Bill English Directs Outstanding Ensemble in Beloved Musical

by Jenyth Jo

From the height of her shellacked bouffant to the tips of her tapping toes, Ella Ruth Harris turns fat-shamed Tracy Turnblad into a Civil Rights trailblazer.

Ahead of her time in 1962 Baltimore, Tracy fights for racial integration on the popular Corny Collins TV teen dance show. The musical (2002) is based on John Waters’ 1988 movie about 50s vs. 60s morality. Tracy bravely rebels against 50s conformity.

As a Black student in detention is forced to write: “I will not dance in the halls” on the blackboard, the principal throws all of them into Special Ed. classes, reminding us of the systemic tools used to maintain school segregation. Banished to mostly Black detention because her hairdo is too tall, white Tracy learns Black dance moves from daring Seaweed (multi-talented Jordan Covington).

Covington’s sheer talent provides jaw-dropping moments: He leaps off a desk and climbs through a window to serenade his white girlfriend. With his sister Little Inez (wonderful Suleika Onia Patton), Covington sings, “Run and Tell That.”

In contrast, television producer Velma Von Tussle (Alison Ewing) embodies the pushy, jealous cheerleader mom. Her daughter Amber (Mackenzie Macdonald) tosses her blond ponytail and shapely body at rising star Link Larkin (outstanding Trevor March).

“Save it for the show!” commands her mother, when she finds the couple kissing in the wings. March’s Elvis-inspired “It Takes Two” shows he can croon and swing with style. What a 60s heartthrob he is, with a single curl dangling on his forehead!

Director Bill English unveils crisp music and dance with dynamic lighting and projections, keeping this 2-hour 40-minute show hopping. Hunter Yocum’s riveting dance and acrobatic moves promise a great career. The Dynamites (Kaila Dyson, Anese Jade, and Cai Rodis) steal a scene, combining the harmonies of the Supremes with the dance moves of Martha and the Vandellas.

But all is not joy. Velma wants to steer the show in “the white direction” and champions her own bigotry. She reminds us of the ‘Karens’ who refuse to park their white privilege.

Tracy’s parents Wilbur (adorkable Ken Brill) and Edna (drag star Jonathan Chisolm) disagree on her chance to crash the Corny Collins show. Edna feels Tracy will be rejected and hurt. Chisolm plays Edna with just the right amount of self-hatred and chutzpah, while Brill shows us it’s fun to be weird.

After getting on the show, Tracy insists, “We need kids who look like those who watch the show.” She advocates for anybody “different” from the normies. Using Ultra-Clutch hairspray, Tracy’s bouffant increases in height, as her leadership grows and inspires.

Who will win the title of Miss Hairspray? The white OG, or the New Wave of kids who believe “manipulating our judicial system is un-American?” If you ask Motormouth Maybelle, we need to do what’s right, not white.

As Pete Hegseth takes outstanding women and people of color off the military’s promotion list, I’m reminded of James Brown’s “Brother we can’t quit until we get our share.” This revival of “Hairspray” reminds us of the fight we must continue, of the racism we must overcome.

“Hairspray” –book by Mark O’Donnell & Thomas Meehan, music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman, based on Hairspray, the New Line Cinema Film (1988) written & directed by John Waters, directed by Bill English, music direction by Dave Dobrusky, choreography by Phoenyx Rose, costumes by Bethany Deal, lighting by Michael Oesch, sound by James Ard, and projections by Erik Scanlon.

Info:  sfplayhouse.org – to September 12, 2026.

Cast: Jeffrey Brian Adams, Jeannine Anderson, Sierra Bolar, David Boyll, Ken Brill, Jonathan Chisolm, Jordan Covington, Kaila Dyson, Alison Ewing, Ella Ruth Francis, Anese Jade, Kareem Jenkins, Sanaiya Johnson, Matthew Letton, Suleika Onia Patton, Mackenzie Macdonald, Trevor March, Rebecca Pingree, Samantha Rich, Cai Rodis, Gwen Tessman, and Hunter Yocom.

Banner photo: Jeannine Anderson & Ella Ruth Francis (center), with Kaila Dyson, Anese Jade, Samantha Rich, & Sanaiya Johnson. Photos: Jessica Palopoli