Hairspray - Youth Theatre Northwest

Youth Theatre Northwest (YTN) continues its 28th school season of exuberant and youthful storytelling with a Broadway musical phenomenon. Hairspray opens Friday, January 27 and performs through February 12, 2012. Hairspray is directed by Isiah Anderson, Jr. with musical direction by Heather MacLaughlin Garbes and choreography by Ashley FitzSimmons. Hairspray’s book was written by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, with Music by Marc Shaiman, and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman.

Description:

Hairspray delights audiences by sweeping you away to 1960’s Baltimore, where the ‘50s are out -- and change is in the air. Loveable plus-size heroine, Tracy Turnblad, has a passion for dancing and wins a spot on the local TV dance program, “The Corny Collins Show.” Overnight she finds herself transformed from outsider to teen celebrity. Can a larger-than-life adolescent manage to vanquish the program’s reigning princess, integrate the television show, and find true love (singing and dancing all the while, of course!) without mussing her hair?

Don't miss Hairspray! This Broadway musical-comedy phenomenon inspired a major motion picture and won eight 2003 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. As The New York Times says, “If life were everything it should be, it would be more like Hairspray. It’s irresistible!”

Hairspray is best for ages 8+.

Hairspray performs on YTN’s Mainstage January 27 – February 12, 2012; Fridays and Saturday evenings at 7:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:00 pm. Youth Theatre Northwest is located at 8805 S.E. 40th Street on Mercer Island. Tickets are $17 for adults and $15 for youth/seniors for the January 27th Opening Night Gala, which includes an intermission dessert buffet. All other performances are $15 for adults and $13 for youth/seniors. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Box Office at (206) 232-4145, ext. 109, or online by visiting www.youththeatre.org.

Showtimes:

• Fridays at 7 p.m.
• Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
• Sundays at 2 p.m.

About Hairspray:

The story of Hairspray began in 1988 as a comedy film written and directed by screen visionary John Waters and starring Ricki Lake, Sonny Bono, Debbie Harry, and Divine. Hairspray was a dramatic departure from Waters' earlier films, with a much broader intended audience. Hairspray was only a moderate success upon its initial release. However, it managed to attract a larger audience on home video in the early 1990s and quickly became a cult classic.

Theatre producer Margo Lion first conceived of Hairspray as a stage musical in 1998 after seeing a television broadcast of the original film. She contacted John Waters, who gave her his blessing, and then acquired the rights from New Line Cinema.

After a tryout at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre, Hairspray opened on Broadway at the Neil Simon Theatre on August 15, 2002. Hairspray received Tony Award nominations in 12 categories, winning eight, including for best musical, book, score and direction. Marissa Winokur (Tracy), Harvey Fierstein (Edna) and Dick Latessa (Wilbur) received awards for their performances. The production ran for more than six years, closing on January 4, 2009 after 2,642 performances.

The Cast & Production Team:

The cast of Hairspray features some of Youth Theatre’s brightest young talent. The cast of 30 actors are from Mercer Island, Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond, Issaquah and Newcastle.

Hairspray comes to life through the creative talents of its dynamic production team; including Scenic Designer Brian Jackson, Lighting Designer Chris Frickland, Costume Design by Janessa Styck, Properties by Amanda Lee Williams and Stage Management by Michael Yakovich.

About Youth Theatre:

Youth Theatre Northwest nurtures the intellectual, artistic, and personal development of children and youth through drama, education, performing opportunities, and live theatre experiences. YTN is both theatre and school, providing a wide range of classes and programs designed to further theatrical learning, initiate creative play, and stimulate intrapersonal development for children and young adults age 3-18. At its 200 seat theatre on Mercer Island, YTN produces 12 shows annually. Additionally, YTN offers classes to Puget Sound students and offers outreach programs to schools and libraries throughout the region. Youth Theatre Northwest will continue its 2011 – 2012 season with a production of Urinetown: The Musical, performing March 9-25, 2012.

For a full season line-up, visit www.youththeatre.org.