Get ready for something really big with Hairspray, Broadway’s musical-comedy phenomenon. This larger-than-life production bursts onto the stage in Cambridge for a four-week run from March 14 to April 8.
Hairspray marks the first production in Drayton Entertainment’s 2018 season, as well as the first production to be performed in the recently renamed Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge (formerly Dunfield Theatre Cambridge).
“We are extremely excited to bring this dazzling, upbeat musical to our audiences in Cambridge,” said Alex Mustakas, artistic director of Drayton Entertainment.
“With its terrific songs, show-stopping dance routines and uplifting story, Hairspray is an exciting and heart-warming theatre experience for audiences of all ages.”
Based on John Water’s cult classic film, Hairspray tells the story of pleasantly plump heroine Tracy Turnblad, who dreams of dancing on “The Corny Collins Show,” a popular prime-time television program in 1960s Baltimore.
Against all odds, Tracy wins a coveted spot on the dance show, and overnight is transformed from social outcast to irrepressible teen celebrity. She soon falls head-over-heels for the handsome male star, Link Larkin, the boyfriend of teen queen Amber Von Tussle. But can this loveable plus-size trendsetter vanquish the program’s reigning princess, win the heart of the heartthrob, and integrate a television show, all without denting her ‘do?
This fun, bubbly musical is brought to life on stage by director and choreographer David Connolly.
Connolly is joined by music director Steve Lavoie, set designer David Boechler, costume coordinator Julia Holbert, and lighting designer Jeff JohnstonCollins.
Stephanie Pitsiladis portrays the lovable heroine Tracy Turnblad. With her big voice and winning smile, Pitsiladis is sure to be an instant audience favourite, theatre officials say. Pitsiladis has played Tracy in several productions of Hairspray across Canada and recently appeared in Grease in Toronto.
Audience favourite Wade Lynch brings his sharp comic timing and grandiose stage presence to the role of Tracy’s hilarious plus-sized mother Edna Turnblad, while Larry Mannell is Tracy’s goofy and devoted father Wilbur.
David Cotton takes on the role of teenage dream Link Larkin, the male star on the “Corny Collins Show.”
Laura Mae Nason is Tracy’s quirky best friend Penny Pingleton. Jeremy Carver-James brings his soaring voice and smooth moves to the role of Seaweed J. Stubbs, a hip and kind-hearted “Negro Day” dancer who falls in love with Penny.
Justin Stadnyk brings charisma and finesse to the role of Corny Collins, host of the trendy TV dance show.
Newcomer Chelsea Preston channels her best mean girl as Amber Von Tussle, resident princess of “The Corny Collins Show,” while Jackie Mustakas is back to her wicked ways as Velma Von Tussle, Amber’s scheming mother, who pushes her daughter to seek the stardom that she never had.
Keisha T. Fraser makes her Drayton Entertainment debut as Motormouth Maybelle, the “big, blonde and beautiful” owner of a downtown record shop and the host of “Negro Day” on “The Corny Collins Show.”
Vanessa Cobham as Pearl, Tiffany Deriveau as Cindy, and Antonette Rudder as Peaches are The Dynamites trio – a Motown-style girl group inspired by The Supremes.
Charlotte Moore, Gerrad Everard, Catarina Ciccone, Sam DiGiuseppe, Malcom Messado Fletcher, George McLeary, Christopher Scott, Sarah Vance, Robin Warwick and Jesse Weafer round out the cast.
Tickets to Hairspray can be purchased in person at the Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge, online at www.draytonentertainment.com or by calling the box office at 519-621-8000 or toll free at 1-855-drayton (372-9866).
