Jan 17
Returning to Boston, Actor Greg Kalafatas Dons a Housedress to Play 'Hairspray's' Edna Turnblad this Weekend
Steve Duffy READ TIME: 7 MIN.
Growing up in Boston, Greg Kalafatas always dreamed of playing the Emerson Colonial Theatre – the iconic venue where he often saw touring Broadway shows. Come this Friday, that dream comes true as he stars in the touring production of "Hairspray" that runs in the theater from Friday through Sunday. (For ticket information, follow this link.)
In this spiffy revival that played the Citizens Bank Opera House in October 2022, Kalafatas plays Edna Turnblad, the plus-size Baltimore housewife whose daughter Tracy dreams of appearing on a local teen dance tv show in the early 1960s. The musical, which appeared on Broadway in 2002, is based on John Waters 1988 comedy. It was the director's most mainstream film and biggest hit. It was also his final collaboration with Divine, the alter-ego of late actor Harris Glenn Milstead, who was the queen of 1980s underground film. On Broadway, Edna was played by Harvey Fierstein in a Tony-winning turn.
When this touring "Hairspray" first played Boston, Kalafatas played various supporting roles (including Mr. Pinky) and understudied the roles of Edna and her husband, Wilbur; but at the Emerson Colonial he has moved up to the lead. Over his career, he has appeared in tours of "Something Rotten!" and "The Drowsy Chaperone," as well as numerous roles in musicals at Arizona Broadway Theatre, including "Oliver!," "Mary Poppins," "The Little Mermaid," "The Producers," and "Young Frankenstein."
EDGE spoke to Kalafatas about his return to Boston, what makes "Hairspray" such a great musical, and how he relates to Edna.
EDGE: Welcome home! How does it feel to be performing in your hometown?
Greg Kalafatas: It's amazing. We were in Boston for two weeks last year but performed at the Citizen's Bank Opera House. I had never played the Emerson Colonial before, and I am very excited. I moved to New York in 2004 right when the Opera House opened, so I never really saw shows there growing up. I always went to either the Emerson Colonial or the Wang. To be performing at the Colonial where I grew up seeing shows is a dream come true. It's an amazing theater and I'm excited to see the new renovation. All my friends and family are coming to see the show, so it will be a really good time.
EDGE: Can you tell me what it is about "Hairspray" that made you want to be a part of it?
Greg Kalafatas: I saw the original cast back in 2003 when I was in college. I had gone down to New York for spring break and my professor had gotten tickets for a group of us. I just loved it. I grew up listening to Oldies 103 in the car with my parents. That station was pretty much on all the time. The music is so good, and you can hum along to everyone. It is a well constructive show. It's paced well. The book is good. It's funny. There's no real bad scene or bad song in the whole show. After seeing it, I just remember thinking that I really wanted to be a part of it.
EDGE: Is Edna a role that you have envisioned playing?
Greg Kalafatas: Oh yes! I've been auditioning for this part for years. It's been one of my dream roles. I did it once at the Seacoast Repertory Theater in Portsmouth NH back in 2011, which was a lot of fun. To be able to finally perform it with the original choreography, original direction, and original costumes is really great.
