{"id":142389,"date":"2022-08-16T14:39:30","date_gmt":"2022-08-16T04:39:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/?p=142389"},"modified":"2022-08-16T15:49:11","modified_gmt":"2022-08-16T05:49:11","slug":"hairspray-regent-theatre-theatre-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/hairspray-regent-theatre-theatre-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Hairspray (Regent Theatre) &#8211; theatre review"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The spark burns brightly in Hairspray, a delightfully breezy musical with discrimination as its theme.\u00a0It is colourful and dynamic, with toe-tapping tunes, smooth moves and a stellar cast, with talent to burn.\u00a0The show positively sizzles, bringing frenzied acclamation from an appreciative audience.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We\u2019re in Baltimore in 1962.\u00a0Teenager Tracy Turnblad (Carmel Rodrigues) is small of stature and big boned \u2026 and knows what she wants.\u00a0She wants to try out for a vacant spot on a teenage musical TV show hosted by Corny Collins (Rob Mills).\u00a0The program is sponsored by Harriman F. Spritzer, the President of hairspray manufacturer Ultra Clutch.\u00a0It is overseen by self-serving producer Velma Von Tussle (Rhonda Burchmore).\u00a0She wants her daughter Amber (Brianna Bishop) \u2013 a show regular \u2013 to be crowned Miss Teenage Hairspray.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_142391\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-142391\" style=\"width: 560px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-142391 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_2hairspray_2413-1024x683-1.jpg?resize=560%2C374&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"560\" height=\"374\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_2hairspray_2413-1024x683-1.jpg?w=560&amp;ssl=1 560w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_2hairspray_2413-1024x683-1.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_2hairspray_2413-1024x683-1.jpg?resize=272%2C182&amp;ssl=1 272w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-142391\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photos by Jeff Busby<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tracy\u2019s larger-than-life mother Edna (Shane Jacobson) \u2013 who runs a laundry business out of their home \u2013 is dismissive of Tracy\u2019s ambition.\u00a0Not so her father, Wilbur (Todd McKenney), who encourages her to follow her dreams.\u00a0The existing performers on the live-to-air program include several from Tracy\u2019s school, Patterson Park High, but when she turns up to audition, they diss her.\u00a0Still, that is where she meets and falls for the show\u2019s male heartthrob Link Larkin (Sean Johnston).<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While in detention for wearing her hair too high and skipping school, Tracy befriends hip, kind-hearted Seaweed J. Stubbs (Javon King). He shows her his dancing prowess and she is immediately sold.\u00a0Tracy can\u2019t understand why someone of his talent isn\u2019t given more airtime on the TV program \u2013 that is more than the once a month on what is termed \u201cNegro Day\u201d.\u00a0Everything changes after Tracy wins a place on the show, courtesy of turning the head of Corny Collins at a broadcast event, the Sophomore Hop.<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-142394 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_hairspray_2856-1024x683-1.jpg?resize=560%2C374&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"560\" height=\"374\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_hairspray_2856-1024x683-1.jpg?w=560&amp;ssl=1 560w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_hairspray_2856-1024x683-1.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_hairspray_2856-1024x683-1.jpg?resize=272%2C182&amp;ssl=1 272w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tracy is nothing if not passionate and someone who knows right from wrong.\u00a0She decides on a call to arms to protest against the treatment of blacks on the show.\u00a0In that, she has the full support of the sassy, strong-willed owner of a downtown record shop \u2013 Seaweed\u2019s mother Motormouth Maybelle (Asabi Goodman).<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hairspray is a most impressive, uplifting musical. It is not for naught that it won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical.\u00a0Its message of inclusiveness continues to resonate and remains just as relevant as when it first appeared as a 1988 film, written and directed by John Waters.\u00a0The Broadway musical debuted in 2002, with the first Australian production opening at the Princess Theatre in 2010.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With a book by Mark O\u2019Donnell and Thomas Meehan, music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics from Scott Wittman and Shaiman, Hairspray is a winner all the way.\u00a0In short, I couldn\u2019t get enough of it.\u00a0The show is slick, magnificently choreographed by Jerry Mitchell and features evocative, cartoon style sets designed by David Rockwell.\u00a0But above all what stands out is the grand talent on show.