Pit & Balcony’s production of the Broadway musical “Hairspray” wasn’t just a huge success. It’s a call for Cardinal pride.
Pit & Balcony is a Saginaw community theatre founded in 1932. Its 84th season began with a two-weekend production of “Hairspray,” Oct. 2 through 11.
Local critics praised the production for its casting and polish. Audiences seemed to agree, since the show sold out all but one night.
That praise reflects well on SVSU — more than half the cast and crew were SVSU students and alumni. Among them were the show’s lead, stage managers, and sound designer.
At the helm of “Hairspray” was yet another Cardinal. Its director, Thomas Wedge, is an adjunct professor of theatre at SVSU.
“They were fantastic,” Wedge said about his cast and crew. “Our SVSU students were leaders on and off stage. Not all of them were even theatre students.” After a laugh, he added, “Although, I think we might have gotten them to switch.”
Wedge is a veteran of Saginaw theatre. He has directed four of the last seven Pit & Balcony productions, three productions at SVSU and stage managed two others.
Both in the classroom and on the stage, he is known for his friendliness and efficiency. Students call him “Tommy,” but all seem to be impressed by his professionalism.
“Working with Tommy is always great,” said Jacob Kaufman, the sound designer for “Hairspray” and an SVSU theatre sophomore. “He is the most organized human being I have ever met in my entire life.”
Kaufman, like many others in the cast and crew, was excited to work with his professor in the community.
The opportunity wasn’t without its challenges, as Kaufman makes clear, however.
“Dealing with 20 live mics at once is tough, and doing everything manually with ancient equipment, turning each mic on and off during a live performance was not easy.”
“Hairspray” was a chance for SVSU to show off its talented student body. The chance was not missed — local reviewers noted the strong presence of SVSU students in the cast and their ability to pull off the show’s tight harmonies and intricate choreography.
MLive also complimented the production for its timeliness.
“Hairspray” uses parody and farce to highlight institutional racism in America’s schools, justice system, and entertainment industry.
Though the subject has never fallen out of relevance, it feels fitting to address in 2015.
A less experienced cast may not have been able to pull off those themes, but this one was ready.
When Carly Peil, a graphic design junior and theatre minor, learned Wedge was directing “Hairspray,” she knew she had to audition.
“I really, really respect and love Tommy,” Peil said.
“I’ve had him as a professor and director before and I’ve learned a lot about professionalism from him. Even though he’s really quirky.”
Peil grew up doing community theatre and now studies it at SVSU, but “Hairspray” was a unique opportunity to put her skills to the test.
“This show has taught me a lot about working with a big cast,” Peil added. “It stands out in my mind as a learning experience already.”
For the two dozen Cardinals behind it, Pit & Balcony’s “Hairspray” was a chance to branch out and put what they have learned at school to the test. For SVSU, it was proof of the quality of the university’s arts programs and community presence.
