Munopco’s production of the hit Broadway musical “Hairspray” fills the stage with dancing and color making for a fun, funny and thoroughly entertaining show.
Director Susan McDermott makes sure the large cast of 60 takes full advantage of all the space in the Scottish Rite Cathedral. Things are constantly in motion as the exuberant cast spills down the steps and into the aisles.
Alexandria Austin is engaging as Tracy Turnblad, the plump teen who dreams of being on the Corny Collins Show. Her voice has a sweet quality that stands up to the demands of songs like “Good Morning Baltimore” and “Welcome to the Sixties.” And her eye-catching two-tone “do” is worth a mention on it’s own.
Shannon Cornish does a great job as Tracy’s mousy best friend Penny Pingleton. She’s hilariously clutzy and awkward until the end when the ugly duckling becomes a sexy swan to be reckoned with.
As her unexpected beau Seaweed, Tyree Scott is an amazing dancer with legs that seem like elastic at times.
Deliciously bad as the conniving Velma Von Tussle is Beth Linzer, and her “Baltimore Crabs” is powerfully sung. Lexi Rastelli makes Velma’s chip off the block daughter and presumptive teen queen Amber Von Tussle snooty and self-absorbed.
Christine Dunbar is wacky and a little intimidating as Penny’s controlling and slightly unhinged mom.
One highlight of the show is “Mama, I’m a Big Girl Now,” in which the three teen girls harmonize as they argue musically with their respective mothers.
Playing the purposely bland council on Corny Collins show and wearing pasted-on perpetual grins are Stephanie Appel, Abby Garza, Andrew Mark, Josiah Behrens, Richard Negron, Elaina Bastow, Thomas Kennebeck and Jessica Mulligan. Colin Walsh as Corney Collins is appropriately cheesy.
Liam Mulligan imakes an appealing Link Larkin who came into his own in the second act on “Without Love.”
Richard Warmkessel steals every scene as Tracy’s mother Edna Turnblad. While the cross-dressing role is visually very funny, Warmkessel also brings an unexpected wistfulness to the character. In “Timeless To Me” Warmkessel and Robert Adams as Edna’s jokey but doting husband Wilbur, are adorable and amusing.
Florence Taylor has the big voice and stage presence to play Motormouth Maybelle, and Nasheera Brown is effective and strong-voiced as Lil Inez.
Adding a musical and visual punch to the proceedings are Ali Santos, Deborah D’Haiti, and Krystle Tate as the Dynamites, a Supremes-like group who are omnipresent in a number of matching and eye-catching frocks.
The show has a simple but effective set that features a playful cartoony look and is awash in bold and bright colors.
Of special note are the outstanding costumes that really give the whole show the perfect Pop 60s vibe.
"Hairspray,” 8 p.m. June 29-30 and 2 p.m. July 1. Scottish Rite Cathedral, 1533 Hamilton Street, Allentown. Tickets: $25 adult; $22 senior, $15 student. Info: www.munopco.org/tickets, 610-437-2441.