‘Hairspray Live!’ Welcomes Back the ’60s With Soaring Vocals From Hudson, Chenoweth

Alex Aronson

NBC’S  “Hairspray Live!” doesn’t stop the beat of the story that started as a John Waters film, turned into a Broadway show, then a hit film version of the musical. Teen romance. Homage to the innocent spirit of 1962. And a challenge to segregation. It was all that and more.

Set in 1962 Baltimore, the musical “Hairspray” returns as a live television event adapted by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, who produced “Sound of Music Live!” which kicked off the network television live musical trend – followed by “Peter Pan Live!”, “The Wiz Live!” and the forthcoming “Bye Bye Birdie” starring Jennifer Lopez. But “Hairspray Live!” is a standout, filled with large musical numbers, elaborate sets and impeccable performances. Not only is it wildly funny, thanks to its ironic lyrics (“who needs to read and write when you can dance and sing”) it’s a story of finding oneself and accepting others in the fires of diversity.

Newcomer Maddie Baillio shines as Tracy Turnblad. (And if NBC’s visit to the auditorium of her Texas high school as her classmates and teachers watched the show didn’t move you, go to the doctor and get your pulse checked – you might be dead.) This is the performer’s first role – which she won in a nationwide open casting call. She brings a particular level of exuberance and drive to the character.

Kristin Chenoweth and Harvey Fierstein play Velma Von Tussle and Edna Turnblad respectively. Chenoweth’s reputation preceded her, of course, but her dazzling comic soprano flourishes exceeded even that. Fierstein perfected the role as Edna in the Broadway version of the show and provided the extreme weirdness that exemplifies Waters’ spirit. All-star names round out the rest of the cast; they include Ariana Grande and Derek Hough, the former bringing a great voice and stage presence, the latter providing jaw-dropping dance moves as Corny Collins. Cameos by Rosie O’Donnell and Sean Hayes were fun to catch Other noteworthy performances were served up by “Hamilton” star Ephraim Sykes as Seaweed J. Stubbs, and Martin Short as Wilbur Turnblad.   

Jennifer Hudson’s voice soared like a missile when she sang the role of Motormouth Maybelle, Hudson’s rendition of “I Know Where I’ve Been” demands attention as a retroactive civil rights anthem – that retains its currency today.

In an attempt to add an additional sense of live energy to the broadcast – and to keep the energy running through commercial breaks – the show cuts to Darren Criss as he shows off some of the backstage secrets – and several other live viewing parties across the nation. But with a production that is already so grand – and highly produced – they could seem overdone. However, the old-timey ad styles integrating the show’s sponsors into the emcee’s shtick was a delight.

One minor criticism: The super-clever and subversive lyrics were sometimes lost to the speed of the singing and the audio. If you stream at home, have the words in front of you for full appreciation of the subtle critique of our dumbed-down world.

The production of the musical went beyond traditional live musical events – the street scenes were performed and shot on the Universal Studio backlot and that makes the show feel more like an MGM musical motion picture as opposed to a live television broadcast. As television becomes more cinematic, “Hairspray Live!” fits right in as a high water mark.

“Hairspray Live!” premieres on NBC Dec. 7 and is available for streaming on NBC.com.