Brooklyn Center Presents HAIRSPRAY, Opens 1/24/2010

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College proudly presents the Tony® Award-winning musical Hairspray on Sunday, January 24, 2010 at 3pm.It's time to let your hair down and dance the night away! Hairspray, Broadway's musical comedy phenomenon that inspired a major motion picture, is coming to the Walt Whitman Theatre at Brooklyn College. This fantastically fun musical, winner of eight 2003 Tony® Awards including Best Musical, celebrated over six record-breaking years during its Broadway run. And now, the people of Brooklyn will be swept away to 1960s Baltimore in this smash hit musical, piled bouffant-high with laughter and romance - and enough deliriously tuneful songs to fill a nonstop platter party. It's Hairspray, live on stage in living color!

"If life were everything it should be, it would be more like Hairspray."
-The New York Times

Everyone is raving about this delightful musical, including the critics. "A great big fat gorgeous hit," claimed Clive Barnes of the New York Post. "Completely irresistible! Get those tickets now!" declared syndicated columnist, Liz Smith. "So many numbers bring down the house, it's a wonder the theater is still standing," said Jeremy Gerard of New York Magazine.
In Hairspray it's 1962-the '50s are out and change is in the air. Baltimore's Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, has only one passion-to dance. She wins a spot on the local TV dance program, "The Corny Collins Show" and, overnight, is transformed from outsider to irrepressible teen celebrity. But can a plus-size trendsetter in dance and fashion vanquish the program's reigning princess, win the heart of heartthrob Link Larkin, and integrate a television show without denting her 'do? Only in Hairspray! Welcome to the '60s!

Hairspray is based on the New Line Cinema film written and directed by John Waters, who served as a creative consultant on the musical comedy. It features a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan. Hairspray features an original score by Academy Award-nominated Marc Shaiman (who co-wrote the music and lyrics for the acclaimed animated musical, South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut) and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. This production of Hairspray is based on Jack O'Brien's original direction and Jerry Mitchell's original choreography, recreated by Matt Lenz and Danny James Austin, respectively. Scenic design is by David Rockwell; the set coordinator is Michael Allen; costume design is by William Ivey Long; lighting design is by Kenneth Posner and Paul Miller; the sound is by Shannon Slaton; wig and hair design is by Paul Huntley; and the musical supervisor is Lon Hoyt. Hairspray is produced by NETworks Presentations. The Hairspray web site can be found at www.hairsprayontour.com.

About Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts
Founded in 1954, the mission of Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts is to present outstanding performing arts and arts education programs, reflective of Brooklyn's diverse communities, at affordable prices. Brooklyn Center's presentations explore both the classical traditions and the boldest contemporary performances, embracing the world culture that defines Brooklyn. Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts welcomes over 70,000 people to the 2,400 seat Walt Whitman Theatre each season, and boasts one of the largest arts education programs in the borough, serving schoolchildren from over 225 schools annually with its SchoolTime series.

HAIRSPRAY at Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts
Walt Whitman Theatre on the campus of Brooklyn College
2900 Campus Road, Brooklyn
(2 train to Brooklyn College/Flatbush Avenue)
Sunday, January 24, 2010 at 3pm
Tickets: $40/$30

Online orders: BrooklynCenterOnline.org
Box Office: (718) 951-4500, Tuesday - Saturday, 1PM - 6PM
Groups of 15 or more: (718) 951-4600, ext. 33
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/BrooklynCenterforthePerformingArts

Local support for Hairspray at Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts has been generously provided by Susan Marinoff.

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts' programs are made possible in part with public funding from the City of New York Department of Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts. Funding for the 2009-2010 season is provided by: Target; JP Morgan Chase; Brooklyn Community Foundation; Con Edison; National Grid; TD Bank; Macy's; The Harkness Foundation for Dance; Air Jamaica; the Carnegie Corporation of New York; and the Lila Acheson Wallace Theater Fund, established in the New York Community Trust by founders of The Reader's Digest Association. Additional support provided by CNG Publications, The Brooklyn Eagle, and WBGO. Marriott New York LaGuardia Airport is the official hotel of Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts 2009-2010 season. Backstage catering is graciously provided by Bettina Harris of The Corn Bread Diner and by Applebee's.

Brooklyn Center acknowledges the support of Assemblymembers Karim Camara, Steven H. Cymbrowitz, Rhoda Jacobs, Alan Maisel, Joan L. Millman, N. Nick Perry, Annette Robinson, and Helene E. Weinstein, members of the Brooklyn Delegation to the New York State Assembly, and New York State Senators Martine Malavé Dilan, Kevin S. Parker, and John L. Sampson. Special thanks to Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, Councilman Domenic M. Recchia, Jr. Councilmembers Kendall B. Stewart and Albert Vann, and Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate D. Levin.

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