The ERHS Drama department put together a musical performance of Hairspray that was performed on November 14, 15, 21, and 22.
Hairspray is an iconic Broadway musical that showcases racial injustice during the 1960s in Baltimore, following the story of a pleasantly plump and upbeat girl named Tracy Turnblad as she sets to integrate a local television dance show called the Corny Collins Show.
As someone who has watched the 2007 movie version in comparison to the live musical performance, I can say that the ERHS production version remained true to the story, while the cast added their own flair to it.
The only notable differences that I spotted were that the role of Edna Turnblad, usually a drag role, was played by a girl, and that Amber von Tussle actually won Ms. Hairspray in the musical, while she did not in the movie. Overall, the cast did an amazing job in their performance, and I congratulate them.
I would like to give ERHS senior Annisse Murillo, who played Motormouth Maybelle, a special recognition for her outstanding vocals, which stood out especially when she sang “I Know Where I’ve Been.” The outcome of this musical rendition,encourages me to watch the next ERHS drama production. “You Can’t Stop the Beat” will definitely be stuck in my head for a while.