Hairspray, based on the John Waters film of the same name, tells the story of Tracy Turnblad, a zaftig Baltimore teenager in 1962 who dreams of being a dancer on an American Bandstand style show. Despite her size she manages to make it on TV, wins the hand of the heartthrob star of the show, and even strikes a blow for race relations at the same time. Sorry, I guess I should’ve warned about “spoilers” but really, it’s a musical-comedy, did you really think it wouldn’t have a happy ending?

Tracy is aided and abetted by her scatter-brained best friend Penny who starts a “shocking” affair with a black boy named Seaweed; encouraged by her self-confidence deficient mother Edna and happy-go-lucky father Wilbur; foiled by the evil Amber Von Tussle and her mother Velma; enamored of the perfect boy Link; and shown the light by a big-hearted black disc jockey named Motormouth Maybelle.

That’s the basic plot but the show is really about acceptance. Not to put too much of a sociological spin on what is really just a fizzy musical, but issues of body image, self-confidence, bigotry, prejudice, and more are all touched on and whether you choose to look for deeper contexts or just laugh and tap your toes is totally up to you.

The book (by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan) and music (by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman) are pitch perfect representations of both the era and the genre itself, with a Busby Berkeley “we can do it kids – we can put on a show!” type bounciness and Motown flavored music adding a fresh but familiar spin. Songs like “I Can Hear the Bells,” heard when Tracy first meets the handsome object of her affection, and “Timeless to Me,” a lovely duet between Tracy’s parents, are award worthy all on their own.

The show has been shrunk from its Broadway run to a sleek 90 minutes or so, with a couple of songs, some dialogue, and the intermission all jettisoned. Most people who have seen both the original and this one seem to feel that nothing gets lost in the translation and for those of us who have never seen the full version, nothing feels missing.

The performers will change as the show runs so do yourself a favor and get there soon. While the replacements for the existing cast will undoubtedly be talented, it’s hard to picture them being as gloriously divine (no pun intended for fans of the movie) as these folks are.

Katrina Rose Dideriksen is a delight as the wide-eyed Tracy (originally played by Ricki Lake in the film), full of spunk and determination with a voice that is sweetly powerful and a smile that could save them some money on electric bills. Susan Anton, as the wicked Velma Von Tussle is only disappointing in the fact that we can’t see more of her scenery chewing evil doings. Austin Miller plays the teen idol worthy Link with gee-whiz gusto and a pelvis swivel that would make Elvis jealous. And Fran Jaye as Motormouth Maybelle has a presence and a voice that could blow out the back wall of the theater.

But here, as on Broadway, the show belongs to Edna and Wilbur Turnblad as played by Harvey Fierstein and Dick LaTessa, both of whom won Tony awards for their portrayals. LaTessa is a music-theater vet and he plays the ever cheerful Wilbur with a glee and a spring in his step that puts most 25-year-olds to shame.

And then there’s Harvey. The term “gravel voiced” was invented for Fierstein, and he doesn’t so much sing as he does rattle the rafters but no matter. His cross-dressing turn as Edna is revelatory, taking the character from shy, insecure, overweight hausfrau to fat and fabulous through more than just great dresses and big hair. Pay attention to the way Edna moves at the beginning, a flat-footed gait brought on from too many years of lugging laundry baskets and contrast that with the light-footed breeziness by the end of the show. Fierstein changes everything as Edna comes out of her shell and realizes how much the people around her love her. In short, there’s a reason why he won a Tony for this performance.

Fierstein and LaTessa are in the roles for at least the first three months. If you get a chance to go see the show while they are still in it, you owe it to yourself to do so. But even if you get there after they are gone, Hairspray is such a delightful, effervescent good time that it will stand all on its own.

Vegas4Visitors Grade: A+

Hairspray
Luxor Las Vegas
3900 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
800-527-7428
website
Tickets

After visiting the new Hooters Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, I’m firmly in the middle.

For those of you living in a cave or, perhaps somewhere with a slightly less tolerant attitude toward the “sex sells” mantra, Hooters is a chain of restaurants around the country that is mostly famous for its Hooters Girls – a bevy of buxom lasses that serve the food wearing very short shorts and very tight baby-doll t-shirts. You can say that it’s more about the “we’re in on the joke” humor, casual atmosphere, and generously portioned servings of hearty American food, but really let’s all just accept the fact that it’s about the women and move on with our lives, shall we?

The company purchased the dingy San Remo Hotel, located just behind the Tropicana Hotel and Casino on Tropicana Boulevard, and threw their corporate branding at it in a big way, from the “Florida casual” theme (think lots of orange, bleached wood, and beach décor) to the aforementioned girls. It’s miles, leagues, and light-years ahead of what the hotel used to be (a dump) but I have to say there is a certain amount of “painting the pig” going on. You can still see the remnants of the old hotel lurking here and there, like in the elevators which have gotten a nice interior makeover but they left the scarred and pitted doors and control panel.

