Hairspray - CM Performing Arts Center | 7.11.26

CM Performing Arts Center is currently producing the Broadway hit musical “Hairspray” from July 11 to August 9th and what a delight it is! “Hairspray” has always been one of my favorite musicals and I’m pleased to say this was one of my favorite productions of it. It takes place in Baltimore in the 1960’s and tells the story of Tracy Turnblad - a warm, differently shaped, fun-loving girl who aspires to be on The Corny Collins Show to dance, sing and eventually assist the movement to integrate white and black performers on TV. It is a hilarious, timeless, and important story to tell as the underlying message of equality and body positivity is never stale.

Taking on the role of Tracy is Shea McMahon who plays this role spectacularly. Tracy is bright and upbeat and McMahon is the perfect fit. Tracy is the kind of character you need to be endeared towards and McMahon accomplished that right away with the opening number “Good Morning Baltimore” - but not only that - McMahon’s big voice and flawless dancing completes the package. Tracy’s dream to dance is received with mixed responses; her best friend Penny (played by Sarah Minto) is all for it, but her mother Edna (played by Ryan Nolin) is hesitant. Edna feels that the only reason larger girls are put on stage is to be made fun of, but Tracy rejects this notion and charges on. Edna is intended to be played in drag and Nolin’s casting was a no-brainer. He effectively captured the nurturing side of Edna while also bringing each comedic line to new heights.

But, really. I’ve been *IN* this show before and knew what was going to be said and I still laughed like this was my first time!

Shea McMahon, Ryan Nolin.

Photo Credit: Janette Pellegrini

Nolin’s comedic timing has always been top notch and we see it time and time again in this production. Minto as Penny was nothing short of adorable. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing her perform for over 10 years and she continues to get better and better with each project. She was charming and hilarious with a fantastic character voice to boot! Rounding out the “supportive Tracy camp” - 

… As I’ll be calling it …

- is her father Wilbur, played by CM veteran Don Dowdell. Wilbur is lighthearted and jovial and supports Tracy’s dreams from the start. Dowdell portrayed that love and support wonderfully. Additionally, the chemistry between him and Nolin was undeniable! They were cutest in Act 2’s “Timeless” where Wilbur and Edna’s love for each other was prominent.

There’s *so* much going on in this show, though.

On The Corny Collins Show, there’s a whole different set of characters. Supporting Corny on the show is his own merry group of singers and dancers who call themselves The Nicest Kids in Town.

No, really - there’s a whole song about this, thank you very much. I didn’t just make it up.

Corny Collins is played by Peter Rudilosso and he does so nicely. (Pun slightly intended this time.) Corny’s two performing stars are Link Larkin (played by Scott Wysocki) and his girlfriend Amber Von Tussle (played by Olivia Schneider) and as talented as she might be…she definitely isn’t one of the nicest kids. I loooooooved Schneider though! She was the perfect mean girl and knocked one of my favorite songs - “Cooties” - right out of the park. You couldn’t wipe the smile off my face! It doesn’t take long to see where Amber’s entitled spirit came from after you meet her mother Velma, who works as a producer on The Show. Velma is pretty rude but wildly entertaining and Christina D’Orta Muens played it up well. D’Orta Muens is no stranger to the CM stage and she embodied this character to the fullest. She was most impressive during Act 1’s “(The Legend of) Miss Baltimore Crabs,” nailing the note at the end. 

Thankfully, Link Larkin is a totally different story. He has a gentle heart -

And as I’m writing this I can’t help but wonder how a nice guy like Link ended up with an Amber…but I digress.

- that is backed by massive talent - which is perfect for Wysocki. He sounds fantastic throughout the show, but Act 1’s “It Takes Two” might be where he shines the brightest. Really well done!

Malika Batchie-Lockhart, Andrew J. Culbreath.

Photo Credit: Janette Pellegrini

on the other side of the tracks is where we meet Motormouth Maybelle. Motormouth is a local DJ who owns a record shop, but also is the featured entertainer for Negro Day on The Corny Collins Show. Playing her is Malika Batchie-Lockhart and what a treat she is! First off, the character of Motormouth is *so* fun as all of her lines rhyme but she also has wonderful monologues that help inspire the cause for integration and equality and is eerily appropriate even for today. Batchie-Lockhart captured that sentiment nicely. One of the biggest songs in the show is “I Know Where I’ve Been” and she gives it the respect it deserves. It doesn’t matter how many times I have heard (or sung) this song - it always brings a tear to my eyes and Batchie-Lockhart’s rendition did the same. The lyrical content alone is always timely and the emotion she placed in the song takes it to another level.

