Hairspray
at Hayfield Secondary School

Reviewed on November 21, 2014

Hannah Grudi
Chantilly High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Fairfax

What gives a girl power and punch? Is it charm, is it poise? No, it's Hairspray! With a jump and a jive, the rhythms of the sixties gave Hayfield Secondary School's production of Hairspray a powerful message about acceptance, while still keeping the tone of the show lighthearted and colorful.

Set in 1962 and based on a movie written by John Waters, Hairspray is an iconic musical about the changes created by the civil rights movement. Tracy Turnblad (Maggie Hardy) is a plump high school age girl living in Baltimore with her best friend, Penny Pingleton (Katie Wattendorf). Both lovers of the Corny Collins Show, their local television dance show, Tracy turns out to audition for a chance to groove with Link Larkin (Hank von Kolnitz), Amber von Tussle (Shannon Flack), and the rest of the Council Kids. Little does she know that she's stepping into a racially charged production as Seaweed J. Stubbs (Chad P. Vann) and the kids who dance on "Negro Day" fight to integrate the channel. When Tracy spearheads their efforts, the Corny Collins Show spirals out of control.

Hardy's portrayal of Tracy was on point, with strong vocals and solid acting throughout the entirety of the show, an impressive feat for a musical so dependent on the leads. Von Kolnitz matched her perfectly as Link, doing an especially good portrayal of the character's transformation from a shallow, self-absorbed boy into a mature man through his affection for Tracy. Von Kolnitz's facial expressions and singing were especially fun to watch. Katie Wattendorf, as Penny, and Chad P. Vann, as Seaweed, stole the show. Wattendorf's commitment to her character and comedic timing kept the audience in stitches every time she was on stage. Vann managed to capture a vibe that was spot on for the time period through a combination of groovy dancing and amazing vocals. Each of them brought energy and fun to the stage, but together, their chemistry was unmistakable and the audience giggled along to every joke they made. Corny Collins, played by Noah Mutterperl, was also fun to watch, propelling the pace of the show and dancing and singing with a passion that kept the audience in the moment. Mutterperl and Vann's choreography added to the fun and kept the time period of the show. Sometimes the comedic timing was a little off, but overall the actors had the audience laughing and still conveyed the powerful message of the show. Particularly moving was the number "I Know Where I've Been," with Dana Kim providing Motormouth Maybelle's powerful vocals.

Technically, the production was well created. The set was minimalist and pieces and lighting were cleverly utilized to establish the scenery. There were occasionally microphone issues but the actors powered through, and the scenes were still understandable. There were problems with lengthy scene changes however the tech added to the show and boosted the performances.

How can we help but shout and rejoice? Hayfield Secondary School's production of Hairspray brought the rhythm and the pizzazz it needed to the stage, making for a performance that delighted and moved. Go run and tell that!

Nikki Amico
West Potomac High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Fairfax

In 1962 Baltimore, Maryland, social revolution was stirring and young people were dancing. With a dedicated ensemble, strong lead actors, and an overall exuberant performance, Hayfield Secondary School's "Hairspray" epitomized this turbulent time.

Starting its life as a featured film written and directed by John Waters, "Hairspray" has grown into a touchstone of American pop culture. Brought to Broadway the show opened in 2002 and ran for over 2,500 performances. It won eight Tonys, including Best Musical.

A social commentary on the dangers of prejudice and importance of accepting others, "Hairspray" delivers both powerful entertainment and a powerful message. It follows the story of Tracy Turnblad (Maggie Hardy), a spunky teen girl who longs to be a star and make a difference. She and her friend Penny Pingleton (Katie Wattendorf) spend their days watching the Corny Collins show and dreaming about teen heartthrob Link Larkin (Hank Von Kolnitz). In detention, Tracy meets a colorful array of characters, including Seaweed J. Stubbs (Chad Vann), a soulful dancer and the son of the "Negro Day" host on the Corny Collins show. Alongside her new found friends, Tracy gains the confidence to audition for Corny Collins and fight for what she believes in. She wins both a spot on the show and Link's heart, dancing her way into a social revolution.