<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-142393 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_1hairspray_2977-1024x683-1.jpg?resize=560%2C374&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"560\" height=\"374\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_1hairspray_2977-1024x683-1.jpg?w=560&amp;ssl=1 560w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_1hairspray_2977-1024x683-1.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_1hairspray_2977-1024x683-1.jpg?resize=272%2C182&amp;ssl=1 272w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Carmel Rodrigues has a superb, ear-pleasing sound and significant presence as Tracy.\u00a0Shane Jacobson is a vocal and comic sensation as Edna, while Todd McKenney is jaunty as Wilbur. A duet between them in the second act is one of the many highlights of the piece.\u00a0Rob Mills slips effortlessly into the role of TV host Corny Collins. Rhonda Burchmore revels as the mean-spirited Velma and Brianna Bishop channels her narcissistic daughter with ease.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Asabi Goodman is spirited as Motormouth, while Javon King has a natural graciousness as Seaweed\u00a0in an eye-catching performance. His dancing is next level.\u00a0Sean Johnston charms as Link Larkin.\u00a0Also noteworthy is Mackenzie Dunn as Tracy\u2019s best friend Penny Pingelton, who makes the most of every scene she is in.\u00a0So, too, Ayanda Dladla as Seaweed\u2019s younger sister, Little Inez.\u00a0Donna Lee and Todd Goddard are versatile and memorable as the female and male authority figures in the piece.<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-142390 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_1hairspray_3629-1024x683-1.jpg?resize=560%2C374&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"560\" height=\"374\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_1hairspray_3629-1024x683-1.jpg?w=560&amp;ssl=1 560w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_1hairspray_3629-1024x683-1.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_1hairspray_3629-1024x683-1.jpg?resize=272%2C182&amp;ssl=1 272w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hairspray is a superb production of the highest quality that deserves to be seen again and again. It is up there with the very best musicals of all time.\u00a0With original direction from Jack O\u2019Brien, it is playing at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne.\u00a0It moves to Adelaide\u2019s Festival Theatre in December and the Sydney Lyric next February.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Alex First<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The spark burns brightly in Hairspray, a delightfully breezy musical with discrimination as its theme.\u00a0It is colourful and dynamic, with toe-tapping tunes, smooth moves and a stellar cast, with talent to burn.\u00a0The show positively sizzles, bringing frenzied acclamation from an appreciative audience. We\u2019re in Baltimore in 1962.\u00a0Teenager Tracy Turnblad (Carmel Rodrigues) is small of stature&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":142392,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[801],"tags":[7844,124,350,2180,7845,1717,2936],"class_list":["post-142389","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-theatre","tag-hairspray","tag-musical","tag-regent-theatre","tag-rhonda-burchmore","tag-rob-mills","tag-shane-jacobson","tag-todd-mckenney"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Hairspray (Regent Theatre) - theatre review -<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/hairspray-regent-theatre-theatre-review\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Hairspray (Regent Theatre) - theatre review -\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The spark burns brightly in Hairspray, a delightfully breezy musical with discrimination as its theme.\u00a0It is colourful and dynamic, with toe-tapping tunes, smooth moves and a stellar cast, with talent to burn.\u00a0The show positively sizzles, bringing frenzied acclamation from an appreciative audience. We\u2019re in Baltimore in 1962.\u00a0Teenager Tracy Turnblad (Carmel Rodrigues) is small of stature...\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/hairspray-regent-theatre-theatre-review\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-08-16T04:39:30+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2022-08-16T05:49:11+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_1hairspray_2615-1024x683-1.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"534\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Alex First\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Alex First\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/hairspray-regent-theatre-theatre-review\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/hairspray-regent-theatre-theatre-review\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Alex First\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/485a03a567664eed5233363f88ed35a4\"},\"headline\":\"Hairspray (Regent Theatre) &#8211; theatre review\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-08-16T04:39:30+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2022-08-16T05:49:11+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/hairspray-regent-theatre-theatre-review\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":718,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/hairspray-regent-theatre-theatre-review\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/rsz_1hairspray_2615-1024x683-1.jpg?fit=800%2C534&ssl=1\",\"keywords\":[\"Hairspray\",\"musical\",\"Regent