06/19/2026
Thank you, Scene by Jenni Prisk for this gorgeous review!!
Hairspray is running through July 19th! Get your tickets now!
Hairspray, an iconic play, is a major production to undertake, especially on a smallish stage., New Village Arts in Carlsbad has brought the story, set in 1962 Baltimore, to life, with vitality, verve and vigor! A very talented cast of 25 bursts onto the stage for the two+ hours of entertainment, mixed with history, division, reconciliation, and love.
Directed with insightful intelligence by Kali Boston, from the book by Thomas Meehan and Mark O’Donnell, with marvelous music from Marc Chalman who co-wrote the lyrics with Scott Wittman, the production will engage and uplift you by showing human possibilities when barriers are removed, and communities collaborate.
Pleasantly plump teenager Tracy Turnblad (Linsey Schreck) lives with her Mom Edna (Luxe the Drag Queen) and Dad (Max Cadillac) spending her time outside school pining for stardom as a dancer, with her timid friend Penny Pingleton (Irelynn Terranami.) They are besotted with the Corny Collins Show hosted by debonair Corny (Dennis Peters) that features lead dancer Amber VonTussell (Mikayla Kelley) and heartthrob Link Larkin (Max Leadley.) Amber’s ambitious mother Velma (Alyssa Anne Schechter) manages the station and will stop at nothing to make her daughter a star.
Once a month the station features ‘Negro Day’ hosted by Motormouth Maybelle Stubbs (Eboni Muse) and after Tracy successfully auditions to replace a dancer, she decides to change the demographics. She’s been learning dance moves from Seaweed J. Stubbs (Alexander J. Brown) at a record hop and as their friendship grows, so does her desire to include black dancers and singers on the show. And so the story flourishes, weaves, and transforms into a happy mix of black and white folks performing together while Tracy and Link seal their love.
Wonderful costumes from Maricela Alaniz, terrific choreography by Kara Mack, and a collaborative team behind the scenes decorate the stage to bring life and energy to all the actors who sing and dance with effortless enthusiasm!
Schreck is a standout with her voice, her moves, her empathy and her self-acceptance. Terranami aids and abets Tracy beautifully as her life and her confidence are revolutionized. Cadillac and Luxe create a loving, caring couple, and their engaging number ‘You’re Timeless to Me’ is a showstopper. Luxe pulls out all the stops as she emerges from her homebound character to stardom. Brown dances and smile his way through many a challenge. And Muse mesmerizes as always with her magnificent voice.
Boston has guided the exceptional cast through a story that is familiar, touched with memories and modernity that are painful to witness. We need stories like this to remind us that division does not a community make, but joy, laughter, and understanding are what bring us together!
Newvillagearts.org for your tickets. Take your kids, they will love it and learn from it! Playing through July 19, get your tickets now as they are selling fast!
