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| the cast photo by Ashley Rhoads |
Click here for more information on this production that runs through November 5th.
"Desert Stages Theatre recently opened their brand new space in the Scottsdale Fashion Square and, with stadium seating, a gorgeous lobby, and other new and upgraded improvements over their old space, the theatrical experience it offers an audience is top notch. Unfortunately, their production of Hairspray, their first adult musical in the new space, doesn't equal the beautiful new digs as it is only a pedestrian affair, with an uneven cast, unfocused direction, and mostly unimaginative creative aspects....Hairspray is a colorful, bright and breezy upbeat musical, but DST's production is mostly flat with a bare-bones set that is incredibly dark. ...While some of the cast does fairly well with the vocal demands and comic requirements of the piece, others struggle to hit the high notes, overact somewhat, or fail to deliver even an average performance. There are also sound issues ...The lighting is also problematic...Even the ending, which should be incredibly upbeat and bright, finds practically half of the cast in the shadows. The uneven performances and subpar creative elements result in a production without a clear focus. Fortunately, there are a few good elements to be enjoyed. McKenna Spanko is rambunctious and spunky as Tracy. As Edna, Matthew R. Harris is powerful and poignant. He and Geoffrey Goorin, as Edna's husband Wilbur, deliver a fun and heartwarming "Timeless to Me." As Tracy's friend Penny, Quincy Janisse is excellent with perfect comic timing. As Motormouth Maybelle, Iesha Renee Mills delivers a moving "I Know Where I've Been" while Ava Diane Tyson, as Amber, has the right condescending line delivery and nice vocal chops, and Rob Dominguez, as Corny, instills plenty of charm and a line delivery that shows he's much smarter than he looks. The young ensemble is energetic and most do well with the fun choreography by Kim Rodriguez. Mickey Courtney's costumes are colorful and evoke the time period of the piece. ...Hairspray is not only a great musical but a touching social commentary on race, anti-bullying, and how, as the musical states a couple of times, you've got to "think big to be big." DST needs to take the show's message to heart as, with such a beautiful space, and since it's such a great show, it's a shame that I found just about every aspect of this production completely lackluster and without focus.. " -Gil Benbrook, Talkin' Broadway (click here to read the complete review)
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