Hairspray: The Musical

When a show tackles the serious issues of racism, bullying, interracial relationships, body acceptance and adult disillusionment yet somehow has you leaving the theatre with a smile on your face and a song in your heart, you know you've seen something special. "Hairspray: The Musical" is something special.

How good is it? "Hairspray" was nominated for 13 Tony Awards on Broadway and won eight. "Hairspray" was nominated for eleven Laurence Olivier Awards in London. The Broadway run lasted for more than 2,000 performances. It was also a movie -- twice!

"Hairspray" is set in 1962 Baltimore, Maryland. A chunky teenager named Tracy Turnblad obsesses about appearing with the pretty girls on a local TV dance program called The Corny Collins Show.

Tracy has learned to tease and hairspray her hair larger than a football helmet and is sent to detention at school for blocking other student's view of the blackboard.

Tracy's mother Edna is a plus-sized woman who had dreams of designing clothes but ended up laundering other people's clothes for a living.

Tracy's best friend Penny has a mother who hates the music on The Corny Collins Show because the beats are too African-American sounding.

When Tracy auditions to be a replacement dancer on the show, she is challenged by racist producer Velma Von Tussle and her spoiled daughter Amber. To make matters worse, Tracy seems to be winning the audience poll for the Miss Teenage Hairspray crown that Amber craves.

In school detention, Tracy meets several African-American students. They find common ground in their love of music and dancing as Penny finds herself falling for a Black student named Seaweed J. Stubbs who is the son of Negro Day hostess Motormouth Maybelle.

The kids come up with a plan to integrate The Corny Collins Show with dancers from the white production and from Negro Day. They all end up in jail.

Without giving up the ending, let's just say that good triumphs over evil, love triumphs over racism and inclusion triumphs over segregation. And the best part is that it is all done with frequent laughter, infectious music and great 1960's era dancing.

The finale of "You Can't Stop The Beat" is electrifying.

Titusville Playhouse, Inc.'s Artistic Director Steven J. Heron does what he does to every production in which he appears -- he brings a spark and energy that lifts each scene. Dressed in drag as Tracy's mother Edna, Heron shines in a role previously portrayed by John Travolta and Harvey Fierstein.

I don't think I have ever used the phrase "cute as a button" in a review before but I will do so now. Kate Zaloumes portrayal of Tracy Turnblad is as cute as a button! Watching her dance is a joy.

Sarah Biggs proved herself to be a comedy natural in her role as Penny and Alvin Jenkins' smooth vocals were perfect for the Seaweed J. Stubs tunes.

"Hairspray The Musical" is a wonderful show and -- as always -- The Titusville Playhouse does an impressive job performing it.

"Hairspray: The Musical" runs through Feb. 7 at The Titusville Playhouse, 301 Julia Street, Titusville, FL 32796. For information or tickets, call 321-268-1125 or visit http://titusvilleplayhouse.com/home/