen in Matlock and Ryan's Hope among others. His Wilbur is gentle and kind and he supports his wife and daughter no matter what.

South Kingstown resident Alexa Shanahan has a key role as Tracy's best friend Penny Lou Pingleton. A Prout graduate, she will be entering her sophmore year at Rider University this fall. She gets Penny's dumb as a rock before character down and transitions nicely but I would like to see her a little more risque in the after part of the role.Rebecca Gibel of Providence inhabits Velma Von Tussle and gets every sneer and put down just right.

Other actors with local ties are Stacey Geer of Attleboro, MA, who play the “female authority figure” a grouping of three characters – Penny's mother, the gym teacher and the jail matron – and brings great comic timing and acting to all and Jimmy Larkin of Natick, MA, who just graduated from Natick High School in June. He is Sketch, one of the nicest kids in town on the Corny Collins Show, and has a great stage presence and a bright future ahead of him in theater.

Musical Director Frederick Willard had cautioned during one interview that the harmonies were tight and had to be very clean and conform to the sound at the time. He got this cast on board. There was not a misstep in either the music or the voices on opening night. As for dancing, this cast had everything thrown at them from twist and pony to line dancing and the dirty boogie. Even on a cool night or in an air conditioned theater this show's dancing would be impressive but in extreme heat in a summer stock barn it was astounding.

Among all the great songs in the score there are two show stoppers for sure. The first is “You're Timeless To Me”, which starts as Wilbur's reassurance to Edna that she still matters and still has time to make her mark. The song and dance routine is the greatest comedy spot of the show and is hysterical and poignant at the same time. Gleadow handles this scene expertly, giving Edna just he right amount of surprise and sass. The other is “I Know Where I've Been” by Motormouth Maybelle. Yvette Monique Clark has a voice that does not need a microphone but her control both acting and singing on this song brings the audience to a point that you could hear a pin drop.

My criticisms are minor and may have already been resolved. During opening night the lighting techs seemed to have trouble placing the spotlights on time on the singers during the jail scene and the sound effects during the same scene were just a half beat off. The makeup on three characters seemed especially garish, approaching clownish. I was put off by the makeup on Penny, Velma Von Tussle and Motormouth Maybelle. I found it distracting. That said, other seats in the house may not have had the same thought.

This show left me wanting to see it again and again. I will definitely go again during its run. You will walk out of the Theatre on an up note and be singing the songs for days after. The standing ovation on opening night just cements my opinion. Now 'run and tell that.'