In Hayfield's production, the energetic ensemble of supporting characters carried the show, each with a clearly developed character that served the story well. One particular standout was Wattendorf. With detailed mannerisms and a remarkably consistent character voice, Wattendorf made the most of every moment she was onstage and often stole the scene. Vann, who also had a commanding stage presence, delivered a soulful performance with powerful, smooth singing and strong dancing. Their chemistry together was extraordinarily dynamic. Another notable element of the show was the clear transition many characters experienced as they went from immature teenagers to young adults. Von Kolnitz portrayed this transformation convincingly as Link Larkin. He demonstrated clear growth in his character from superficial to genuine, all while embodying his crooner persona with animated physicality and delightful facials. Noah Mutterperl also exhibited a vibrant persona as Corny Collins, and was yet another commanding presence onstage. The student choreography by Mutterperl and Vann was precise, impressive, and was performed by cast members with commitment and energy.

With minimal set, the lighting of the show (designed by Tucker Keisling) was tasked with setting each scene, and it did so effectively. Bright colors created the lively mood of the Corny Collins show, while muted tones were used to set the ambience of more serious scenes.

In order to convince the audience that "you can't stop the beat", this show requires an extreme amount of energy from each and every character. Hayfield's cast brought this energy plus some and put on the iconic production with charm. Big hair, big girls, and big fun, Hayfield's "Hairspray" was hugely entertaining.

Sarah Ortiz
Oakcrest School
Submitted for publication to Red Apple 21 - FCPS

Among the seemingly perfect lives of the 1960s, full of hairspray and model families, a larger issue existed: segregation. Dancing to the beat of the music, Hayfield High School brought the inequality beneath the dance lights in a devoted performance of Hairspray.

The musical Hairspray was based on the 1988 John Waters film with music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. Its first Broadway production was in 2002 and this well-known musical has won multiple awards. Set in Baltimore, Maryland in 1962, the exuberant musical begins with the aspirations of a plump teenage girl, Tracy, who sets her heart on performing in the Corny Collins Dance Show. The segregated dance show soon troubles Tracy who teams up with her dorky best friend Penny to devise a plan to integrate the show. Full of classic dances and humorous characters, the musical Hairspray still manages to convey the social injustices of the 1960s.

The majority of the cast was committed and energetic throughout the performance and Hayfield proved they could deliver both the comedic and serious sides of the musical.

Capturing the hearts of the audience, Maggie Hardy as Tracy Turnblad gave an endearing portrayal of a girl determined to stand up for her friends, even though she jeopardizes her chances for fame. Her brassy voice and expressive acting in "Mama I'm a Big Girl Now" accurately conveyed her character's frustration with her mother, and her desire for a change. Hank von Kolnitz as the TV heart-throb sensation, Link Larkin, sang "It Takes Two" with the perfect 1960's coolness that was further enhanced by his smooth and confident stage presence.

With laughs ringing from the audience, Katie Wattendorf fully dedicated herself to the role of Tracy's nerdy, yet lovable sidekick, Penny Pingleton. Throughout the entirety of the performance, Wattendorf kept up a dorky high-pitched voice, always staying in character even when the focus of the scene shifted. Her relationship with Seaweed (Chad P. Vann), the African-American dancer, was sweet and convincing. Vann himself was also in tune with his character, reacting to other actors with boundless energy and ease. Both Vann and Noah Mutterperl, the TV personality Corny Collins, commanded the stage with their impressive dance numbers that were full of life. Although some cast members needed to hold for laughs and have more consistent comedic timing, the humor remained strong throughout the show.

Notable as well were the unique dances student-choreographed by Mutterperl and Vann. In "I Can Hear the Bells" Tracy imagines her future relationship with Link and to the audience's amusement, the cast members re-enacted Tracy and Link's wedding by lifting two chairs over their heads and scattering petals around. Despite some occasional rough sound issues and a few lengthy scene-changes, the cast kept up the spirit of the musical.

