Hairspray

Since Tyson and I got married we've gone to see a LOT of musicals in the BYU scene. Turns out, Tyson actually likes musicals! I'm so lucky that I don't have to twist his arm to come with me to see these shows. While I was in London I saw Hairspray twice, we saw it last summer at the Scera Theater in Orem, and we saw it again, last night, at the Hale Center Theater in Orem. Why, you may ask? For the lovely lady playing MotorMouth Maybelle, Miss Tierra Jean.

Tierra and I were in the same student ward for a long time. She is one of the most talented performers I have ever seen. She has auditioned for shows on Broadway (and done well!) and is a frequent performer at the HCT-West Valley for "A Christmas Carol". This photo is of the cast from the Scera theater last summer. When I found out she was playing this role again at HCTO, I knew we had to go see her. I booked our tickets over a month in advance and we had front row seats. She knew we were at the show and frequently stood right by us (the theater is in-the-round) but didn't look at us until the second act. If you are familiar with Hairspray, you know that MotorMouth Maybelle sings an emotional song titled "I Know Where I've Been" and Tierra rocked it. Right in the middle of that song, she looks right at me and pretty much starts singing right to me! After the show she told me she tried really hard to NOT look at us during the rest of the show but couldn't resist staring me down during that number. Ha! I knew it! Anyway, she was amazing as always. Someday I really hope she ends up on Broadway. She could totally be Effie in Dreamgirls. Don't know that one? Also a great movie chock full of celebs.
This production was, actually, not my favorite. I felt like some of the other cast members were trying to hard to be their character and ended up being very unbelievable. Tracy frequently ran her words together, Seaweed was too ghetto, and Penny was spastic. Maybe that last one was intentional but I always pictured her as more of the "repressed nerd with a horrifying mother" type. If you don't know what I'm talking about, watch the movie with John Travolta, Amanda Bynes, Christopher Walken, Zac Efron, Queen Latifah, Michelle Pfeifer, and Brittany Snow. Enough celebs for one show? I think so. The original movie is weird. Don't watch it. The new one is way better. In fact, I'm going to put it in right now.
Tyson informed me that he would NEVER play "Edna" because then he would have to shave his legs. I would like to point out that he did not mention being adverse to wearing a dress, heels, or a wig :D (He's going to love this post! haha)