If you’re in the mood for a big Broadway-type show, your first thought might be to head into the Loop. Trust me, you don’t have to. Between now and Feb. 21, go to Aurora - that’s where you’ll be blown away by "Hairspray – The Broadway Musical," a fun, colorful, energetic production at the Paramount Theatre which brought a packed crowd to its feet Saturday night.

"Hairspray" is based on the 1988 movie by director John Waters, which featured an eclectic cast, including Sonny Bono, Divine and a young Ricki Lake. A 2007 movie remake with Queen Latifah, Christopher Walken and John Travolta was based on the 2002 stage musical, which won eight Tonys, including best musical, score and book of a musical.

Amber Mak, director/choreographer of the Paramount production, clearly has excellent source material to work with, but she’s also blessed with a very talented ensemble, starting with Amelia Jo Parish as the heroine of the tale, Tracy Turnblad. Tracy is a plus-size Baltimore teenager in 1962 with big dreams and a positive attitude evident from the enjoyable opening number, “Good Morning Baltimore,” in which she sings and smiles at everything, even rodents (“The rats on the street all dance around my feet”). And remote-controlled rats do move quickly near her.

Tracy’s favorite after-school TV show is a locally produced dance program, “The Corny Collins Show,” which features a variety of non-plus-size white teenagers, including the handsome, but out-of-reach, Link Larkin (Henry McGinniss). Tracy’s a talented dancer, and when one of the female teens bows out, she's determined this is her big chance.

With the encouragement of her novelty store owner father and “triple-E” sized seamstress mother (Michael Ehlers and Michael Kingston, respectively), as well as her best friend Penny (Landree Fleming), she fights discrimination on two fronts: weight (should her size prevent her from being on TV or finding a boyfriend?) and race (why can’t white and black people dance together?).

Edna Turnblad, Tracy’s mother, is traditionally played by a man (e.g., Travolta). Here, Kingston is a hoot as Edna, a character who’s been too embarrassed by her weight to leave the house, but who realizes — thanks to Tracy — that times are changing.

The song “Welcome to the '60s” is not only catchy, it’s also a chance for the characters of Parish and Kingston to bond. “You’re Timeless to Me” is a sweet second-act duet by Kingston and Ehlers as a couple whose love is still strong after many years. Kudos to both for not missing a beat after a wall being moved during a set change got stuck and they were forced to take a 15-minute break right before their song.

A large part of the reason Tracy succeeds in getting on TV is the dance steps she learns from Seaweed J. Stubbs (played by gifted dancer/actor Gilbert Domally), a black student she meets while in detention. Seaweed is the son of Motormouth Maybelle, the host of the monthly “Negro Day” on “The Corny Collins Show.” As played by six-time Jefferson Award-winner E. Faye Butler, Motormouth is a powerhouse of a character with a strong voice that easily reaches the last row. The anthem-like “I Know Where I’ve Been” prompted a loud outpouring of applause.

There’s a lot more to praise here, including the full orchestra ably directed by Tom Vendafreddo, the beautiful costumes designed by Theresa Ham, the well-choreographed production numbers, the set design (e.g., 10 black-and-white TV monitors with 1960s commercials before the show and during intermission) and the storyline in which Baltimore race relations are better by the end of the show (something present-day Baltimore has struggled with). But in short, for an enjoyable night of laughs, songs you’ll hum as you leave and memorable performances, "Hairspray" is worth brushing, er, rushing off to see.

• Paul Lockwood is a past president of TownSquare Players (TSP) and an occasional community theater actor in McHenry County, appearing in more than two dozen plays and musicals since he and his wife moved to Woodstock 15 years ago. Recent productions in which he’s acted include "The Drowsy Chaperone" and "A Christmas Carol" (2014) at the Woodstock Opera House.

“HAIRSPRAY”

WHEN: Through Feb. 21

WHERE: Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora

COST & INFO: Tracy Turnblad is a plus-size teen with plus-size hair, and she has one big plus-size dream – to dance her way onto Baltimore's smash hit TV show, "The Corny Collins Show." Tickets range in price from $41 to $56. For showtimes and tickets, visit www.paramountaurora.com.