Tapping their feet to that 1960s beat, Hayfield High School gave a commendable performance of the difficult musical Hairspray, while clearly enjoying every minute.

Ellie Milewski
Robert E. Lee High School
Submitted for publication to Insidenova - Sun Gazette

"I can hear the applause…don't you hear it chime? I can hear a bunch of hands keeping perfect time!" And all because of Hayfield High School Drama's wonderful performance of "Hairspray"! Based on the 1988 John Waters film, "Hairspray" first opened on Broadway in 2002 and won 8 Tonys. The musical follows the story of Tracy, a plump teenager who dreams of being a dancer. While following her dream she and her friends learn about love and being accepted by society. Hayfield took their audience on a journey to find love and acceptance through fantastic character relationships, superb music, fun dancing and an overall infectious energy.

The bubbly and vivacious Tracy Turnblad was played by leading lady Maggie Hardy. Hardy had a lovable energy that helped drive the show forward from the moment she sang her first, "Oh, oh, oh". Hardy was able to capture her characters ambitious personality through her happy and energy filled line delivery and dancing. Hardy's love interest, Link Larkin, was portrayed by leading man Hank von Kolnitz. Von Kolnitz brought a perfect balance of drama and comedy to his character. He was able to play up Link's cocky side yet still develop seamlessly and believably into the caring and understanding man his character becomes. One of the most commendable parts of Von Kolnitz's performance was his vocals. He had great control over his voice which was especially prominent in his opening solo "It Takes Two". Together both Hardy and Von Kolnitz worked very well and were able to grow both individually and as a couple with enjoyable and believable chemistry.

The heart of the show was provided by the supporting couple Penny and Seaweed. Seaweed, played by Chad P. Vann, is a dancer from detention who befriends Tracy and falls in love with her best friend Penny. Vann brought the energy to a higher level every time he stepped on stage. He had impressive vocals and a cool grit in his voice that added to his determined character. Vann also stood out with his physical movements since he put attitude into his dancing. Penny was played by the hilarious Katie Wattendorf. She had wonderful comedic timing and had the audience laughing throughout the night with her spot on line delivery and physical movements. Wattendorf also had an impressive voice and was able to belt out powerful notes in every song. From Wattendorf's first "hello" to Vann the two had an delightful chemistry that was developed through subtle glances of the eyes and cute interactions.

Every character in this production did an admirable job. Motormouth Maybelle, portrayed by Dana Kim, had an incredibly powerful voice that was especially impressive in the show stopping number, "I Know Where I've Been". Amber von Tussle, played by Shannon Flack, was very funny and did a great job playing the whiny villain who consistently drew laughs from the audience. All the ensemble members were committed to their characters and though energy lacked in some scenes they always brought back the enthusiasm and were a pleasure to watch. On Friday night anyone in the audience during Hayfield High Schools production of the beloved musical "Hairspray" would know that You Can't Stop the Beat!

Maggie Shircliff
Chantilly High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com - Ft Hunt/Kingstowne

Race, sexuality, and size. Those are just a few reasons many people face prejudice. Hayfield High School's production of Hairspray tells the story of what it means to be such an outcast. Through the triumphs of Tracy Turnblad, the audience learns that being an outcast is the most powerful tool a person can use to change the world. It learns this lesson through hilarious dialogue and catchy tunes.

Hairspray was first a film in 1988 and then a Broadway musical in 2002 where it won the Tony for Best Musical.

Hairspray tells the story of Tracy Turnblad (Maggie Hardy), a plump teenage girl living in Baltimore, Maryland, in the 1960s. Tracy dreams of becoming a star and dancing on the hottest show in town: The Corny Collins Show. After getting her dream role Tracy finds herself at the forefront of a racial movement, fighting for the integration of television.