This is all minor stuff and will most likely be addressed as they move forward, but if you’ve gotten used to the gleaming, sparkly everything at some of the major Strip hotels, this will come as a bit of a let down.

The main floor has gotten the most dramatic part of the makeover, turning the casino space into a lively, energetic, and very, very crowded party spot. There are several restaurants around the perimeter plus bars, lounges, a gift shop, a small video arcade, and more. They have packed a lot into a very small area so personal space is at a minimum.

A revised pool area that is certain to be a tourist hot spot will be open by late spring.

The rooms are not only a marked improvement over the old hotel’s offerings, but they are nice even without the qualification. There’s more of the beach theme, with plank wood headboards, armoire, desk, and vanities plus plenty of orange to go around. The beds are super-comfy and there’s just about everything you need elsewhere including a nice, big TV with in-room movies, a dressing table, several mirrors, iron and board, coffee maker, safe, hair dryers, and dataports on the phone (no high-speed Internet yet, sorry). While they aren’t as big or luxuriously appointed as some Vegas rooms, they are just fine and more than the Average Joe will ever want or need.

By the way, rooms in the Bay View tower have balconies – a rarity in Las Vegas

And yes, there are Hooters Girls all over the place, from waitresses to blackjack dealers and everything in between, but keep in mind that there are other employees as well. Don’t expect to have your room service delivered by a hot chick in tight shorts.

The staff was unfailingly polite and efficient, managing to smooth over a few inevitable opening week bumps with a friendly smile. It’s got a real “down home” atmosphere, with employees calling you “sweetheart” and “darling.” Whether you prefer that over being called “sir” or “ma’am” by one of those drones in a way-too-expensive suit is totally your call.

Now here’s where we get to the biggest issue regarding Hooters – the price. Random checks of room rates over the next couple of months mostly returned $125-$175 a night during the week and well over $200 a night on the weekends. That’s verging into Mirage territory and I’m sorry, but that is just way too much money to pay for this hotel unless you are a total devotee to the brand. Perhaps rates will come down after the initial rush of people checking the joint out abates and summer always brings cheaper costs, but if you want to spend this kind of money there are better places to do so.

Although there are none with Hooters Girls, so there’s always that.

Highs: Fun environment, friendly staff
Lows: Price is too high, still some remnants of the old hotel

Location: 9 – Just a few steps from the South Strip madness
Price: 5 – Not expensive for Vegas but…
Value: 4 – Too expensive for this particular hotel
Rooms: 7 – Well appointed and comfortable
Casino: 6 – Very densely packed but festive
Amenities: 6 – Lacking a few extras that you’d expect at this price
Facilities: 6 – Plenty of food, not much entertainment
Service: 10 – Friendly and always smiling
Fun: 7 – A lively joint
Bonus: 7 – An audacious concept deserves extra points

Vegas4Visitors Rating: 67

Hooters Hotel & Casino
115 E. Tropicana Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
800-522-7366
website

return to the top

Question: I keep hearing these radio commercials for “resorts” in Las Vegas that are offering free nights and show tickets but they are for places I’ve never heard of. Are these scams?

Answer: Scams may be too tough of a word but they are certainly not all they are cracked up to be. What you’re getting yourself into is usually a high-pressured sales pitch to buy a time share.

The come-ons usually sound something like this: “How would like to stay in a fabulous Las Vegas hotel and see a glamorous show for free? You can! And it’s all brought to you by Las Vegas’ newest, most luxurious resort [insert name here]!”

I called one of them to get details and got the run-around practically from the moment someone answered the phone. The particular commercial I heard promised 3 days and 2 nights in a hotel-casino on The Strip and 2 tickets to a show. When I asked what hotel, they refused to tell me and when I tried to verify that it was in fact a hotel-casino on The Strip they tried to tell me that I hadn’t heard the commercial correctly. The actual accommodations were not on The Strip and was not at a hotel-casino so God only knows what or where it may have been.

As far as the show, all I was told is it would be something like Clint Holmes or Legends in Concert but they would not be specific on that either.

So what do you have to do to get this vague offer? Agree to sit through a “presentation” about the time-share. A friend of a friend very recently sat through one of these things for a time-share complex on The Strip that shall go nameless (although let’s just say that I’d never stay there because I don’t want to do anything that might assist Paris Hilton in any way, shape, or form) and had a terrible experience. According to them the service was awful and the pressure to buy a unit was intense, bullying, and intimidating.

It’s totally not worth it in my opinion, but if you are ever tempted be sure to ask lots of questions before you agree to the offer. If they won’t specify the hotel or show forget it. If they do specify and it’s a place you’ve never heard of, forget it. And if it is something you’ve heard of and wouldn’t mind staying there for free, just remember nothing in life is actually free.

In most instances the old maxim is firmly in place here: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

return to the top