ROLE of a LIFETIME
‘Hairspray’ star Niki Metcalf talks dreams, love and big hair in Tony Award-winning show coming to Easton
Broadway’s Tony Award-winning musical, “Hairspray,” is on a 60-city U.S tour including two performances at Easton’s historic State Theatre on April 16.
The production is under the original guidance of director Jack O’Brien and choreographer Jerry Mitchell.
The show tells the story of 16-year-old Tracy Turnblad in 1960s Baltimore as she sets out to dance her way onto TV’s most popular program and winds up changing the world. It features a score of hit songs, including “Welcome to the ’60s,” “Good Morning Baltimore,” and “You Can’t Stop the Beat.”
The touring version of “Hairspray” stars Andrew Levitt, who fans know as Nina West (from “RuPaul’s Drag Race”), as Edna Turnblad. The ensemble cast also features Niki Metcalf as Tracy Turnblad and Sandie Lee as Motormouth Maybelle.
I recently spoke with Metcalf about the show’s themes, big hair and more in this exclusive interview.
James Wood for The Morning Call: What can fans expect from the upcoming performances of “Hairspray?”
Niki Metcalf: “Hairspray” is
about a lot of things. There’s love, acceptance, dancing and singing as well as a lot of fun, laughs and joy. It’s got something for every kind of audience member. I play Tracy Turnblad. She’s a sixteenyear-old who has big dreams, a big heart and even bigger hair [laughs].
We start off the show with Tracy wanting to be on the Corny Collins show in 1960s Baltimore. Then she meets a community of incredible people who teach her
how to change the world for the better and stand up for what is right.
Q: You had mentioned in interviews that Tracy is a role you’ve always dreamed of performing. How so? A:
“Hairspray” has always been a big part of my life. I grew up watching the movie from the ’80s and the 2007 film. I also got to see it when it was on Broadway. I’ve always felt that Tracy was a part of who I am, and she’s been my dream role for as long as I can remember.
I remember back in sixth grade we had this thing called “Lip-Sync” where everyone would get up and lip-sync to different songs. It was kind of like a talent show but I wanted to sing live because I wanted to be a musical theater performer. I dressed up in the full Tracy outfit, including the wig and shoes, and sang “Good Morning Baltimore.”
It was the first time I got to sing the song for a live audience. It’s also the first song I brought to my very first voice teacher. Now coming full circle, playing this role, and singing that song to open the show for audiences across the country, I’m still pinching myself.”
Q: How much work goes into taking a production like this on tour? A:
Logistically, it’s interesting. Were in different cities all the time but we have an incredible crew who loads in our show. It’s a lot of travel but a lot of fun adventuring.
We started auditions right before the pandemic hit, and I actually did my entire audition process virtually through Zoom calls and sending self-tape auditions to the creative team. It was wonderful how they were able to get this all together so that when we finally came to rehearsals in October, we were all so hungry to be in the room performing and creating.
Q: What’s it been like working with such a talented cast? A:
It’s an honor, to say the least. I keep thinking back to the first day we were back in the room together. Just the feeling and love that came from every single person. I can’t even describe it.
“For me, musical theater is a way to change the world for the better. To change people’s hearts and minds and make them see that their dreams are possible.” — Niki Metcalf
That love and passion continues on the stage every day. We have the incredible Andrew Levitt, who many people will know as Nina West, as my incredible mom. I’m so lucky to be able to learn from someone with so much experience and be able to create something together. There’s not a single performance where I’m not smiling and laughing with my castmates and having genuine joy in the performance. I’m so grateful.
Q: What do you enjoy most about musical theater?
A: For me, musical theater is a way to change the world for the better. To change people’s hearts and minds and make them see that their dreams are possible. Musical theater has a way of finding its way into your heart and staying around. There’s nothing else like it.
Q: How important do you think is it for students to have access to music and theater in schools?
A: It’s vital because you learn so many things with theater. Not just the singing, dancing, and acting. You also learn leadership, how to work together and how to listen and communicate. Those are skills that, even if you don’t continue professionally, you can bring into other jobs. It also teaches you to be open and welcoming to people who may not be the same as you. Theater is just as vital as anything else that can be taught.
Q: What do you like to do when you’re not touring?
A: I’m currently on the TikTok form of creativity. I’ve been doing “Hairspray” themed videos and posting more songs that aren’t from the show to help stretch my voice. I also dance, read, and do a lot of other things to keep myself creative.
Q: If you were granted only one wish, what would it be?
A: I want to change the world for the better. I love Tracy and her confidence and what she looks like, even though she’s not the societal norm of what you’d see on TV in 1960s Baltimore. I want to do that as Niki. I want to play roles in the future which have nothing to do with what I look like. I want an audience member to be able to see themselves in me and in how I act and how I approach a situation. I want to be part of a change that stories like “Hairspray” inspired me with when I was growing up.
See ‘Hairspray’ live Where: Easton’s State Theatre
When: Two performances at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. April 16
Tickets and info: statetheatre.org