Fox Valley Theatre Company performs 'Hairspray'
On the surface, the musical "Hairspray" is a quirky nod to Pre-Beatles America, but the underlying theme shines a spotlight on the racism of the same era.
Not that this show is dark and preachy. From the songs to the characters, "Hairspray" is a warmhearted, clever show which just happens to demand that a male play the female role of Edna Turnblad, an obese, homebound woman.
Although one might think the role might be difficult to cast, producer Steve Olson, of the Fox Valley Theatre Company, says nearly every male in the cast auditioned for the role.
"We're not breaking new ground here. This role is typically portrayed by a man,' said Olson.
Steven Sledzinski, 19, of Geneva is that man in this version of "Hairspray" and he's more than happy he won the part.
"I auditioned specifically because I really wanted to have a chance to play this role. The biggest reason is I don't use my own voice with it and I like using character voices," he said.
"It's been a lot of fun. I'm using a sort of smoker's voice, a little more raspy. The songs were a challenge."
Sledzinski is outfitted with wigs and dresses and is surprised that the feminine art of walking in heels is "not bad at all."
Although that particular bit of casting seems to get a lion's share of the publicity, Edna is not the true focus of the show. That honor goes to an overweight teenage girl named Tracy, played by Jocelyn Vanderwiel. Tracy doesn't fit the model for "The Buddy Deane Show," a live music program, but still finds a way to honor her dream of being a regular dancer on the show.
Director Aaron Thomann points out that "The Buddy Deane Show" portrayed in "Hairspray" was actually a Baltimore staple from 1957-1962 and aired in place of "American Bandstand" which was televised nationally from Philadelphia.
Producer, Steve Olson, is delighted to stage the show.
"The rights were offered to us by Music Theater International. They were just released late this spring and a lot of theater companies were hoping to get them," Olson said.
"We've been waiting for several years."
There have been challenges back stage as well, according to Thomann.
"We had to hunt down a bunch of '60s clothes," Thomann said. "And it's a demanding set because there are a lot of settings you have to deal with."
In addition to those issues, Thomann cites another challenge which can only be described as hopeful. The young performers have been struggling to understand the racial climate of the times and portray the attitudes.
"Some of the kids in the play are pretty racist and (the cast) had a tough time with it. I tell them we have to get beyond the fact that nobody's racist here, this is the script."
For those who are only familiar with the movie version of "Hairspray," the stage play will contain a few surprises and that's a good thing, according to Thomann.
"The point is to make it your own. If people just wanted to see what they saw, they could watch the movie at home," he said.
<p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p>
<p class="News"><b>What:</b> Fox Valley Theatre company's production of "Hairspray"</p>
<p class="News"><b>When:</b> 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday, Sept. 10-11 and Sept. 17-18; 3 p.m. Sundays, Sept. 12-19</p>
<p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Elgin Community College Performing Arts Center, Blizzard Theater, 1700 Spartan Drive</p>
<p class="News"><b>Cost:</b> $10, $8 for students and seniors</p>
<p class="News"><b>Details:</b> <a href="http://cteelgin.com" target="new">cteelgin.com</a> or call (847) 214-7152</p>