Hayfield's cast brought an abundance of energy to their performance which found its way into the audience creating a pleasurable show for all. Although some dancers struggled to find the beat, each member of the cast danced with a bright smile. Two male dancers; Chad P. Vann, who played Seaweed, and Noah Mutterperl, who played Corny Collins, stood out with their eye-catching moves and ability to take the energy level from satisfactory to stupendous.

Revolving around lovebirds Seaweed (Chap P. Vann) and Penny Pingleton (Katie Wattendorf) as well as, Link Larkin (Hank von Kolnitz) and Tracy Turnblad, (Maggie Hardy) Hairspray is also a tale of love. All actors did an exceptional job of establishing the tension that comes with forbidden love. Vann and Wattendorf produced sparks every time they interacted showcasing their breaking of racial barriers. The relationship between Von Kolnitz and Hardy's characters revealed that love comes in all shapes and sizes.

The lead vocalists did a marvelous job of making the songs their own. Vann, once again captured the audience with his charisma by turning that energy notch up to a whole new level. Von Kolnitz sang with personality and captured the shallowness of his character through his vocals. Hardy was the Tracy you would expect and carried the show wonderfully.

The cast included a large ensemble of well established characters however some actors broke character before or during a blackout. On the flip side of that many actors did a fine job of staying in character until they were officially off stage.

A Hairspray full of surging energy, impeccable dance moves, and powerful vocals meant that Hayfield Secondary School left the audience dancing in their seats.

Bethel Elias
Robert E. Lee High School
Submitted for publication to Alexandria Times

Welcome to the 60's, where the bigger the hair, the better! Hairspray the musical portrays the deep rooted issues of racial segregation and equality through song, dance, and a lot of comedy. The story follows young Tracy Turnblad as she is faced with prejudice because of her weight and as she discovers the racism that occurs in this era.

Hayfield High School's production was anchored by many of the upbeat dance numbers that were skillfully choreographed by Noah Mutterperl and Chad P. Vann. The show had a delightful energy that emitted from numbers such as "Run and Tell That" and "Mama I'm a Big Girl Now". The overall production was jumpin' and jivin' to the music.

Hank von Kolnitz (Link Larkin) had a way of capturing the audience with his melodious voice and charming presence on the stage. The unmistakable sound of a trained voice was quite clear, as he never missed a beat. Alongside him was Maggie Hardy (Tracy Turnblad) who kept the audience engaged with her bubbly and enthusiastic depiction of Tracy.

The show could not go on without the wonderfully crafted supporting roles such as Penny Pingleton (Katie Wattendorf) and Seaweed J. Stubbs (Chad P. Vann). The chemistry between the two actors was quite evident, and even obtained various "aww"s from the audience during the number, "Without Love".

The ensemble carried the show well during the big numbers, and although steps were missed here and there in the choreography, the actors continued with smiles on their faces.

The role of Edna Turnblad went to William Pineda, who was able to get quite a few laughs from his bantering with Edna's husband, Wilbur Turnblad (Zane Burk). In "You're Timeless to Me", both were delightful to watch as they comically portrayed the relationship between a 60's married couple.

Though there were a few scene changes that could have transitioned faster, it did not take too much from the audience's experience. The spotlights that followed the running cast members in the opening number did a great job of staying with that character and keeping them well-illuminated.

The orchestra was led by student conductor Heather Heilbronner, who was able to bring out clear and vivid music from the musicians. The cut offs were sharp, and the harmonies between instruments were pleasing to the ears.

Hayfield's production of Hairspray was an enjoyable show to watch, with an all-around vibrant energy and talent that exuded off the stage.

Katelyn Sparks
South County Secondary School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

Conflicts of race, a prejudiced society, and love— all of these elements come together in Hayfield Secondary School's Hairspray, the lively yet poignant musical message of acceptance..

