Hairspray
at Orange Lutheran

Reviewed on April 11, 2019

Sage Lamott
University
Submitted for publication to OC Register

OLU's "Hairspray" Welcomes You to the 60's
written by Sage Lamott, a freshman at University High School

A quick smile and then a light fog covers the face. What could it be? It's hairspray! Orange Lutheran's production of "Hairspray" tells the story of fighting for everyone's right to dance on television in the 60s. With emotionally engaged actors and little touches of realism in props, OLU transports us to Baltimore.

With a smile bigger than her hair and a bounce in her step, Taylor Furlong portrays the bright Tracy Turnblad. Furlong's wide, eager eyes and energetic stance engage in "Good Morning Baltimore" awaken the city and demonstrate her childlike wonder and drive. Effectively teaming strong character vocals with bubbly energy and a sassy smile she dances her way to the top.

Flashing a signature grin and suavely finger combing his hair, Danny Smith plays the confident lady's man Link. With a sweet as honey voice and an Elvis expression, he delivers "It Takes Two". Laid-back shoulders and a casual physicality creatively paint the self assured council member.

With a relaxed posture and a smooth voice Kyle Hill delights as the talented Seaweed. While performing in the number "Run and Tell That" he croons with a soft yet strong and stable voice. Combining dance moves that he makes look effortless, and endearing vocals he delights.

Hand glued to her hip and a glamorous glare Anysa Wilson barks and belts as the mean and clean Velma Von Tussle. With a commanding voice and supported, assertive vocals she laments in the number, "Miss Baltimore Crabs". Strutting around the stage with pertinence and purpose she bosses Amber (Madison Miller) around.

With pigtails in hand and awkward knees, Sydney Prebe flitters around the stage as the quirky and colorful Penny Pingleton. Stretched steps and hand twitching effectively portray the giddy teen. Pitch perfect comedic timing and comical vocals create a lovable and engaging character.

Colorful cans of hairspray greet all of the council members with the miracle spray in the number "(It's) Hairspray". In the choreography, the pieces are used to spray each other with and are used effectively each time. This creates a real and genuine feel to something generally so corny. Prop design by Kendra Olson amplifies the retro 60's feel of the whole show. Pieces such as mini radios and hairspray cans are used deliberately and specifically.

With creative acting energy and attention to detail OLU's Hairspray creates a colorful and engaging production.

Sage Lamott
University
Submitted for publication to OC Register

OLU's "Hairspray" Welcomes You to the 60's
written by Sage Lamott, a freshman at University High School

A quick smile and then a light fog covers the face. What could it be? It's hairspray! Orange Lutheran's production of "Hairspray" tells the story of fighting for everyone's right to dance on television in the 60s. With emotionally engaged actors and little touches of realism in props, OLU transports us to Baltimore.

With a smile bigger than her hair and a bounce in her step, Taylor Furlong portrays the bright Tracy Turnblad. Furlong's wide, eager eyes and energetic stance engage in "Good Morning Baltimore" awaken the city and demonstrate her childlike wonder and drive. Effectively teaming strong character vocals with bubbly energy and a sassy smile she dances her way to the top.

Flashing a signature grin and suavely finger combing his hair, Danny Smith plays the confident lady's man Link. With a sweet as honey voice and an Elvis expression, he delivers "It Takes Two". Laid-back shoulders and a casual physicality creatively paint the self assured council member.

With a relaxed posture and a smooth voice Kyle Hill delights as the talented Seaweed. While performing in the number "Run and Tell That" he croons with a soft yet strong and stable voice. Combining dance moves that he makes look effortless, and endearing vocals he delights.

Hand glued to her hip and a glamorous glare Anysa Wilson barks and belts as the mean and clean Velma Von Tussle. With a commanding voice and supported, assertive vocals she laments in the number, "Miss Baltimore Crabs". Strutting around the stage with pertinence and purpose she bosses Amber (Madison Miller) around.

With pigtails in hand and awkward knees, Sydney Prebe flitters around the stage as the quirky and colorful Penny Pingleton. Stretched steps and hand twitching effectively portray the giddy teen. Pitch perfect comedic timing and comical vocals create a lovable and engaging character.

Colorful cans of hairspray greet all of the council members with the miracle spray in the number "(It's) Hairspray". In the choreography, the pieces are used to spray each other with and are used effectively each time. This creates a real and genuine feel to something generally so corny. Prop design by Kendra Olson amplifies the retro 60's feel of the whole show. Pieces such as mini radios and hairspray cans are used deliberately and specifically.

With creative acting energy and attention to detail OLU's Hairspray creates a colorful and engaging production.

