HAIRSPRAY to Open This Month at Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center

What gives a girl power and punch? Is it charm, is it poise? No it's HAIRSPRAY! Look out Simi Valley; cause You Can't Stop The Beat when the hit Broadway Musical HAIRSPRAY returns to the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center from January 16 - February 15, 2015. Performances will be at 8 pm on Friday and Saturday evenings and 2 pm Sundays with two Thursday performances on February 5 & 12 at 8 pm.

HAIRSPRAY continues to delight audiences by sweeping them away to 1960's Baltimore, where the 50's are out -- and change is in the air! It's 1962, and pleasantly plump Baltimore teen Tracy Turnblad has only one desire - to dance on the popular Corny Collins Show. When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star, but she must use her newfound power to vanquish the reigning Teen Queen, win the affections of heartthrob Link Larkin and integrate a TV network - all without denting her 'do!

SVCAC is kicking off its 20th Anniversary Season with Hairspray, followed by such blockbuster musicals as Fiddler on the Roof and ARTS' presentations of Catch Me If You Can, Into The Woods, Little Shop of Horrors, and The Addams Family as well as two undisclosed surprise shows and many concerts and special events.

Directed by Fred Helsel and Becky Castells, with musical direction by Mazie Wilson and choreography by Becky Castells, HAIRSPRAY will feature scenic design by Seth Kamenow and wig design by Gary Poirot. Lighting Design will be by Sasha Venola and Chris Grote will serve as Sound and Projection Designer and Seth Kamenow is the Production Stage Manager.

Leading the cast in the pivotal role of Tracy Turnblad is Raquel Sandler with Fred Helsel playing her mother Edna and John Dantona playing her father Wilbur. Tracy's best friend Penny Pingleton will be played by Jennifer Ridgway with Andrew Allen playing Link Larkin and Megan Maxwell playing Amber Von Tussel. Michele McRae will be playing Amber's mother Velma Von Tussel with Vincent Perez as Corny Collins, and Brittney S. Wheeler as Motormouth Mabel. Keenon Hooks will take on the role of Seaweed with Ashley Jonassaint as his sister Lil Inez. The roles of Mr. Pinky, Principal, and Harriman Spritzer will be played by Andy Mattick with MarLee Candell as Prudy Pingleton, the Gym Teacher and Prison Matron.

The Council will feature Rehyan Rivera as Fender, Tyler Joy as Brenda, Cara Kahm as Shelly, Autumn Ericson as Lou Anne, Augusto Guadardo as IQ, Kylie Vincent as Tammy, Grant Measures as Sketch and Jared Price as Brad. Amber Love, Victoria Ybarra and Brittany Vaughn will comprise the Dynamites with Amanda Mead Tatum playing Lorraine, Ismael Durant as Duane, Alexander Reaves as Gilbert, and Justin James as Stooie.

Don't miss HAIRSPRAY, Broadway's musical-comedy phenomenon that 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!" Tickets for HAIRSPRAY at SVCAC are ON SALE NOW! Admission is $24 Adults, $20 Seniors & Students, and $18 for Children.

Group rates for 10 or more are available. To order tickets go to www.simi-arts.org or call the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center Box Office at (805) 583-7900. For more information visit us on Facebook and Twitter.

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