Hairspray opened on Broadway in 2002. Immediately shooting to popularity, it ran for over 2,500 performances and collected 8 Tony Awards. Set in the 1960s, the musical follows the story of Tracy Turnblad (Maggie Hardy), a stout teenager from Baltimore, who idolizes a local television dance program, The Corny Collins Show. With the support of her family, best friend Penny Pingleton ( Katie Wattendorf)and new group of friends—discriminated against because of their skin color—Tracy earns a spot on the show. She uses the opportunity to attempt to integrate The Corny Collins Show, as well as win the heart of her longtime crush, Link Larkin (Hank von Kolnitz).

However, this particular production featured a bit of a twist: color-blind casting. A color-blind cast is a difficult feat to pull off for a story centered on prejudice in the 1960s, but Hayfield executed it admirably. The story became less about race specifically, and more about just plain acceptance. The cast was energetic and each character was developed, interesting, and memorable. Well-timed line delivery and larger-than-life movements contributed to the comedic success of the show. Though some actors lacked control in the upper register, vocals were overall a strong element of the performance.

Though Hairspray features many leading and supporting roles, there were a few clear standouts. Von Kolnitz perfectly captured the cocky, yet good-at-heart golden boy with his smooth movements and commitment to every scene. His impressive vocal control and range aided in the suave nature of the character. In addition, the mother-daughter relationship between Edna Turnblad (William Pineda) Tracy was believable and well developed.

Wattendorf captured the farcical nature of the quirky, supportive best friend and her chemistry with Seaweed (Chad Vann) was electric. The pair was equal parts comedic and passionate, snagging the audience's attention in numbers such as "Without Love" and "You Can't Stop the Beat." Motormouth Maybelle (Dana Kim) encapsulated the nurturing yet determined disposition of the mother-to-everyone archetype, especially in the crowd favorite song "I Know Where I've Been".


The cast used the sizable stage space effectively in full-cast scenes, and both the sets and costumes were vibrant and colorful.

Hayfield Secondary's Hairspray was dynamic, with an enthusiastic cast and animated characters. The heartfelt, bubbly essence of the performance is sure to leave audiences with a feel-good attitude.

Emma Norville
West Potomac High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

What happens when there is more focus on sprayable hair products than there is on pressing social issues such as racial segregation and discrimination? The cast of "Hairspray" at Hayfield Secondary School responds to this question with a compelling tale of an unlikely hero seeking social justice.

Hairspray follows the story of an overweight teenager, Tracy Turnblad, who aspires to be a dancer and strives for acceptance by following the latest trends. Her dreams of stardom turn into reality when she is cast on "The Corny Collins Show" and becomes an overnight sensation. Once on the show, she is met with the realization that she's not allowed to dance alongside her talented friends because they are of a different race. Using her fame, she sets out to integrate Corny Collins and change TV forever.

Adapted from the 1988 John Waters film, the team of Thomas Meehan, Mark O'Donnell, Marc Shaiman, and Scott Wittman brought "Hairspray" to the stage. Their collaborative efforts paid off, as the musical won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

Katie Wattendorf stole the show with her portrayal of Penny Pingleton, Tracy's loyal and supportive best friend. Her dedication and commitment to her role instantly made her a crowd favorite. Her consistently hilarious characterizations and impeccable comedic timing made her one to watch. Playing her love interest, Seaweed, Chad Vann not only shared genuine chemistry with Wattendorf in their scenes together but also proved to be a strong performer all around with his distinguished dancing, strong vocals, and all-around swagger. Other notable performances include that of Noah Mutterperl as Corny Collins, Hank von Kolnitz as Link Larkin, William Pineda as Edna Turnblad, Dana Kim as Motormouth Maybelle, and Shannon Flack as Amber. All of them committed to their characters and made strong characterization choices throughout, making the performance as a whole more powerful.

Though there were some missed lighting cues and occasional sound troubles, the cast handled them very well. There were some members in the ensemble who had trouble staying engaged and keeping up their energy; however, the rest aided in carrying the show along and brought the scenes to life with their reactions and strong dancing.

The cast and crew of Hairspray successfully conveyed the underlying theme of acceptance and truly proved to be unstoppable, not only with their beats, but also with their talented performers and abundance of energy.