Fiona Mulholland
Mater Dei
Submitted for publication to OC Facebook

Orange Lutheran Dreams Big with "Hairspray"
written by Fiona Mulholland, a junior at Mater Dei High School

With a vibrant cast, gorgeous vocals, and intricate props, Orange Lutheran deftly tells the story of a chubby girl in a judgmental town and her dream to dance on her favorite show in their production of "Hairspray".

Taylor Furlong delivers a bubbly, heartfelt performance as Tracy Turnblad; with clasped hands and a bright smile, Furlong displays Tracy's hopeful personality. Furlong exhibits Tracy's optimism in "Good Morning Baltimore" with a charming, upbeat voice and a spring in her step as she greets the morning. Tracy is drawn to Link Larkin (Danny Smith) as shown during Larkin's passionate performance of "It Takes Two". Love-struck, Furlong rests her head on his shoulder and never looks away from his face as Smith seductively croons to the camera.

Kyle Hill as Seaweed Stubbs and Sydney Prebe as Penny Pingleton have undeniable chemistry as Stubbs brings out the rebel in Pingleton. Seaweed contrasts Prebe's awkward character, exuding confidence while sliding and jiving across the floor while Prebe's hunched posture and jerky movements show a closeted spirit, yearning to break free. In "Without Love," Hill's velvety voice and Prebe's powerful pipes showcase Stubbs' and Pingleton's attraction as they dance and twirl in sync.

Nick Wise shines as the charismatic Corny Collins, the host of the appropriately named Corny Collins Show. Wise's sultry glances, suave dance moves, and smooth voice in "The Nicest Kids in Town" personified his cool, collected character.

Whether it be hammily dancing to the Corny Collins Show camera or soulfully singing in detention, the vibrant ensemble infused Orange Lutheran's "Hairspray" with an electric energy. With the luscious harmonies and energetic dancing of "Mama, I'm a Big Girl Now" and the dynamic cheesiness and dazzling smiles of "The Nicest Kids in Town," the ensemble delivers passionate performances throughout the entirety of the musical.

Props, managed by Kendra Olson, are believable and eye-catching. Especially notable are the vintage-looking bottles of hairspray. Popping up constantly in the lively musical, the hand-decorated hairspray bottles lend a sense of charming reality to the show.

With impassioned leads, an animated ensemble, and convincing props, Orange Lutheran skillfully tells the compelling story of one girl's big dreams becoming a big reality.

Fiona Mulholland
Mater Dei
Submitted for publication to OC Facebook

Orange Lutheran Dreams Big with "Hairspray"
written by Fiona Mulholland, a junior at Mater Dei High School

With a vibrant cast, gorgeous vocals, and intricate props, Orange Lutheran deftly tells the story of a chubby girl in a judgmental town and her dream to dance on her favorite show in their production of "Hairspray".

Taylor Furlong delivers a bubbly, heartfelt performance as Tracy Turnblad; with clasped hands and a bright smile, Furlong displays Tracy's hopeful personality. Furlong exhibits Tracy's optimism in "Good Morning Baltimore" with a charming, upbeat voice and a spring in her step as she greets the morning. Tracy is drawn to Link Larkin (Danny Smith) as shown during Larkin's passionate performance of "It Takes Two". Love-struck, Furlong rests her head on his shoulder and never looks away from his face as Smith seductively croons to the camera.

Kyle Hill as Seaweed Stubbs and Sydney Prebe as Penny Pingleton have undeniable chemistry as Stubbs brings out the rebel in Pingleton. Seaweed contrasts Prebe's awkward character, exuding confidence while sliding and jiving across the floor while Prebe's hunched posture and jerky movements show a closeted spirit, yearning to break free. In "Without Love," Hill's velvety voice and Prebe's powerful pipes showcase Stubbs' and Pingleton's attraction as they dance and twirl in sync.

Nick Wise shines as the charismatic Corny Collins, the host of the appropriately named Corny Collins Show. Wise's sultry glances, suave dance moves, and smooth voice in "The Nicest Kids in Town" personified his cool, collected character.

Whether it be hammily dancing to the Corny Collins Show camera or soulfully singing in detention, the vibrant ensemble infused Orange Lutheran's "Hairspray" with an electric energy. With the luscious harmonies and energetic dancing of "Mama, I'm a Big Girl Now" and the dynamic cheesiness and dazzling smiles of "The Nicest Kids in Town," the ensemble delivers passionate performances throughout the entirety of the musical.

Props, managed by Kendra Olson, are believable and eye-catching. Especially notable are the vintage-looking bottles of hairspray. Popping up constantly in the lively musical, the hand-decorated hairspray bottles lend a sense of charming reality to the show.

