SRO and CATCO's HAIRSPRAY to Play thru 3/10 at Shedd Theatre

SRO Theatre Company in association CATCO is Theatre presents Hairspray, staged February 22 - March 10, 2013, at the Shedd Theatre in the Columbus Performing Arts Center, 549 Franklin Avenue, Columbus, OH.

This Tony Award and Drama Desk Award-winning musical, featuring 1960s style dance music, follows Tracy Turnblad, a kind-hearted teenager who has a passion for dance and a desire for a spot on a local TV dance show. Her dream achieved, she uses her newfound celebrity to try to win the heart of handsome Link Larkin and racially integrate the TV program. This musical, with book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, is based on the 1988 film Hairspray written by John Waters.

Hairspray is directed by Joe Bishara (AEA), Associate Producing Director of CATCO, with musical direction by Matt Clemens (AEA), choreography by Liz Wheeler, and costume design by Debbie Hamrick.

Principal actors are Logan Eva Rathmann (Tracy Turnblad), Christopher Storer (Corny Collins), Frank A. Barnhart (AEA) (Edna Turnblad), Alexa Joy Rybinski (Penny Pingleton), Linda Kinnison Roth (Velma Von Tussle), Nikki Nathan (Amber Von Tussle), Cody Michael Shope (Link Larkin), Anthony Dunning (Seaweed J. Stubbs), Kalea Lucas (Little Inez), Wilma Hatton (Motormouth Maybelle), and Don Knoblauch (Wilbur Turnblad).

Other cast members include Amy Debevoise (Prudy Pingleton), Bruce Huffman (Gym Teacher/Mr. Spritzer/Guard), Ashley Woodard-Frisch (Matron), Gabriel Garnes (Gilbert), Brennan Johnson (Stooie), Aujolie M. Baker (Cindy Watkins), Alex Lanier (Lorraine), LaRon Lee Hudson (Duane), ChrisTina Turner (Judine- Dynamite), Mia Widjaja (Kamilah-Dynamite), Alicia Smith (Shayna-Dynamite), Isabel Machado (Tammy), James Sargent (Brad/Principal/Guard), Taryn Huffman (Frieda [Fender]), Jordan Shafer (Brenda), Grace Burkhart (Sketch), Olivia Poling (Shelley), CJ Chapman (IQ/Mr. Pinky), Catherine Huffman (Lou Ann/Dance Captain), Lydia Emch (Nicest Kid in Town/Ensemble), Camilla Petrel (Nicest Kid in Town/Ensemble), Buddy Frontz (Detention Kid/Ensemble), Adriana Ridolfo (Ensemble), Deborah Chow (Ensemble), Dana Anderson (Ensemble), Monica Lander (Ensemble), Karmyn Schneider (Ensemble), and Elisabeth Zimmerman (Ensemble).

Joe Bishara has worked across the Midwestern United States as an actor, director, producer, and administrator. His favorite directing credits include Cinderella (with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra), The Spitfire Grill, Bat Boy, and Chess: In Concert. He is a proud member of Actors' Equity Association.

Matt Clemens performed on Broadway in the revival of LES MISERABLES after seven years on the Broadway National Tour as swing/dance captain. Throughout his career, he has worked as director, actor, singer, conductor, pianist, music director, and composer. He is an Actors' Equity Association member.

Liz Wheeler holds a BFA in Acting with an emphasis in Musical Theater from Wright State University. Liz has won five Theatre Roundtable Awards in multiple categories and a Columbus Critics Circle Best Actress award. She has choreographed professionally for SRO, CATCO, Phoenix Theater for Children, and Wright State University.

Debbie Hamrick is the owner of Debbie's Costume Shop in Lewis Center, Ohio. She has costumed many local high school, community theater, and church productions. Most recent productions are Titanic and Jekyll and Hyde (Curtain Players), Little Mermaid (Dublin Sciota), and Songs from Shows and Beauty and the Beast (Worthington Christian HS).

Show times for Hairspray are 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 22; 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 23; 2 p.m. on Sunday, February 24; 10:30 a.m. (sold out) and 8:00 p.m. on Friday, March 1, 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 2; 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 3; 8:00 p.m. on Friday, March 8; 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 9; and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 10.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $17 for seniors (55+), $15 for SRO members, $10 for students, and $15 for adults and seniors for the 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 1 performance (sold out). Tickets can be purchased by going to the website at www.srotheatre.org. Discounted group tickets (10+ people) are available. For group sales, call 614-258-9495.

SRO is a semi-professional theatre company committed to artistic excellence. The company offers main-stage productions and touring shows as well as outreach and educational programs. The mission of SRO is to enrich the lives of others, to contribute to the richness of the community, and to celebrate our ingenuity, creativity, and productivity. For more information, visit www.srotheatre.org.

Theatre is a shared experience that illuminates the mysteries of our humanity. Its magic has the power to transform us whether on stage, in the classroom, or in our diverse communities. CATCO creates theatre that delights, challenges, and transports. For more information, go to www.catco.org.

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