Motormouth is also a mom! She’s got two children - Seaweed J. Stubbs (played by Andrew J. Culbreath) and Little Inez (played by Emilee Assad) - and they are just as talented as their mother! Culbreath featured super slick vocals on “Run and Tell That!” and Assad lent her voice to it as well while dancing her heart out. I dare you not to smile during this number! The Dynamites are also a prominent force in the show, modeling the style of The Supremes. In this production they are played by Zoe Mancuso, Charity Nwadike, and Savannah Shaw. I don’t have a single note! These three knew exactly what they were there to do and executed flawlessly - and gorgeous too!

Taking a step back and looking at the creative team, I continue to be impressed. For this show, we have a new Set Designer in David McQuillen Robertson and delivered a design that utilizes all of the space that CM is so fortunate to have and maintains the level of quality we expect from the organization. Samantha Free returns as Music Director and truly outdoes herself - the band sounded superb and the company sounded incredible even with the intense choreography!

Which brings me to Director and Choreographer Kevin Burns. My goodness me - I’ve been a consistent fan of Burns’ work but this might be my favorite of his to date. He understood what the story is supposed to be (which is no small feat because there are multiple stories being told in this show) and developed choreography that both worked for the cast and looked clean and crisp too. I was impressed with what I was seeing throughout the show, but once we got to “You Can’t Stop the Beat” I couldn’t believe what I was looking at! The dancing was precise and everyone looked happy and comfortable doing it. There were no weak links and that is as much to the credit of the cast as it is to the choreographer. I can’t wait to see what Burns does next. Once you couple this with the amazing costumes designed by Jojo Minasi and Keith Jones - you’ve got a bonafide hit on your hands!

All in all - this is another must see for CM Performing Arts Center. This show may take place in the 1960’s, but the message is still appropriate for today. If you are looking for a funny, feel-good time with a positive message - this one is for you. “Hairspray” is running at the theater from July 11th to August 9th and tickets can be purchased in person, by calling the box office, and via their website at www.cmpac.com - but I would strongly suggest purchasing in advance as tickets have been selling like chicken and waffles!

That will make more sense once you see the show.

Cast:

Tracy Turnblad - Shea McMahon

Corny Collins - Peter Rudilosso

Amber Von Tussle - Olivia Schneider

Brad - Connor Topper

Tammy - Stacy Kappel+

Fender - Gab Blouin

Brenda - Dori Ahlgrim

Sketch - Will Logan

Shelley - Lucy Carnese

IQ - Jake Cooney

Gilbert - Jeremy Cruz

Lou Ann - Julia Jackson

Link Larkin - Scott Wysocki

Prudy Pingleton - Rebecca Olivieri

Edna Turnblad - Ryan Nolin

Penny Pingleton - Sarah Minto

Velma Von Tussle - Christina D’Orta Muens

Harriman F. Spritzer - Paul Phillips, James O’Connor^

Wilbur Turnblad - Don Dowdell

Principal - Paul Phillips, James O’Connor^

Seaweed J. Stubbs - Andrew J. Culbreath

Lorraine - Charity Nwadike

The Dynamites - Zoe Mancuso, Charity Nwadike, Savannah Shaw

Mr. Pinky - Paul Phillips, James O’Connor^

Gym Teacher - Rebecca Olivieri

Little Inez - Emillee Assad

Motormouth Maybelle - Malika Batchie-Lockhart

Matron - Rebecca Olivieri

Guard - Paul Phillips, James O’Connor^

*Dance Captain

^Opening Night Performance

Creative Team:

Director & Choreographer - Kevin Burns

MUSIC DIRECTOR - Samantha Free

Stage Manager - Kaitlyn Otto

Asst. Stage Manager - Juliana Jagielo

SOUND Designer - Silvio Sweet

PROPS DESIGNER - Sean Cosgro

Scenic Designer - David McQuillen Robertson

LIGHTING DESIGNER - Kevin Purdy

Costume Designers - Jojo Minasi, Keith Jones

WIG Designers - Shea McMahon, Sarah Minto, Dori Ahlgrim

The Hairspray Band:

Conducted by Samantha Free

Keys - Kim Gabriele, Jim Lowe

Bass - Shiori Chozono

Drums - Mike Ayala, Crystal Crespo

Percussion - Mabel Burgos

Guitar - John Dericco, Ryan Levenberg

Reeds - Andrew Lenahan, Adam Resnik

Trumpet - Lee Dash, Dave Lugo, Colin Smith

Trombone - Laura Fallon

Violin - JJ Dumlao

Cello - Jennifer Flaum, Nicholas Saccone, Mara D’Amico