Laguna Playhouse presents the First Show of 2017-2018 & 98th Season: HAIRSPRAY

GOOD MORNING, LAGUNA BEACH! Laguna Playhouse is thrilled to announce the first show in the Laguna Playhouse 2017-2018 and 98th season with the effervescent musical, HAIRSPRAY, book by Thomas Meehan and Mark O'Donnell, music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, musical direction by Michael A Ferrara and directed and choreographed by Paula Hammons Sloan. "We are opening our season with just the perfect show for a Laguna Beach Summer," comments Laguna Playhouse Executive Director Ellen Richard. Adds Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham "We welcome Paula Hammons Sloan and the "nicest kids in town" back to our stage for this nostalgic musical confection. Talent abounds on our stage this Summer!" HAIRSPRAY will begin previews on Wednesday, July 5; will open on Sunday, July 9 at 5:30pm and will run through Sunday, July 30, 2017 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

It's 1962 and Hairspray's big, bold heroine Tracy Turnblad twists, ponys and mashed potatoes her way to Baltimore stardom, while fighting for integration on a local TV dance show. Winner of eight Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Score, and Best Book, HAIRSPRAY knocks your bobby socks off with spectacular songs, energetic dancing, and an uplifting story for all ages!

ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM

PAULA HAMMONS SLOAN (Director & Choreography) is pleased to be returning to Laguna Playhouse to direct and choreograph this production of Hairspray having served as Director/Choreographer for the production of Footloose and choreographer on All Shook Up. Her work as Director/Choreographer and Master Teacher has been recognized nationally for almost 40 years. Ms. Sloan has directed or choreographed numerous National Tours including: Music Man, Cabaret, Bye Bye Birdie, Little Women, Urban Cowboy, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Copacabana, Funny Girl, George M, Singin' in the Rain, Titanic, My One and Only, Crazy for You and The Unsinkable Molly Brown. Having mounted several productions at the Tropicana Resort and Casino and Resorts in Atlantic City she also directed and choreographed Miracle on 34th Street (Jersey Shore Entertainment) on the West Coast and at the Tropicana Resort and Casino. She was choreographer for Jekyll and Hyde and Singin' in the Rain for the Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino Broadway Series in Atlantic City, which also played for an extended run at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood Florida. Ms. Sloan has directed and choreographed regionally including, Kansas City Starlight (The Producers, Anything Goes), Casa Manana (Oklahoma), West Virginia Public Theatre, Surflight Theatre (On Your Toes, Sisters of Swing, Lady Be Good, Ragtime, Joseph, Will Rogers, White Christmas, Ebenezer), Gateway Playhouse, Plan B Productions (The Producers, Footloose), Theatre Under the Stars (Houston) (110 in the Shade, Wonderful Life, Disney's When You Wish), the Houston Symphony, the Houston Thanksgiving Day Parade and opening ceremonies of the 100th Anniversary Convention of Girl Scouts. Her work is often seen in New Jersey at Ocean Professional Theatre Company where she also serves as the Director of the Apprentice Program.

Michael A Ferrara (Musical Director) Originally from Palm City, Florida, Michael A. Ferrara is a versatile and eclectic musician, equally at home in such diverse roles as conducting symphonic repertoire and performing in musical theater and opera pit orchestras. Currently he is residing in New York City and pursuing his career in music as a conductor and music director. His recent credits include: Music Director: Hair (Columbia University), Pianist and Music Director: New York Symphony's performance of Carmina Burana at the Washington Square Park Music Festival, and Music Supervisor/Music Director: Gotham Radio Theater's production of Auntie Name at Lincoln Center.

The cast of HAIRSPRAY will feature: Nicole Powell as Tracy, Jim Gruessing as Edna, Rick Grossman as Wilbur, Kristen Daniels as Penny, Samantha Gordan as Amber Von Tussel, Alison Foote as Velma Von Tussel, Faith Nibbe as Little Inez, Dwan Hayes as Motormouth Maybelle, Jared Kaitz as Corny Collins, James Tanner Calicutt as Link Larkin, Jovan Watlington as Seaweed, Michelle Bendetti as Prudy Pingleton. The ensemble will feature: Nicole Morris, Sydni Session, Essence Taylor, Hayley Chaney, Jayden Goodman, Marlena Becker, Siena Yusi, Derius Lambert, Lawrence Turner, Daniel Berlin, David Sasik, Andrew Ryan and Zackary Blanchette.
Lisa Hale is the Laguna Playhouse season underwriter. Season sponsors are South Coast Plaza, Haskell & White, Surterre Properties, Bodhi Leaf Coffee Traders, Gelson's, and Nolet's Silver Dry Gin.

ABOUT THE SCHEDULE AND PRICING
HAIRSPRAY will begin previews on Wednesday, July 5; will open on Sunday, July 9 at 5:30pm and will run through Sunday, July 30, 2017 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

Performances will be Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30pm; Thursdays and Saturdays at 2pm & 7:30pm; Sundays at 1pm. There will no Thursday performances on Thursday, July 13 & 27 at 2pm. There will be additional Sunday performances on Sunday, July 16 & 30 at 1pm.
Tickets range from $45- $80 and can be purchased online at www.lagunaplayhouse.com or by calling (949) 497-ARTS (2787). Group discounts are available by calling 949-497-2787 ext. 229. Prices subject to change.

The box office is open Mondays - Saturdays: 12p.m. to 5 p.m. (open until showtime on performance days); Sundays: 11a.m. - 4p.m. For more information on all shows and programming visit www.lagunaplayhouse.com. For more information on all shows and programming visit www.lagunaplayhouse.com. Laguna Playhouse is located at 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.