Review: 'Hairspray' by Wall Street Theater Broadway Group

Dedicated to those of us who were young in the early sixties

“Welcome to the 60’s”

Norwalk, CT - Artistic Director Billy Blanks, Jr. directed the young performers at the Wall Street Theater Broadway Group in a sparkly production of HAIRSPRAY The Broadway Musical that ran this weekend on the stage of the historic Wall Street Theater. Mr. Blanks shared with the audience that the teens had put the show together in a mere three weeks, making the final product all that more impressive. The show was double cast to allow as many actors to perform the leading roles and stepping into supporting roles with the opposite cast. I attended the closing night that featured the Blue Cast members in the leading roles.

HAIRSPRAY has a book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman and is of course based upon the New Line Cinema film written by John Waters.

Emma Portray, a sophomore at Fairfield Warde HS, calls the role of Tracy one of her dream roles. She brought plenty of energy and a fabulous singing voice to the part. Elijah Blanks was strong as tv show host Corny Collins and Lena Pantzos, a freshman at Staples HS, was a joy in the role of Tracy’s bff Penny Pingleton.

Michael “Smitty” Smith of Milford was simply wonderful in the role of Tracy’s mother Edna. This young and very tall performer nailed the comedy and seemed so comfortable on the Wall Street stage.

Christina Connors reached down deep to play the villain Velma Von Tussle and sang very well. Rachel Arianna returned to this stage to play the role of the bratty Amber Von Tussle and did a great job with her vocals. Rachel recently placed in the top ten of Connecticut’s Got Talent.

Caleb Bermejo was terrific as the heartthrob Link Larkin; he brought such charm to the young man with an open heart.

The role of Seaweed J. Stubbs was brought to life by Anthony Mayhew Jr. He writes in his bio that he always brings 200% of his effort to the stage and in doing so he just about stole the show away from Ariel Johnson who played his onstage mama Motormouth Maybelle. Ms. Johnson was a winner of Connecticut’s Got Talent and sang her heart out in this big role. Lexi McCall did well as the little sister Little Inez.

Sixteen year old Ari Mendes from Westchester NY played helicopter parent Prudy Pingleton and Zach Libow, a seventh grade student at Eastern Middle School, played Mr. Pinky and Brad.

Eric James Dino made his Wall Street Theater debut (HAIRSPRAY at Downtown Cabaret) in the role of Wilbur Turnblad. Another adult was Jared Allen, the head of security at the theater, in the role of Harriman F. Spritzer.

At eleven years of age, Ashley Collins took on the roles of the gym teacher, the prison matron and Judine with plenty of punch. Christline Edward appeared as Lorraine and played Little Inez with the Red Team. Norwalk HS freshman Alex White was Gilbert and played Seaweed with the Red Team. Justin Olave was Stoole, Corde Young was Duane, William Perkins played Thad. All of these young men were committed dancers.

Kiara Miranda played Cindy Watkins and Kamilah, Rachel Lasky made her WST debut as Tammy and played Penny with the Red Team. Eloise Strabley played Brenda, Beatnick and a prison guard. Mark Diiorio was in his second show with the group as Sketch. Maggie Tone, another top ten finalist at Connecticut’s Got Talent, played Shelley and was the Red Team Amber. Sean Haggerty was IQ, and Julia Waetzig was Lou Ann. Kate Sloan, a Darien HS sophomore, appeared in the ensemble and was Purdy with the Red Team. Olivia Hirsch, an eleven year old from Bethel, played Shayna and was the Red Team teacher and matron.

Shout out to the dancers from The Ultimate Dance Academy. They included Sahannah Seemungal, Anaya Seemungal, Kayla Chieton, Jada Ross, Peace Bolaji, Na’Kiya Irving, Leah Reveil, Jade Julien, Nayanta Pierre-Louis, Ricky Mejia, William Perkins, Justin Olave, Sean Haggerty, and Corde Young.

What was really good about the performance was the commitment of each and every member of the cast, from the preteens to the adults. The choreography by Tayler Shoji was very well executed by the cast members. Kudos to the young performers and the adults who work with them for pulling if off. The scenery featured some very good drop curtains and props that were efficiently removed by the backstage crew. The very big wigs were impressively high and the costumes worked for the sixties. What a magnificent rainbow coat was worn by Motormouth Maybelle. What could have been a lot better was the confusing lighting and microphones that ranged from too loud to inaudible.

I loved the Broadway show tunes that played before the show began and during intermission, although the volume probably encouraged the crowd to talk even louder in this smallish space. Because this theater is located in the heart of downtown Norwalk, plan plenty of extra time to find parking should you attend an upcoming performance.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle.She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.