Wouldn't it be cool to simply roll your eyes in just the right way and an entire audience erupts in gotta-run-to-the-bathroom laughter?
That's Matthew Arter. He plays the role of "Edna Turnbald" in the Garden Theatre's production of the musical "Hairspray." Yep, that's that buxom woman John Travolta played in the 2007 film.
"(Arter's) a terrific actor," said Rob Winn Anderson, who directed and choreographed the show. "He's able to bring his, sorta, own flare to the role, as well. So, I think audiences are going to be surprised and delighted by him."
"I have a wonderful director," Arter started, and went on to joke, "who moves me to the side of the stage -- the outside -- where I stand and watch these talented people dance around me."
Naw, Edna's got moves, folks. But when we meet her, she doesn't really get outside much. She runs a laundry business out of her home, which inspired a -- let's call it -- a signature move.
"I do a lot of ironing," Arter demo-ed. "I do a lot of ironing, which is kind of a twisting move."
But someone who does have a signature move is Edna's daughter "Tracy Turnbald," played by Hannah Berry Matthews.
"They call it 'The Peyton Place After Midnight,'" Matthews said. "It's pretty easy." Click on the VIDEO up top for a demo.
Matthews and Arter are actually real-life close friends, which helped the show director with his biggest job: casting.
"As soon as I saw them together, the chemistry was jus there," he smiled, almost with a sigh of relief. "It was just exactly what this show needed, so, they had it."
Read on for details straight from the Garden Theatre:
The Garden Theatre proudly presents Hairspray showing April 25 to May 25. Shows are Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. (160 W. Plant St.). Several performance dates will feature celebrity walk-on roles. Directed by Rob Winn Anderson, Hairspray has a cast of over 30 actors, singers and dancers from across the Central Florida area.
Hairspray takes place in 1962 and follows a lovable plus-size teen, Tracy Turnblad, who wants more than anything to dance on the popular Corny Collins Show. Once her dream comes true, Tracy's new-found stardom brings the power to dethrone the reigning Teen Queen, win the affections of heartthrob Link Larkin and, with a positive and uplifting message of acceptance, integrate a TV network.
Principal Cast:
Tracy Turnblad - Hannah Berry Matthews
Edna Turnblad - Matthew Arter
Link Larkin - Daniel Longacre
Amber Von Tussle - Leigh Green
Penny Pingleton - Taylor Anderson
Seaweed J. Stubbs - Victor Souffrant
Motormouth Maybelle - Melissa Vasquez / Desiree Perez
Velma Von Tussle - Sarah-lee Dobbs
Corny Collins - Billy Flanigan
Little Inez - Jasmine Forsberg
Wilbur Turnblad - Keith Smith
Additional Cast: CK Anderson, Emile Doles, Marissa Enyart, Khalèya Graham, George Green, Sarah Huff, Rahjanique Locklear, Spencer Morrow, Yanette Moyano, Tara Osborne, Austin Paz, Desiree Perez, Erin Peugh, Dustin Russell, Brooke Schellpfeffer, Nathaniel Stiger, Samantha Uhrig, Tami Uhrig, Andy Waldinger, Khalifa White
Tickets are $29 for adults, $25 for students and seniors, $12 for children ages 12 and under on Saturday matinees. For tickets, go to gardentheatre.org or contact the Garden Theatre Box Office at 407-877-GRDN (4736). A 15 percent military discount is available by visiting the Box Office at 160 W. Plant St., Winter Garden.
ABOUT THE GARDEN THEATRE
Located in the heart of historic downtown Winter Garden on Plant Street, the Garden Theatre is a not-for-profit community organization committed to enriching, engaging, and entertaining through creative experiences. The theatre, which reopened in 2008, showcases an atmospheric theatre in a Mediterranean Revival-style venue. The Garden Theatre hosts live plays, concerts, movies, film festivals and more to the residents of and visitors to the city of Winter Garden.