WISCONSIN — You can’t stop the motion of the ocean, the sun in the sky or “Hairspray” from taking Wisconsin by storm.
The Tony award-winning musical comedy follows 16-year-old Tracy Turnblad, as she chases her dream, dancing on a hit TV show in Baltimore in the 1960s.
Niki Metcalf portrays the iconic teen alongside Andrew Levitt, also known as Nina West from “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” as Edna Turnblad, Tracy’s mom.
We caught up with Metcalf ahead of the tour’s dual-run in Wisconsin.
Spectrum News 1: Why did you want to be a part of “Hairspray?”
Metcalf: I am truly living my dream right now. I saw the production when it was on Broadway; it was one of the first shows that I saw when I was little. In 6th grade, we had this thing at my elementary school called a lip sync… It was kind of like a talent show, but lip syncing. I decided that I was going to sing “Good Morning, Baltimore” from “Hairspray.” My mom painted this Hardy Har Hut backdrop for me; I dressed in the full wig, the outfit, the shoes, everything. That was my first time singing “Good Morning Baltimore” for an audience. That was the song that I used to audition for my first voice teacher and to think, full circle now, that I get to open the show every night by singing that song to an audience, it’s absolutely unreal. Tracy’s always been a dream of mine.
Spectrum News 1: What’s your favorite thing about Tracy?
Metcalf: Her never-ending optimism. She has the dream and she’s gonna get it, and she’s not going to let anyone stop her, be it the social norms, what a “Corny Collins” kid should look like on TV. I also so admire her heart. She also meets people and learns how she can change the world for the better, and really helps people come together despite differences, despite the things going on in the 60s. It’s her heart, her openness… that really makes me admire her.
Spectrum News 1: What is something you hope audiences take away from this show?
Metcalf: It has this message of love and acceptance that I really hope the audience brings into their everyday lives.
Spectrum News 1: What’s something you think will surprise even the most dedicated “Hairspray” super fans?
Metcalf: How relevant this story still is today and how much this message of joy and kindness and acceptance still needs to be shared and still needs to be told.
Spectrum News 1: Elaborating on that a bit, what do you think the cultural impact of “Hairspray” is in 2022?
Metcalf: It’s about being part of the change, and not to stand silent against things that are wrong. As Motormouth Maybelle says in “I Know Where I’ve Been,” just to sit still would be a sin. That’s something I’m learning every day from my cast mates, from the show itself from the story. I’m hoping audiences see that, too, that they are inspired to change the world for the better themselves, in whatever way they can do so. It’s something that’s very inspiring to me daily, to be able to do this and to have that message constantly in my brain.
Spectrum News 1: I have to ask, you’ve been to Wisconsin as part of other shows before. How do you feel about returning?
Metcalf: I absolutely loved it. It’s somewhere I never thought I’d be able to see. I am thrilled to be coming to Wisconsin just to go back and explore again, because I really enjoyed my time there. It’s so basic to say, but I loved the cheese curds, of course. I’m a big cheese fan. I went to a park; I didn’t realize how beautiful the nature was there. I hope to get outside, but I know it’s a little cold.
“Hairspray” runs at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center from Feb. 15-20 and at the Overture Center for the Arts from Feb. 22-27.