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GAY SAN DIEGO


July 30-August 12, 2010


Rep’s ‘Hairspray’ gives budding local thespians chance to shine


By Cuauhtémoc Q. Kish | GSD Theatre Critic Inspired by the delightfully de-


viant John Waters film of the same name (starring late drag star Di- vine and a then-zaftig Ricki Lake), the Tony Award-winning musical “Hairspray” is currently playing on the San Diego Rep stage. It’s the first regional production of the musical in Southern Califor- nia—and you can still feel the beat from Marc Shaiman’s high-energy musical score. If you haven’t caught this


show on Broadway, had the pleasure of tapping your toes to a national tour version, or watched the movie remake with John Tra- volta, you must turn in your gay card, pronto! For those few who may have been side-tracked for the last decade or so (OK, we for- give you), this musical comedy is all about a girl with an unconven- tional body shape named Tracy Turnblad, who dreams of joining an afternoon dance TV program called the “Corny Collins Show.” In the process of making her dream a reality, young Tracy bonds with the black community in its attempts to integrate the show, which forces the more accomplished African-American dancers to appear on separate days from the often cloddish Cau- casian kids. And, of course, along the way finds love and a few other distractions find sweet Tracy. One of the better conceits of


the show is that Tracy’s mom is always played by a man, usually a very big man, like the rather frightening, fog-horned Harvey Fierstein, who first played Edna Turnblad on Broadway. In this production Peter Van Norden takes on that juicy role and does


FROM PAGE 8 JOURNEY


at the gym. They also struggle with their comfort zones: does going to a movie alone feel like increased freedom or increased loneliness? Will time with coupled friends help me feel connected or magnify my sense of being a third wheel and not having that elusive “something” that our community


fine work, although something was missing from his perfor- mance. While I felt his comic tim- ing could be improved, it dawned on me that most of the best productions of “Hairspray” have featured big, tall “gay” guys in the role. I might be suggesting here that “straight” actors aren’t able to get into the part as much as gay actors, and I may be wrong, but you decide. Norden, padded adequately


for the part, displayed exceed- ingly unattractive bare stick legs and wore fluffy bathroom or modified ballet slipper flats dur- ing the entire show. To me, it was a sacrilege not to wear heels, or at the very least, a two-inch modi- fied pump. Gay and conscionable straight actors would insist upon nothing less. On the other hand—or should


I say heel—daughter Tracy (Bethany Slomka) didn’t miss a beat during the entire show, and this bodes well for a San Diego native currently attending musi- cal studies at Cal State Fullerton. She had us with “Good Morning Baltimore” and never let go. Supporting players of note


included Leigh Scarritt as Velma Von Tussle, whose every come- dic move was a master class, and Pam Trotter (Motormouth Maybelle), who raised the roof with her rendition of “I Know Where I’ve Been” (although she might punch-up her ghetto dialog a bit if she wants to be in league with others who have tackled the role, such as Queen Latifah and Ruth Brown). Steve Gunderson’s Wilbur Turnblad was capably endearing, however, there was a lack of chemistry between he and Edna, especially in one of the


uses to define happiness or suc- cess in life. I was recently amused by a


comedian who explained that he loved watching couples fight so he could feel better about being single. According to him, you know you’re single when you find yourself taking a light bulb from one room to the next. Marriage, and not far behind it,


parenthood, have been two of the three political issues defining the gay movement for the past decade. These are achievements and rights


