Review of HAIRSPRAY

HAIRSPRAY - STORY: An overweight teen pursues an unlikely dance career and boyfriend.

HAIRSPRAY - MESSAGE: Doing what you think is right, enthusiastically following your dreams, assuming nothing will get in your way, taking your own initiative -- all will win the day. Spirit and heart are not skin deep.

HAIRSPRAY - WIN: Completely refreshing was the opening tune where the teen was exuberant with the passion and enthusiasm for her life. In this happy state, she decided on her dreams, giving them more power to come true. The emotions, from the sleazy seductress, to the care less father, to the worried mother, etc. were very true to their real world characteristics. The teen and her friends stand up to injustice. It promotes competence (dance) and marital fidelity. It doesn't promote promiscuity, alcohol, smoking or drugs.

HAIRSPRAY - LOSE: Promotes, a bit, breaking the rules of the group (school) though for a "good reason." It promotes cross-dressing, but my husband noted that it was less politically incorrect (and gave it a comedic edge) to have John Travolta in a fat suit swinging it around than it would have been to cast a large woman in the role. It promotes overindulgence in food and the characters not taking care of their bodies as well as they could, sort of from the viewpoint of them having no cause over their weight.

HAIRSPRAY - EFFECT ON ME: It made it okay to be enthusiastic about life. Made me realize that there are things in my life to be enthusiastic about and to stand up for/against, and made me realize I could be more enthusiastic.

Sincerely,
Becky Mate
Script Consultant
www.virtueinthearts.com