In a show whose cast combines freshmen with faculty, “Hairspray” tackles issues from 1962 that promise to resonate with audience members today.

Tracy Turnblad, played by freshman musical theatre major Paige Matteson, wants nothing more in the world than to sing and dance, but society’s narrow perception of what defines beautiful gets in her way.

“Tracy’s challenge is that she doesn’t look like everyone else, and people judge her from that instead of her work and personality,” Matteson said. “Tracy is a girl who sees the light in everything. She doesn’t listen to society, and she believes in herself and everyone else around her.”

According to Matteson, she could relate to Tracy’s struggles because they mirror her own, even if they are in a different time period.

“I’m a chunky gal, and people judge me, especially in theatre and wanting to be singing and dancing even though I’m a short, chunky girl with no legs,” she said. “I also always try to be positive and see the good in things — I’m not as good at it as Tracy is, but I try!”

Besides body image, this show also tackles the issue of racism. 

Tony Weatherington, a sophomore musical theatre major, plays Seaweed, an African-American character who works with Tracy to combat the prejudices of the world of television in an effort to achieve an integrated broadcast.

 “I’ve never had to deal with any issues with interracial love interests because that’s always been accepted for me and where I come from," he said. "But he’s also an African-American guy who’s going to school, and falling in love .... He’s just so close to me, but at the same time so far.”

The issue of racism in this musical is especially relevant today, said Carson Crow, a sophomore directing major who is one of the assistant directors for this production.

“This story needs to be told right now,” he said. “The society is changing right now, and it was in the story too. I would like the audience members to see that there are a lot of similarities with what the story is telling and what is going on today.”

Being a freshman in a main stage production has been a nerve-wracking experience for Matteson, especially because she is sharing the stage with the head of the Department of Theatre and Dance, Dr. Bill Jenkins, who plays Tracy’s mother, Edna Turnblad, in this production.

“My first reaction was that I was terrified,” she said. “But he’s literally become a little mom. He’s so sweet and funny to work with. It’s also been interesting to see him in a different role than usual.”

Jenkins, a father of two, has fallen easily into the role of the show’s mother, even though the shoes were less than comfortable.

“I’ve found out a lot of the challenges that a woman goes through every day with wearing high heels, but I’m having a great time,” he said.

Jenkins has seen this show five times on Broadway, and he has wanted to play this role ever since then. Edna is traditionally played by a man, ever since the original show. 

What makes this even more significant is this will be the first time his five-year-old daughter will be seeing him on stage.

“This is the first time that my daughter will have a chance to see a show on opening night, and her dad’s in it. My family and my department family will all be there,” he said.

Every season, several faculty members join the students on stage, and this year, the students had the chance to work with the head of their department. This is the first time Jenkins has been in an acting role in eight years, when he was in the cast of “Into the Woods.”

One of the reasons why the department makes sure to include faculty members in their productions, from the set designers and directors to the actors and choreographers, is to allow students the opportunity to work with them to create their art while simultaneously learning from faculty; it also gives the department a chance to showcase a wide range of talent and experience.

Jenkins said he has gained a lot from the experience of working with the students in this production, as well.

“As a faculty member, it helps you remember how difficult it is to do what we are teaching these students to do,” he said. “It’s really humbling to go through this experience, to remember how challenging this is.”

Acting with the students in his department has also given Jenkins the chance to be inspired by the range and quality of talent they have on all levels.

“I continue to be in awe of our students,” he said. “They are extraordinary and talented and giving and really exceptionally gifted. It’s really humbling to be on stage with them.”

Share

---