With impassioned leads, an animated ensemble, and convincing props, Orange Lutheran skillfully tells the compelling story of one girl's big dreams becoming a big reality.

Lauren Lee
University
Submitted for publication to OC Facebook

Go big or go bald in Orange Lutheran's "Hairspray"
written by Lauren Lee, a junior at University High School

An upbeat jazzy tune immerses the audience into the welcoming, lively city of Baltimore in the 60's. Orange Lutheran's sensational production of "Hairspray" follows the journey of a pleasantly plump, dance loving teen as she navigates fame and strives for integration amongst her scrutinizing, prejudiced society.

Taylor Furlong portrays the quirky, optimistic Tracy Turnblad, and opens the show in the jubilant number, "Good Morning Baltimore." Furlong prances across stage with arms open and smile beaming, pronouncing her infatuation with her city and exuding her positive nature.

Tracy and her best friend, Penny Pingleton, played by Sydney Prebe, rush home to catch the Corny Collins show, and display their obsession over the show as they squeal and dance to the televised program. Prebe demonstrates her character's ditzy, socially awkward personality through hunched shoulder and slurred, sing songy speech, and develops through her relationship with the affectionate, charismatic Seaweed Stubbs, played by Kyle Hill.

Anysa Wilson plays the striking, sultry, and snary Velma Von Tussle, mother of her carbon copy, Amber Von Tussle, played by Madison Miller. Wilson struts in her high heels and extravagant attire in the show stopping number, "Miss Baltimore Crabs." Alongside powerful vocals and sharp demeanor, Wilson demonstrates impeccable acting choices through her interactions with her beloved daughter versus her distaste for the idea of racial integration.

Danny Smith, as the dreamy heartthrob, Link Larkin, impresses with his stunning vocals in the number, "It Takes Two." Smith's personifies his spunky, kind hearted nature by graciously joining Tracy in her movement to promote integration on the show.

Kendra Olson, designing props, meticulously highlights the vintage aesthetic of the musical through the crafting of a multitude of hairspray cans that are the essence of the show. Olson's precise attention to detail in each aspect of the cans made them stand out on stage as the actors ceaselessly sprayed the product all over the stage.

Orange Lutheran's sensational production of "Hairspray" explores racial prejudice and freedom of expression through a series of show stopping numbers. Collectively, the cast and crew of this outstanding performance highlight the power of theatre in its ability to spark conversations and encourage reform and improvement in society.

Lauren Lee
University
Submitted for publication to OC Facebook

Go big or go bald in Orange Lutheran's "Hairspray"
written by Lauren Lee, a junior at University High School

An upbeat jazzy tune immerses the audience into the welcoming, lively city of Baltimore in the 60's. Orange Lutheran's sensational production of "Hairspray" follows the journey of a pleasantly plump, dance loving teen as she navigates fame and strives for integration amongst her scrutinizing, prejudiced society.

Taylor Furlong portrays the quirky, optimistic Tracy Turnblad, and opens the show in the jubilant number, "Good Morning Baltimore." Furlong prances across stage with arms open and smile beaming, pronouncing her infatuation with her city and exuding her positive nature.

Tracy and her best friend, Penny Pingleton, played by Sydney Prebe, rush home to catch the Corny Collins show, and display their obsession over the show as they squeal and dance to the televised program. Prebe demonstrates her character's ditzy, socially awkward personality through hunched shoulder and slurred, sing songy speech, and develops through her relationship with the affectionate, charismatic Seaweed Stubbs, played by Kyle Hill.

Anysa Wilson plays the striking, sultry, and snary Velma Von Tussle, mother of her carbon copy, Amber Von Tussle, played by Madison Miller. Wilson struts in her high heels and extravagant attire in the show stopping number, "Miss Baltimore Crabs." Alongside powerful vocals and sharp demeanor, Wilson demonstrates impeccable acting choices through her interactions with her beloved daughter versus her distaste for the idea of racial integration.

Danny Smith, as the dreamy heartthrob, Link Larkin, impresses with his stunning vocals in the number, "It Takes Two." Smith's personifies his spunky, kind hearted nature by graciously joining Tracy in her movement to promote integration on the show.

Kendra Olson, designing props, meticulously highlights the vintage aesthetic of the musical through the crafting of a multitude of hairspray cans that are the essence of the show. Olson's precise attention to detail in each aspect of the cans made them stand out on stage as the actors ceaselessly sprayed the product all over the stage.

Orange Lutheran's sensational production of "Hairspray" explores racial prejudice and freedom of expression through a series of show stopping numbers. Collectively, the cast and crew of this outstanding performance highlight the power of theatre in its ability to spark conversations and encourage reform and improvement in society.