Hairspray Play Analysis
Segregation, intolerance, and prejudice are all tackled in Vincennes University’s fall musical Hairspray. While both celebrating and critiquing aspects of American culture in the 1960’s, the overall message is the beauty of acceptance and freedom. Despite a few minor weaknesses, likely due to limitations on time and resources, the play was very impressive and a definite success.
Generally, the acting was superb. However, Amber’s lines seemed tremendously loud and exaggerated compared to the rest of the cast, but that may have been necessary to some extent to make the audience dislike her. A little less embellishment in her inflection would have been just as effective. In the dodgeball scene when Amber is making snarky comments about Tracy, …show more content…
Fortunately, the placement of the scenery was not only pleasing to look at, it was an effective use of the limited space. The rollaway sets like the Corny Collins stage and Amber’s vanity were some great pieces that complemented the scenes, with good decorative detail and ease of function. Penny’s bedroom revealed that she’s religious but also trendy, a fan of Jesus Christ and Elvis. The Turnblad home was quaint, and the muted colors matched the 1960’s aesthetic. Mundane colors in Tracy and Penny’s homes were a stark contrast to the bright oranges and yellows in Maybelle’s record store, which may have been a nod to the differences in culture between the two …show more content…
Blocking for “I Know Where I’ve Been” was remarkably powerful. The way the characters were placed almost likened a barricade, creating a real sense of strength. The Corny Collins dancers were organized in a way that took advantage of the available space without crowding it, especially in their “Nicest Kids in Town” routine.
Choreography seemed pretty inconsistent for a play about dancers. While the choir in “Without Love” and Wilbur and Edna in “Timeless to Me” showed off some pretty impressive moves, a few performances left something to be desired physically. “Mama, I’m a Big Girl Now” and “The Big Doll House” both seemed like wasted opportunities; the choreography became repetitive and monotonous in those songs. In all fairness, it’s unreasonable to expect a flawless, complicated dance routine with every song, but those songs in particular needed a little something
Generally, the acting was superb. However, Amber’s lines seemed tremendously loud and exaggerated compared to the rest of the cast, but that may have been necessary to some extent to make the audience dislike her. A little less embellishment in her inflection would have been just as effective. In the dodgeball scene when Amber is making snarky comments about Tracy, …show more content…
Fortunately, the placement of the scenery was not only pleasing to look at, it was an effective use of the limited space. The rollaway sets like the Corny Collins stage and Amber’s vanity were some great pieces that complemented the scenes, with good decorative detail and ease of function. Penny’s bedroom revealed that she’s religious but also trendy, a fan of Jesus Christ and Elvis. The Turnblad home was quaint, and the muted colors matched the 1960’s aesthetic. Mundane colors in Tracy and Penny’s homes were a stark contrast to the bright oranges and yellows in Maybelle’s record store, which may have been a nod to the differences in culture between the two …show more content…
Blocking for “I Know Where I’ve Been” was remarkably powerful. The way the characters were placed almost likened a barricade, creating a real sense of strength. The Corny Collins dancers were organized in a way that took advantage of the available space without crowding it, especially in their “Nicest Kids in Town” routine.
Choreography seemed pretty inconsistent for a play about dancers. While the choir in “Without Love” and Wilbur and Edna in “Timeless to Me” showed off some pretty impressive moves, a few performances left something to be desired physically. “Mama, I’m a Big Girl Now” and “The Big Doll House” both seemed like wasted opportunities; the choreography became repetitive and monotonous in those songs. In all fairness, it’s unreasonable to expect a flawless, complicated dance routine with every song, but those songs in particular needed a little something