(left photo) (l to r): Pam Trotter as Motormouth Maybelle, Victoria Matthews as Little Inez, Bethany Slomka as Tracy Turnblad (Courtesy J. Katarzyna Woronowicz Photography) (right photo) Bethany Slomka as Tracy Turnblad (Courtesy Daren Scott)


expected musical show-stoppers, “You’re Timeless To Me.” Efren Ramirez (Link Larkin)


proved he’s got the singing chops, but failed to ignite any palpable heart-throb vibe. Victor Hernandez needs to channel Corny Collins’ spirit; he hasn’t quite found it yet. And Megan Martin (Amber Von Tussle), sadly, went nowhere with her part as the barely perky Tussle daughter. Director Sam Woodhouse


invited about 20 students from The San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) to partici- pate in the production’s ensemble. SCPA is a college prep arts-focused


that almost everyone in our com- munity believes are wonderful, deserved and merit celebration. However, there is no com-


parable celebration for being single. It’s sort of like growing up Jewish (which I did) and envying the lights of Christmas, not in a begrudging way, but kind of wish- ing your holiday was as bright and commercial. So, maybe part of the answer


is to begin celebrating singledom. Being single doesn’t have to mean “lacking” a relationship or missing


San Diego Unified magnet school for students in sixth through 12th grades. Although it may be argued that there may be a huge developing talent pool within this school, there were few students that displayed professional talent like the gifted Victoria Matthews (Little Inez). Choreographer Javier Velasco


kept things moving with non-stop energy, but some of the ensem- ble shticks were poorly execut- ed, resembling a bad “Shindig” number. And Mary Larson and Kate Stallon’s costume designs didn’t really shine until we got into the second act (budgetary considerations?).


out on this wonderful right called marriage. Contrary to societal images there are a fair number of people who choose to be and enjoy being single. Ultimately, it depends upon how


we view ourselves and what we do with whatever opportunity or limita- tions we are handed. Being single provides the security of being able to embrace and sometimes find serenity in solitude, as well as the freedom from being held account- able to a partner or having to deal with the significant and inherent


FROM PAGE 11 COMEDY


“I talk a lot about being gay and


the perspective of a gay man as he views the world,” Wherley said. “I talk about coming out and dating from a gay guy’s perspective.” A field representative and


press secretary for Sen. Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego), Wherley started doing stand-up in April 2009 after taking a class on improvisational comedy. “I’d always enjoyed making


I can help you get the body you've always wanted, then what you do with it is up you.


people laugh. It’s a way to connect to people’s hearts and minds,” he said. “It’s a chance to be on stage and talk about things that interest me and hopefully make [people]


“Hairspray” is a great way


to mark San Diego Repertory Theatre’s 35th season. It under- scores the talent and dedication that they have offered us for the past 35 odd years. It also shows their dedication to developing local talent, and their constant ef- forts to mine various community partnerships within and around the city of San Diego. Although this production is


a bit uneven, and although the performers offered a wide- range of acting skills, this show still entertains. If you go, you will have no trouble feeling the beat, and by extension, having a great time.☭


compromise of a loving relation- ship. It allows for sexual freedom and still leaves us with the opportu- nity to hope for, and maybe find, a person who truly complements our life.☭


— Dr. Robert Hirsch is a clini-


cal psychologist with a practice in Hillcrest and the author of a recently published novel based on his work. For more information about his practice, visit roberthirschphd.com. He welcomes your comments and suggestion at bobb@gay-sd.com.


laugh in the process.” Wherley’s day job requires


him to be informed about politics and current events, knowledge he is able to use in his routine. “It’s not uncommon for me


to find material in the news,” he said. “But headlines change so my jokes have to change with them.” Performing for gay-friendly


audiences at Brew Ha Ha is especially rewarding, Wherley said. “It’s unusual to have a cast


of all gay comedians. And it’s a great setting, especially for LGBT people who sometimes may feel maligned by other comedians—this is their chance to enjoy laughing at themselves,” he said. “Any chance we can get is appreciated. The richness of comedy is hearing from different points of view. ”☭


THEATRE THEATRE REVIEW


HAIRSPRAY Through Aug. 15 Lyceum Theatre Horton Plaza www.sdrep.com (619) 544-1000


Thursdays and Saturdays 8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays 2 p.m. Sundays 7 p.m.


www.gay-sd.com


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