thePeanutBloggery

Folks who love musicals will enjoy Hairspray; folks who don’t probably won’t.

Hairspray has been adapted from the 2002 Broadway show, which was adapted from the 1988 John Waters film (it’s not the first time – The Producers – and it won’t be the last – The Full Monty, anyone?) Unfortunately, something was lost in the translation. While the original film was quirky and ironic, there’s nothing edgy about this one. Adam Shankman’s (A Walk to Remember) direction is earnestly bubbly, and the subject of desegregation provides little more than comedic fodder.

Set in 1963 Baltimore, Hairspray is still the story of affably chubby Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky) and her quest to be a dancer on the local Bandstand-esque “Corny Collins Show”. Just as Ricki Lake became an overnight sensation after the original, the impossibly adorable 4’11” Blonsky, who’s only former credits are Great Neck South Senior High productions, is about to become a star.

As for the rest of the cast, the creators appear to have made a wish list of stage and screen musical veterans, and it was granted. Queen Latifah (Chicago) flaunts her velvety voice as Motormouth Maybelle, the host of “Negro Day” on the “Corny Collins Show”; Michelle Pfeiffer (Grease 2, The Fabulous Baker Boys) is unexpectedly good at being bad as the racist station manager, Velma Von Tussle; Zac Efron (High School Musical) is every bit the teen heartthrob you want him to be; and John Travolta (Grease) is uncomfortably right as Tracy’s corpulent and nervous mother Edna. Saturday Night Fever fans may be a bit disappointed, however; his dancing fails to thrill, as he’s severely weighed down by a bulky fat suit. As Corny Collins, James Marsden (Superman Returns) serves as the only “did we know he could sing?” cast member (a la Joaquin Phoenix, Jamie Fox, Eddie Murphy), giving fellow X-Man Hugh Jackman a run for his sequined money.

Ultimately, the most endearing performance comes from Christopher Walken (Broadway’s The Dead), who plays Wilbur Turnblad, Tracy’s father. He sings and dances like a pro (who could forget him in the Fatboy Slim video), but while there’s a sense from most of the supporting cast that they signed up to have some fun, Walken has committed all of his performing skills to this character. One of the highlights of the film is when Wilbur nuzzles his daughter’s shoulder as they quietly discuss her mother, creating a memorably touching moment amidst the chaotic spectacle.

Composer Marc Shaiman’s songs are fun, although somewhat generic. The opening number, “Good Morning Baltimore”, stuck in my head, but that’s probably because I remember Justin Suarez’s subway performance on “Ugly Betty”. Still, now that Hairspray is available to the entire country, not just New Yorkers and people who drag themselves to their local cities to see the touring company, young girls everywhere will be locked in their bedrooms singing “I Can Hear the Bells”, hoping to become the next Nikki Blonsky.