Theatre\",\"Rhonda Burchmore\",\"Rob Mills\",\"Shane Jacobson\",\"Todd McKenney\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Theatre\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/hairspray-regent-theatre-theatre-review\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/hairspray-regent-theatre-theatre-review\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/hairspray-regent-theatre-theatre-review\\\/\",\"name\":\"Hairspray (Regent Theatre) - theatre review -\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/hairspray-regent-theatre-theatre-review\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/hairspray-regent-theatre-theatre-review\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/rsz_1hairspray_2615-1024x683-1.jpg?fit=800%2C534&ssl=1\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-08-16T04:39:30+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2022-08-16T05:49:11+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/485a03a567664eed5233363f88ed35a4\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/hairspray-regent-theatre-theatre-review\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/hairspray-regent-theatre-theatre-review\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/hairspray-regent-theatre-theatre-review\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/rsz_1hairspray_2615-1024x683-1.jpg?fit=800%2C534&ssl=1\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/rsz_1hairspray_2615-1024x683-1.jpg?fit=800%2C534&ssl=1\",\"width\":800,\"height\":534},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/hairspray-regent-theatre-theatre-review\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Hairspray (Regent Theatre) &#8211; theatre review\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/\",\"name\":\"\",\"description\":\"Australian arts &amp; entertainment reviews\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/485a03a567664eed5233363f88ed35a4\",\"name\":\"Alex First\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/d6c07f6ab1e27d55a9fc81f09b51709069a83a382270fbe4f25a1b8ffec9185f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/d6c07f6ab1e27d55a9fc81f09b51709069a83a382270fbe4f25a1b8ffec9185f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/d6c07f6ab1e27d55a9fc81f09b51709069a83a382270fbe4f25a1b8ffec9185f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Alex First\"},\"description\":\"Alex First is the editor of The Blurb. Alex is a Melbourne based journalist and communications specialist. He also contributes to The Blurb on film and theatre.\",\"sameAs\":[\"http:\\\/\\\/firstcommunications.com.au\"],\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/author\\\/alexfirst\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Hairspray (Regent Theatre) - theatre review -","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/hairspray-regent-theatre-theatre-review\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Hairspray (Regent Theatre) - theatre review -","og_description":"The spark burns brightly in Hairspray, a delightfully breezy musical with discrimination as its theme.\u00a0It is colourful and dynamic, with toe-tapping tunes, smooth moves and a stellar cast, with talent to burn.\u00a0The show positively sizzles, bringing frenzied acclamation from an appreciative audience. We\u2019re in Baltimore in 1962.\u00a0Teenager Tracy Turnblad (Carmel Rodrigues) is small of stature...","og_url":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/hairspray-regent-theatre-theatre-review\/","article_published_time":"2022-08-16T04:39:30+00:00","article_modified_time":"2022-08-16T05:49:11+00:00","og_image":[{"width":800,"height":534,"url":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_1hairspray_2615-1024x683-1.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Alex First","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Alex First","Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/hairspray-regent-theatre-theatre-review\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/hairspray-regent-theatre-theatre-review\/"},"author":{"name":"Alex First","@id":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/#\/schema\/person\/485a03a567664eed5233363f88ed35a4"},"headline":"Hairspray (Regent Theatre) &#8211; theatre review","datePublished":"2022-08-16T04:39:30+00:00","dateModified":"2022-08-16T05:49:11+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/hairspray-regent-theatre-theatre-review\/"},"wordCount":718,"commentCount":0,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/hairspray-regent-theatre-theatre-review\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_1hairspray_2615-1024x683-1.jpg?fit=800%2C534&ssl=1","keywords":["Hairspray","musical","Regent Theatre","Rhonda Burchmore","Rob Mills","Shane Jacobson","Todd McKenney"],"articleSection":["Theatre"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/hairspray-regent-theatre-theatre-review\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/hairspray-regent-theatre-theatre-review\/","url":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/hairspray-regent-theatre-theatre-review\/","name":"Hairspray (Regent Theatre) - theatre review -","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/hairspray-regent-theatre-theatre-review\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/hairspray-regent-theatre-theatre-review\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_1hairspray_2615-1024x683-1.jpg?fit=800%2C534&ssl=1","datePublished":"2022-08-16T04:39:30+00:00","dateModified":"2022-08-16T05:49:11+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/#\/schema\/person\/485a03a567664eed5233363f88ed35a4"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/hairspray-regent-theatre-theatre-review\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/hairspray-regent-theatre-theatre-review\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/hairspray-regent-theatre-theatre-review\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_1hairspray_2615-1024x683-1.jpg?fit=800%2C534&ssl=1","contentUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_1hairspray_2615-1024x683-1.jpg?fit=800%2C534&ssl=1","width":800,"height":534},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/hairspray-regent-theatre-theatre-review\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Hairspray (Regent Theatre) &#8211; theatre review"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/#website","url":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/","name":"","description":"Australian arts &amp; entertainment reviews","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/#\/schema\/person\/485a03a567664eed5233363f88ed35a4","name":"Alex First","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d6c07f6ab1e27d55a9fc81f09b51709069a83a382270fbe4f25a1b8ffec9185f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d6c07f6ab1e27d55a9fc81f09b51709069a83a382270fbe4f25a1b8ffec9185f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d6c07f6ab1e27d55a9fc81f09b51709069a83a382270fbe4f25a1b8ffec9185f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Alex First"},"description":"Alex First is the editor of The Blurb. Alex is a Melbourne based journalist and communications specialist. He also contributes to The Blurb on film and theatre.","sameAs":["http:\/\/firstcommunications.com.au"],"url":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/author\/alexfirst\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_1hairspray_2615-1024x683-1.jpg?fit=800%2C534&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":162021,"url":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/sister-act-regent-theatre-musical-theatre-review\/","url_meta":{"origin":142389,"position":0},"title":"Sister Act (Regent Theatre) &#8211; musical theatre review","author":"Alex First","date":"November 9, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"From the opening words \u201coh, crap\u201d, uttered by Sister Mary Lazarus, as played by the indomitable Rhonda Burchmore, we know Sister Act will be deliciously irreverent. In fact, it is a buoyant hoot, with some extraordinary musical performances and no shortage of colour and glitter. The show looks and sounds\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Music&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Music","link":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/category\/music\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/rsz_1sister-act_capitol-theatre_credit_daniel-boud_091_edit-1024x710-1.jpg?fit=800%2C555&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/rsz_1sister-act_capitol-theatre_credit_daniel-boud_091_edit-1024x710-1.jpg?fit=800%2C555&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/rsz_1sister-act_capitol-theatre_credit_daniel-boud_091_edit-1024x710-1.jpg?fit=800%2C555&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/rsz_1sister-act_capitol-theatre_credit_daniel-boud_091_edit-1024x710-1.jpg?fit=800%2C555&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":168505,"url":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/anastasia-at-the-regent-theatre-musical-theatre-review\/","url_meta":{"origin":142389,"position":1},"title":"Anastasia, at the Regent Theatre &#8211; musical theatre review","author":"Alex First","date":"December 29, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Grand performances, stunning staging and striking costuming characterise a musical adaptation of the 1997 animated film of the same name. The story concerns a legend surrounding the Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia. The tale begins in St Petersburg in 1906 when the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna Romanov (Nancye Hayes)\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Music&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Music","link":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/category\/music\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/rsz_2494-georgina-hopson-in-anastasia-photo-by-jeff-busby-scaled-1.jpg?fit=800%2C533&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/rsz_2494-georgina-hopson-in-anastasia-photo-by-jeff-busby-scaled-1.jpg?fit=800%2C533&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/rsz_2494-georgina-hopson-in-anastasia-photo-by-jeff-busby-scaled-1.jpg?fit=800%2C533&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/rsz_2494-georgina-hopson-in-anastasia-photo-by-jeff-busby-scaled-1.jpg?fit=800%2C533&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":144025,"url":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/joseph-and-the-amazing-technicolor-dreamcoat-regent-theatre-musical-theatre-review\/","url_meta":{"origin":142389,"position":2},"title":"Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Regent Theatre) &#8211; musical theatre review","author":"Alex First","date":"December 28, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"A new Pharoah has stepped into Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat.