Hairspray Jr. Is Not Something to Be Mist Play Takes Place Two More Times in Lake Charles

A bunch of students stand in a yard playing some sort of dodgeball game that has many balls and not just one. In the front for everybody to see, stand two girls. One is the popular and bossy girl, thin and seen as "perfect." The other is plump and the "perfect" girl does not like her, and especially hates when others like her. In the "perfect" girl's mind, nobody should like this girl. The "perfect" girl then hits the other girl in the face with a dodgeball, making her pass out and fall to the ground.

These two girls are Amber von Tussle and Tracy Turnblad, of Hairspray, Jr. Bayleigh Keating, who plays Amber von Tussle doesn''t miss a beat as the preppy, "perfect," brat that seems to think she deserves everything she wants. In each of her scenes, she commanded the stage. Her portrayal of Amber evoked the essence of Ashley Tisdale as Sharpay Evans in High School Musical.

Jared Bates also gave a stellar performance as Corny Collins. In this reviewers mind, he also would have made an excellent Link Larkin. While the other performers did great jobs, these two were the stand outs among a talented cast.

The rest of the cast included Laylah Bennett (Tracy Turnblad), Rhianna Hasenbein (Edna Turnblad), Katelyn Liz Bonette (Penny Pingleton), Whitney Chaumont (Velma von Tussle), Grayson Ashford (Link Larkin), Joshua Anderson (Seaweed J. Stubbs), Koyae Praylor (Little Inez Stubbs), Alonnie Celestine (Motormouth Maybelle), Maria Thibodeaux (Prudy Pingleton), Declan Hickey (Wilbur Turnblad), Helaina Savoie (Principal), Christopher Abraham (Mr. Pinky), Madison Ezell (Gym Teacher), Whitney Nguyen (Matron 1), Isablla Cooley (Matron 2), Madison Fullerton (Beatnik Chick), Grant Dulplichain (Male Guard), and Meghan Moor (News Caster).

The Council members and Councilettes were played by Tyler Thomas (Brad), Cagle Kaogh (Tammmy), Caden Hyde (Fender), Reagan Cotton (Brenda), Manuel Domingues (Sketch), Emma Juhala (Shelley), Zane Doucet (I.Q.), and Triity Arnold (Lou Anne). The Run and Tell that Teeens were played y Imani Poullard, Jacog Tatmon, Celise Landry, Dezarai Aleris, Caqleb Broussarrd, Jayla Guillory, McKenzie Matthews, Iman Poullard, Elijah Roberts, Dorien Smith, and Cheysh Young Mr. Pinky's staff was played by Naomi Ratcliff, Whitney Nguyen, and Grant Duplichain. The Dynamites were played by Alonzia Carlon (Judine), Jasmine Semien (Kamilah), and Jordyn Darone (Shayna). Ensemble members included Manuela Iervoililino, Madison Williams, Kinsey Vidrine, Ajah Moore, Shontenaisha Monuel, Jameszetta Henry, Courtney Crader, and Emma Babin.

The vocals for singing were not as up to par as one might expect, with wavering notes and sometimes off-pitch singing, but that was usually only at the beginning of a song and could easily be chalked up to first night jitters. All of the cast remembered blocking and choreography which was amazing being there was so much of it and these are high school students who are not in a class, but an after school drama club.

For this reviewer, it was a little disappointing that a male did not play the role of Edna Turnblad as is often traditional in productions of Hairspray, however, that is not required. The effort that went into the staging of the musical is obvious and community should definitely support these hard working teens.

Hairspray Jr. is in Lake Charles for two more performances. It is being performed by the Barbe Drama Club even though it takes place in the auditorium of the LaGrange High School auditorium. Tickets to see the play are $7 and can be bought at the door. The play runs for aobut and hour and half and there is no intermission.

You can see the play at the following times:

• Saturday, October 19, 2019 at 7pm
• Sunday, October 20, 2019 at 2pm

LaGrange High School is located at 3420 Louisiana Ave., Lake Charles, LA, 70607