You Can’t Have Too Much “Hairspray”

by Chris Narloch

One of our finest modern musicals is back on tour and coming soon to Sacramento, with the return of “Hairspray.”

In any incarnation — John Waters’ original 1988 film, the subsequent stage version, or the criminally underrated, all-star, big screen adaptation of that Broadway hit — this show is a joyful, cross-dressing classic.

The musical takes on racism, sexism, ageism, and fat-shaming with sly humor and an addictive score that includes dynamite songs like “Welcome to the 60’s,” “Good Morning Baltimore” and “You Can’t Stop the Beat.”

Join 16-year-old Tracy Turnblad in 1960’s Baltimore as she sets out to dance her way onto TV’s most popular show. Can a girl with big dreams (and even bigger hair) change the world? You bet she can!

This all-new touring production reunites Broadway’s award-winning creative team — led by director Jack O’Brien and choreographer Jerry Mitchell — to bring “Hairspray” to a new generation of theater audiences.

“Hairspray” performs this March 15-19 at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center. For more information, please visit: www.broadwaysacramento.com

“SIX” Slays ‘em in San Francisco

by Chris Narloch

Sadly, I was not able to make it to Opening Night, due to a bad back, but the reviews for this new Broadway musical are off-the-chart ecstatic, and I hope to approach the throne before “SIX” closes on March 19 at San Francisco’s Orpheum Theatre.

A friend of mine who saw the show in S.F. recently, and raved about it, described it as a hip history lesson if your history teachers were the Spice Girls.

From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the six wives of Henry VIII take the mic to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a euphoric celebration of 21st century girl power.

Everyone is “losing their head” over this original musical, a global sensation that won 23 awards during the 2021/2022 Broadway season, including the Tony Award for Best Original Score (Music and Lyrics) and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical. Visit https://broadwaysf.com