(OUTscene NW) RE-view: The 10th Anniversary 'HAIRSPRAY' concert was Seattle Arts at its Best!

The Audience Loved It!                           /Facebook  

by MK Scott

In the Summer of 2002, Broadway Legend, Harvey Fierstein  was in Seattle to star in a New Musical headed to Broadway and staged by our very own 5th Ave Theatre. So much happened and over 10 years later, the 5th Ave brought in the Seattle Men's Chorus plus all of the best Actors in town to stage a concert version of the Broadway and Tony Winning Hit. Forget the Movie version, this was the Broadway version that did its best to Honor the John Waters Original.

The action on-stage included Kat Ramsburg (Tracy),  Allen Fitzpatrick (Wilbur), Aaron Finley (Link), Heath Saunders (Seaweed), Kirsten Helland (Penny), Cynthia Jones (Motormouth).

Broadway star and new AD of Balagan Theatre, Louis Hobson (Corny), Tom Skerrit's daughter, Jessica (Amber), and the duelling Divas Eric Polani Jenson (Edna) and Jerick Hoffer aka Jinkx Monsoon (Velma).


Jenson's Edna resembled more of Divine's Edna from the John Waters original, not as the Huge and campy presence like the Fierstein and Travolta's versions. So that is why Jinkx's Velma, completely stole the show and she delivered every scene she was in and Belted like it was an art form. Sweet little Jinkx was instantly transformed into a  Wicked Bigoted Bitch. The audience awarded her with huge applause.

Does SMC fit the background?/Facebook

Now, this was supposed to be the Seattle Men's Chorus' Pride Concert and they were rarely used. They were wearing Black tuxes with a sold color regular. They looked like background than actually part of the show. For numbers like, "Good Morning Baltimore", "I can hear bells", and "You Can't stop the Beat", the Chorus shined as 180 Chorus Boys with choreography. Out of 21 songs, they only performed in 11.  Back in the Old Days (10 years ago), this would have been an extra concert, when it was a 4 Concert season. They would have had another Full Concert, a month earlier, or a month later. Some longtime SMC fans confessed that this was NOT an SMC concert, but a mere Guest Appearance. Here's Hoping next season will be smashing Success.

Jinkx literally stole the show from Captain Smartypants! /Facebook

It was great that Jinkx was part of this just as her stardom continues to Rise. BRAVA on the collaboration of all  participants!