South Bend Civic Theatre Presents HAIRSPRAY!

South Bend Civic Theatre hits the dance floor in 1962 Baltimore for Hairspray, the blockbuster musical the New York Times called "as sweet as a show can be without causing tooth decay." Plucky plus-size teen Tracy Turnblad chases her dream of appearing on her favorite TV dance show, overcoming prejudice, segregation and those who feel "inappropriate hair height" is grounds for detention. Filled with exuberant musical numbers and delightful characters, Hairspray offers not only fun and laughs but a sincere heartfelt message of being accepted for who you are and breaking barriers with optimism and a song. The Chicago Tribune hailed Hairspray as "that rare blend of irreverent satire and warm-heartedness that you can't help but embrace."

Director Sara Bartlett with choreographer Karen Pajor and music director Conner Stigner (heading a live orchestra) set the beat for an energetic cast sure to get toes tappin' and spirits dancing. Featured are Kacie Mercer as Tracy Turnblad, Jonathan Beck as Edna Turnblad, Jim Jones as Wilbur Turnblad, MaryBeth Saunders as Velma Von Tussle, Taylor Calderone as Amber Von Tussle, Madeline Eastman as Penny Pingleton, Dominic Go as Link Larkin, Brandon Harper as Seaweed, Sheila LeSure as Motormouth Maybelle, and Jared Wagner as Corny Collins; with Troi Adams, Leslie Ann Boyden, Elizabeth Carian, Silas Chester, Charles Coleman, Addyson Culpepper, Garrett Czosnowski, Terrilyn Dennie, Shari Fretz-Rice, NaTonya Gathright, Samuel Green, Katie Kuhner, Jovanti Lewis, Molly Lewis, Kelly Morgan, Zoe Morgan, Adam Noecker, Melanie Orr, Sophie Plunkett, Alex Siebert, Meaghan Sullivan, Savannah Teller, Jeremy Weyer and Kalyn Whitaker rounding out the ensemble.

The tuneful music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman feature such hits as "Good Morning Baltimore," "Timeless to Me" "Welcome to the 60's" and "You Can't Stop the Beat." The book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan gives life to wonderful characters such as determined unlikely heroine Tracy, her big-hearted (and just plain big) mother Edna, hunky dreamboat Link Larkin, mousy Penny Pingleton, smooth dancing Seaweed J. Stubbs, sassy Motormouth Maybelle, and villainess former "Miss Baltimore Crabs" Velma Von Tussle. The musical has become an international phenomenon since it premiered in 2002 and is one of the most popular titles running.

Performances are on the Wilson Mainstage at South Bend Civic Theatre July 22nd through August 7th. Show times are 7:30 Wednesday and Thursday, 8:00 Friday and Saturday and 3:00 Sunday. Ticket prices are $20 Friday and Saturdays, $18 for Sundays, and $16 for Wednesday and Thursday. Special offer for Tuesday July 26th 7:30 performance - a family four-pack of tickets for just $52 (a savings of $12). Tickets can be purchased either by calling the Box Office 574-234-1112 or in person Monday through Friday from 12-6 at 403 North Main St. or online by visiting www.sbct.org.

Hearing assistance devices are available for patrons and the theatre is wheelchair accessible. Please let the box office know at time of ticket reservation if accommodations are needed.

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