Little Inez Gets Big Voice: Kaila Symone Crowder on Hairspray and Broadway Debut

It doesn’t take one being a musical connoisseur to remember being completely content with John Travolta’s role as Edna Turnblad, the mother of the bubbly and passionate Tracy Turnblad in the 2007 film adaptation of the 2002 Broadway musical Hairspray. While there was no question as to who was under the wig, dress, and soft and fluffy character, the role, somehow, was perfectly written for and portrayed by the Saturday Night Fever two-stepper. Be it on screen or on the stage, Hairspray, the energetic musical bursting with song and dance, isn’t just a celebration of big hair and catchy tunes. Though undeniably entertaining, the story tackles serious issues with surprising depth, making it a cultural touchstone that continues to resonate today. Kaila Symone Crowder | Photo courtesy of The Vokol Group On its surface, the Tony Award-winning play follows Tracy Turnblad, a plus-size teenager in 1960s Baltimore, who dreams of dancing on the televised Corny Collins Show. As Tracy pursues her passion, she challenges racial segregation and beauty standards on the show, sparking a movement for integration and acceptance. A social commentary disguised as fun, Hairspray, wrapped in its vibrant costumes and upbeat music, is a powerful message of equality....