Marriott Theatre's HAIRSPRAY Begins Previews Today and Opens 9/30

The Marriott Theatre continues its highly acclaimed 2009 season with HAIRSPRAY, the show the New York Post calls "A great big fat gorgeous hit!" This all-new production of the Tony Award-winning international phenomenon explodes onto the Marriott Theatre stage September 23rd. Direct from Broadway, where it played for over 2,500 performances, the production begins previews September 23rd, opens Wednesday, September 30th at 8 p.m., and runs through December 6th, 2009. Chicagoland favorite and multiple Jeff Award winner Marc Robin (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Full Monty), has been tapped to direct and choreograph.

"You Can't Stop the Beat" to this family friendly show that is piled bouffant-high with laughter, romance and full of enough deliriously tuneful songs to fill a non-stop platter party. Set in Baltimore in 1962, HAIRSPRAY is the story of pleasantly plump teen, Tracy Turnblad, who does whatever it takes to fulfill her lifelong dream of appearing on the popular Corny Collins Show. But can this 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 fabulous 'do? Only in HAIRSPRAY! "Welcome to the '60s!"

HAIRSPRAY, which won eight Tony awards including Best Musical, and inspired the 2007 blockbuster feature film, features music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, and a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan. The score's upbeat, oldies-inspired songs which include "You Can't Stop the Beat," "Welcome to the 60's," and "Hairspray" will have audiences dancing in the aisles.

HAIRSPRAY serves up an all-star cast and leading the pack is Marriott Theatre and Chicagoland favorite Ross Lehman (Hot Mikado, The Producers) as Edna Turnblad. Marissa Perry as Tracy Turnblad and Constantine Rousouli as Link Larkin come to the Marriott Theatre fresh off the Broadway stage, having just closed the New York production of HAIRSPRAY. The Marriott's production also stars Heidi Kettenring as Penny Pingleton, Johanna Mckenzie Miller as Amber Von Tussle, Hollis Resnick as Velma Von Tussle, Gene Weygandt as Wilbur Turnblad, Bernie Yvon as Corney Collins, Josh Breckenridge as Seaweed J. Stubs and E. Faye Butler as Motormouth Maybelle.

Featured in this production are Scott Calcagno, Caitlainne Rose Gurreri, Danielle G. Herbert, Brandon Koller, Christian Libonati, Catherine Lord, CessaLee Martinez, Benjamin Mapp, Vanessa Panarossa, Danielle Plisz, Max Quinlan, Matt Raftery, Ryan Reilly, Jazmine Reynolds, Laura Scheinbaum, Leslie Taylor, Travis Turner and Demi Zaino.

Lead Artistic Director Andy Hite heads the artistic team for HAIRSPRAY, with Musical Direction by Ryan T. Nelson, Sound Design by Robert E. Gilmartin III, Costume Design by Michael Bottari and Ronald Case, Wig Design by Gerard Kelly, Set Design by Tomas M. Ryan, Properties Design by Sally Weiss, and Lighting Design by Diane Ferry Williams. Patti Garwood conducts the Marriott Theatre orchestra.

The performance schedule for all shows is Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Ticket prices are $45.00, excluding tax and handling fees. A $5.00 discount for students and seniors is valid for all performances excluding Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. With the purchase of a $55 ticket on Wednesdays or Thursdays, dinner is included at the King's Wharf Restaurant or the Fairfield Inn (based on dining availability). Dinners on Friday, Saturday and Sunday range from $32 - $43 per person (includes tax). Free parking is available at all performances. To reserve tickets with a major credit card, call the Marriott Theatre Box Office at 847.634.0200 or visit www.MarriottTheatre.com for more information.

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