\u00a0Trevor Ashley, who played Edna Turnblad in Hairspray more than a decade ago, is that performer, who mimics Elvis in Las Vegas.\u00a0It is a role he will also play in the upcoming Sydney season at the Capitol Theatre.\u00a0At the Regent\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Theatre&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Theatre","link":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/category\/theatre\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/rsz_euen-solo.jpg?fit=560%2C315&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/rsz_euen-solo.jpg?fit=560%2C315&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/rsz_euen-solo.jpg?fit=560%2C315&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":146063,"url":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/cabaret-de-paris-touring-music-theatre-review\/","url_meta":{"origin":142389,"position":3},"title":"Cabaret De Paris (touring) &#8211; music theatre review","author":"Alex First","date":"May 22, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Rhonda Burchmore sizzles in Cabaret De Paris.\u00a0With those golden tonsils of hers, she sings up a storm. It is great to see and hear her in such fine form.\u00a0She looks like she hasn\u2019t aged at all. How does she do it? \u00a0She\u2019s cheeky, cheery, sexy and seductive.\u00a0It is her showcase\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Music&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Music","link":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/category\/music\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/rsz_20211126_cabaretparis-35__william_hamilton-coates.jpg?fit=800%2C533&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/rsz_20211126_cabaretparis-35__william_hamilton-coates.jpg?fit=800%2C533&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/rsz_20211126_cabaretparis-35__william_hamilton-coates.jpg?fit=800%2C533&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/rsz_20211126_cabaretparis-35__william_hamilton-coates.jpg?fit=800%2C533&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":144731,"url":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/juliet-regent-theatre-theatre-review\/","url_meta":{"origin":142389,"position":4},"title":"&#038; Juliet (Regent Theatre) &#8211; theatre review","author":"Alex First","date":"March 10, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"A riotously fun, thoroughly entertaining musical for our new, enlightened times, & Juliet picks up Shakespeare\u2019s Romeo & Juliet where it ended and kicks it up a gear.\u00a0It does so after the Bard himself (Rob Mills) is challenged by his wife Anne Hathaway (Amy Lehpamer), who has suffered as second\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Theatre&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Theatre","link":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/category\/theatre\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/rsz_1problem_cant_feel_my_face_-_original_australian_company__juliet_credit_-_daniel_boud.jpg?fit=800%2C530&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/rsz_1problem_cant_feel_my_face_-_original_australian_company__juliet_credit_-_daniel_boud.jpg?fit=800%2C530&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/rsz_1problem_cant_feel_my_face_-_original_australian_company__juliet_credit_-_daniel_boud.jpg?fit=800%2C530&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/rsz_1problem_cant_feel_my_face_-_original_australian_company__juliet_credit_-_daniel_boud.jpg?fit=800%2C530&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":168000,"url":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/i-love-your-faces-the-don-lane-story-at-the-palms-at-crown-theatre-review\/","url_meta":{"origin":142389,"position":5},"title":"I Love Your Faces: The Don Lane Story, at The Palms at Crown &#8211; theatre review","author":"Alex First","date":"November 16, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The multitalented PJ Lane takes us on a most entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable walk down memory lane, as he pays tribute to his famous father. With special guests Patti Newton and Rhonda Burchmore, PJ Lane sings, dances and delves into the life and times of fellow entertainer, Don. Complete with\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Music&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Music","link":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/category\/music\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/rsz_img_2008.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/rsz_img_2008.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/rsz_img_2008.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/rsz_img_2008.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/142389","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=142389"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/142389\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/142392"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=142389"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=142389"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=142389"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}