Local Talent On Tour With The Musical Hairspray
The movie Hairspray made its original debut in 1988. The story is set
in Baltimore during the 1960s TV dance craze. Pleasantly plump high school
hairhopper Tracy Turnblad goes from outsider to celebrity trendsetter when
she stars on "The Corny Collins Show.” She wins the heart of resident hunk
Link Larkin and kicks down the barriers for black and white integration on
local television. In the summer of 2002, Hairspray became a Broadway
smash when it premiered at the Neil Simon Theatre in New York. After winning
eight Tony Awards including Best Musical, it continues to be one of the most
popular shows currently running on Broadway.
NETworks Presentations, a national tour company based in Maryland launched
the 2nd national tour of Hairspray in August 2006. It toured
throughout the United States, and then traveled to Japan in July 2007 for a
4-week engagement. It has returned to the U.S. and will continue touring
until March 2008. While we might think this life sounds glamorous and is
only for “famous people,” our community is lucky enough to currently be
“home” to 2 cast members. Ralph Meitzler of Boyertown and Latasha Whitmore
who teaches dance here in Boyertown, are both traveling with the
Hairspray tour. I spoke with them after their return from Japan.
Q : What is your role in Hairspray?
Latasha – I am one of the 3 Dynamites; The Dynamites are an
all-girl singing group. I also play the role of Peaches in the ensemble and
I understudy Motormouth Mabel.
Ralph – I am a Swing [understudies various roles to be
prepared to perform at any time], Assistant Dance Captain [organizes and
rehearses dance numbers], and I understudy 3 different principle roles.
 Q : Talk a little about your background.
Latasha – I’m originally from New Jersey, I attended Messiah
College in Grantham, Pa and graduated with a BA in Theatre Arts with a minor
in Political Science. I’ve been dancing since the age of 3. My 1st
professional job was at Hershey Park and my 1st professional tour was a
regional tour of Aida. More recently, I have been in the world premiere of
Around The World In 80 Days at The Fulton Theatre, I was Nehebka in Aida,
and I understudied the role of Aida. Some of my other favorites are
Seussical, Big River and Ragtime. When I’m not on the road, I live in Stowe
with my husband Derrick. Recently I’ve been doing some freelance teaching,
and I’m on staff at Miracles In Motion Dance School in Boyertown.
Ralph – I was born and raised in Boyertown. From about 5th
grade on, I did every choir I could, at every level. I did musicals in Jr. &
Sr. High. I started dancing in 10th grade at Let’s Get Dancing in Boyertown.
I took private voice lessons on a scholarship with Francine Black. After
high school, I went to The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York
City, again, on a scholarship. My first regional show was 42nd Street, and I
continued on with that company to do Beauty and the Beast and Joseph and the
Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat. After that, I performed on the Holland
America Cruise Ship. Shortly after that, as I was recovering from a back
injury, I heard about the Hairspray audition.
Q : Explain ‘a day in the life’ of a performer on tour.
Latasha – On a ‘travel day’, we wake up very early, get on the
bus, drive to our next location which can sometimes be as long as 8 hours,
check into a hotel, shower, eat, go to the theater, attend company meeting,
do sound check, have a short rehearsal, do the performance, go back to the
hotel, and wake up the next day and do it all over again. Although sometimes
we stay longer at a location and get free time to do stuff like explore the
city.
Ralph – Yeah, what she said!
Q : What have been the highlights for you on this tour?
Latasha – For me, it has been seeing our country and also
seeing Japan, but also getting paid to do what I love to do.
Ralph – For me, it’s been playing Corny Collins, which is one
of the principle roles I understudy. Japan was an incredible experience. And
who else can say they can make a living accomplishing a dream?
Q : What are your ties to our community?
Latasha – My husband Derrick was hired as youth pastor at
Shepherd of the Hills Church in Bechtelsville 2 1/2 years ago. After moving
to this area, I was trying to find a dance school to hold some classes I
wanted to teach. Miracles In Motion in Boyertown answered my call and I’ve
been teaching there ever since. I also help with the theater ministry at
Shepherd of the Hills.
Ralph – As I said before, I was born and raised here. I’m
proud to say I was the first male cheerleader for our high school basketball
team and was the first junior to become captain of the varsity squad. I was
a soloist with Limelight Productions and also did children’s plays with Blue
Skies Productions, both based in Boyertown. If and when I return to
Boyertown, I would hope to work with them again.
 Q : What’s the hardest part of being on tour?
Latasha – It’s being away from my husband, and living on a
bus/hotel.
Ralph – It’s hard for me to not be in control of certain
aspects such as where I eat and sleep, and I do miss my family and friends.
But I do love being on the road.
Q : What will you do when this tour is over?
Latasha – I’ll continue to audition for more work so I can
acquire my equity card [belong to an actor’s union].
Ralph – I want to get an agent and push as hard as I can to
get a job on Broadway and to move to the next level of my career. My goal is
“Broadway by age 23”!
Q : What can you bring back to Boyertown as a result of being on this
tour?
Latasha – I’m bringing back what I learn from being a
performer and passing it on to other aspiring singers and dancers.
Ralph – I love the idea of sharing my story because I was on
my way to med school, but this was my dream and I went for it and was
supported by people who love me. Now when I come home to visit, I am given
opportunities to speak to our youth about my career. I like to motivate them
and encourage them to strive for their dreams!
Career dreams can come true. I think this type of future can belong to any
of the music and dance students here in our area; it’s not just reserved for
“big city life.” Many have gone on to pursue careers in the arts. Latasha
and Ralph followed their dreams and are working hard to make them come true.
It is an honor to know them and be able to share their experiences. We are a
town rich in talent and quite proud of it!
See Latasha & Ralph’s bios and learn more about the tour by visiting
www.hairsprayontour.com.
About the Author: Dawn Haas-Rhude is owner and director of Miracles In
Motion Dance School, founder and director of The Boyertown Community Ballet
Company, Interim Director of Limelight Productions and has more than 30
years of experience in dance and performing arts. |
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