There is a buzz on the the streets of 1962 Baltimore and Tracy Turnblad is at the center of it all. Tracy and her best friend Penny are obsessed with "The Corny Collins Show," where they dance along to the music and swoon over teen heartthrob Link. When a spot opens to be a featured dancer on the show, Tracy finds a way to the audition, only to be rejected.
Welcome to "Hairspray," a story rich with themes about individuality, empowerment, and standing up for what's right, all set against a backdrop of social change. Though the show tackles serious topics such as prejudice and body-shaming, there is an abundance of positivity thanks to the optimism of the characters, the humor within the script, and the relentless energy of the music.
"Hairspray" thrilled audiences on Broadway and around the world with its energy, positivity, and toe-tapping music when it premiered in 2002. Based on the 1988 film by John Waters, it won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and spawned a musical movie in 2007. The Woodland Hills High School Department of the Performing Arts is excited to bring the show to the Thomas G. Crone Auditorium for two weekends of shows. The curtain rises with Patron's Night on Thursday, April 25. Ticketed shows will take place on Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26 at 8 p.m., with an additional matinee at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
The show resumes the following week with 8 p.m. performances on Thursday, May 1, Friday, May 2, and Saturday, May 3, as well as a matinee at 2 p.m. on May 3. Tickets are available online via https://whhs.ludus.com/index.php?sections=events.
Woodland Hills High School's production of "Hairspray" stars Livia Rocco as Tracy Turnblad, Liam Blaney as Edna Turnblad, Tomasso Scuoteguazza as Wilbur Turnblad, Arianna Gaiter and Olivia Davidson as Motormouth Maybelle, Hayden Crum and Noelle Brubaker as Velma Von Tussle/Principal, Leo Alfieri as Corny Collins, Adam Steiner and Robert Felt as Link Larkin/IQ, Olivia Safran and Mackenzie McPherson as Penny Pingleton, Sonny Davis and Devontez Moses as Seaweed J. Stubbs, Giavonna Zinn and Aubrie Moon as Amber Von Tussle, Jae Saunders as Prudy Pringleton, and Adore McFadden as Little Inez.
The cast also features Isaac Lott as Brad, Summer Curtright as Tammy, Luke DeVore as Fender, Caitlin Burke as Brenda, Richard Master as Sketch, Caroline Elston as Shelly, Emily Pollitt as Lou Ann, Ruslan Connelly as Harriman F. Spritzer, Cayden Bristow as Mr. Pinky, and Sabrina Bender and Lauren Hamer as the Gym Teacher/Matron. Aryana Booker-Gamez, Zari Rue, Alexia Abernathy, and Calise Cowans appear as The Dynamites.
Additional members of the ensemble include Elizabeth Ansell, Ty'Azia Burton, Delaney Cass, Nevaeh Cauley, Kymaura Edmondson, William Ferguson, Samyra Fedop, Janiyah Ford-Jones, Payton Frederick, Sanai Hamilton, Amira Henderson-Thomas, Lamar Johnson, Cameron Peretti, Payton Sarafis, TT Sallie-Nelson, Eleanor Willson, and Jamel Wynn.
The show is directed by Thomas G. Crone and executive produced by Larry George. Adult crew members include music director Alicia Scaramuzzo, choreographers Ashley Harmon and Joseph Nickel, co-producer/assistant director/properties manager Robert Carr, stage manager Jamie Glasser, lighting designer Madeleine Steineck, sound designer Joseph Slick, scenic designers Mike Sidorovich, Laura Valenti, and Carmella DeVore, and costume designers Darcy O'Neil and Riley O'Neil.
The student director is Payton Frederick, student stage managers are Mackenna Matthews and Owen Reeder, and student producer is Giavonna Zinn. Reeder and Matthews served as student leaders and crew captains alongside Carmella DeVore (student scenic designer) and Lillian Divelbiss (lighting captain). Underclassmen student leaders included Colton Matthews, Beckett Ciocco, and Roo Horst.
The original book for the Broadway show is by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, with music by Marc Shaiman, and lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman. "Hairspray" is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International.
