SIGNATURE THEATRE - - “Hairspray”

The popular musical, “Hairspray,” is currently at the Signature Theatre in Shirlington. Set in 1962 Baltimore, “Hairspray” is a happy romp with an underlying message. The night I saw the show, the lead role of Tracy Turnblad, was played by understudy Kirstin Riegler and what a job she did! She took over at the last minute for Carolyn Cole who has since resumed the lead role. Local broadcaster Robert Aubry Davis has courageously taken on the role of Tracy’s mother, Edna, which is traditionally played by a large man. He did a nice job of hoofing and singing in this creation by Baltimore’s John Waters. You may remember John Travolta as Edna in the movie. Throughout the play, references are made to segregation and we see how Tracy confronts it. There’s a huge talented cast including a couple of show-stopping tunes by Motormouth Maybelle played by Nova Y. Payton. See this “Hairspray” at Signature before it ends on Jan. 29. For information and tickets, call 703-820-9771 and check the website at wwww.signature-theatre.org.