Tag: Harvey Fierstein

Can you believe that it took until this afternoon for me to see Hairspray for the first time? I’d seen the original 1988 film, listened to the original cast album and just a few weeks ago caught the finale of the musical film at the Virgin Megastore with Roxie (where we made our initial plans to see this). With the return of Tony winning originals Harvey Fierstein and Marissa Jaret Winokur, it became our mission to see this particular show that for whatever reasons fell by the wayside.

The show is a gem from start to finish, quite possibly the strongest of the contemporary musical comedies that have been coming around this decade (and especially one where the script and score are equals; witty, playful and most importantly, funny). Fierstein is a giving a diva turn for the ages, taking on the challenges of playing a middle-aged woman with great success. If you’ve seen the performance, you know what I’m talking about. If you haven’t, believe when I say that he exceeds the hype. Winokur, in spite of the fact she’s turning 36 in a few weeks, is as youthful as ever and has exudes great charm as Tracy.

I also can’t recall a late-run cast that was as polished and focused as this final Hairspray company. The actors were alive and not just going through motions as you can (and I have) witnessed at other long-running hits. Bravo to the director (Jack O’Brien), the choreographer (Jerry Mitchell, whose stage work far surpasses what is seen in the film) and the stage manager for giving NY audiences a show as vibrant and fresh at the end of it’s run as it was at the beginning. It’s sad that this show, which I think should have a couple more years left in its run, is closing tomorrow. Or perhaps I’m more sad that I can’t go back to the Neil Simon to enjoy it again. In spite of the end of the NY run, the beat goes on in London, on tour and will continue in the future when this becomes a mainstay of educational theatre.