More Than Music: ‘Hairspray’ as a Symbol of Hope and Change

By Selena Haynes・Photos by Jeremy Daniel

“Hairspray,” a musical that explodes with color, rhythm, and joy, is more than just a crowd-pleaser — it’s a powerful commentary on social justice and the triumph of individuality over societal oppression. Set against the backdrop of 1962 Baltimore, this vibrant production tackles serious issues with infectious optimism and a killer soundtrack, making it a timeless piece of American theater.

“Hairspray” began as a 1988 cult film by John Waters, known for its satirical edge and eccentric characters. The musical adaptation, brought to life by Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman, Mark O’Donnell, and Thomas Meehan, premiered on Broadway in 2002. Its debut was a smash hit, sweeping the Tony Awards with eight wins, including Best Musical, and running for over six years.

A Story of Dreams, Defiance… and Kindness

At the heart of “Hairspray” is Tracy Turnblad, a plus-sized teenager with a contagious personality and a dream to dance on “The Corny Collins Show,” a local TV hit. Tracy’s passion and talent shine through despite the harsh societal norms that mock her weight and ambitions. Her breakthrough on to the show is not just a personal victory but a symbolic win for all who are marginalized.

When Ralph Prentice Daniel describes his experience in “Hairspray,” it’s clear how the production has succeeded. “I’ve enjoyed my time, the experience, the people that I’ve met… cast, crew, you know, creative team… has just been, it’s been a dream come true. To be honest with you. It’s just incredible,” he said.

Daniel, in his second year with the company, plays Wilbur Turnblad — father to Tracy Turnblad. Daniel describes Wilbur as a lovable guy, “He’s the dad, the supportive dad that just loves his wife and his daughter and just wants everything to be happy. He always has messages of hope everything is going to work out.”

Daniel tries to bring kindness to his interpretation of Wilbur. He is able to play the role as parallel to his own life. “I try to live my life as kind as possible. I tried to do everything with kindness. That’s kind of how I approach life. You know. And so that’s what I think I bring to Wilbur — kindness. He’s just a very kind man, he loves everyone as well. He just sees people for who they are,” he stated.

Given that this story is set during a time when some of the cast and crew were not even born, they need to understand the themes of the story and why they are important. Daniel says one of the greatest things about this production is having access to and being able to talk to the original creative team. “Hearing their wisdom and the stories of why things are the way they are, why certain cuts were made, and how things transpired to what they are now has been just one of the greatest gifts,” he explained.

Daniel said that being taught about the story in 1962 terms and what that means regarding segregation helps explain things that one may not always be fully educated on. “Every step, every move has a meaning. It’s not just raising your arm for because it’s the choreography. There’s a reason behind why we’re doing that. So it’s been invaluable. It’s great,” he said.

Not Just a Man in Drag

One thing that most people would recognize about “Hairspray” is that the character of Enda Turnblad, mother to Tracy, is typically played by male presenting actors such as Harvey Fierstein, Michael McKean, Bruce Vilanch, and George Wendt or sometimes famous Drag Queens like Nina West. However, Daniel says it is not approached in that manner.

“We’re taught, when we’re putting this together, that Edna, Wilbur and Tracy are a family, so it’s treated as such. We’re not taught that it’s a man in a dress. It’s Edna, my wife, right, and so, it’s played that way. It’s supposed to be a family and just represent what it is,” Daniel said. “I think that’s a huge message of how it should be,” Daniel went on to say. “We shouldn’t be looked at for how we’re dressed or how we represent ourselves or anything. We should be looked at as normal loving people.”

He hopes people leave the show with this message of hope. “If we stick together and we work together, and we see people for who they are, and [practice] acceptance, love and kindness, we really can break the barriers. If we could just all come together, and really just tackle all that stuff, we would be much better people,” he said.

A Heartful Story with a Message

When asked what his favorite scenes are in the production, Daniel had many but his top three included the opening scene where we are introduced to the Turnblad family. “It just shows you how they are as a family. They love each other. They’re silly. Dad makes dad jokes. They’re awful, but they love them and he’s always making them laugh,” he notes. “And it’s the hope for Tracy. She wants to dance on TV but mom’s like, ‘I don’t think this is a good idea.’ But dad’s like, ‘You go for it!’ It’s just that hope.”

He also is fond of the duet “(You’re) Timeless to Me” that he does with Edna. “It’s just a lovely, lovely moment. It’s like that moment of when couples are alone in their house, and they’re just doing silly stuff, because it’s just two of them, you know, making each other happy. It’s just a beautiful moment,” Daniel explained.

Daniel also made note of the scene where the character Motormouth performs the song “I Know Where I’ve Been.” It in this part of the performance where Motormouth is telling all the kids that it’s tough, and she’s been there, but if we just keep fighting, we can, you know, put push through it.

“Hairspray” is making a stop in Nashville June 11-16 at TPAC. Be sure to grab your tickets so you can experience these moments and more!

“Hairspray” is more than a musical; it’s a movement, a celebration of progress, and a testament to the belief that, indeed, you can’t stop the beat.