HAIRSPRAY Comes To Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, Previews August 5

Chanhassen Dinner Theatres brings its audiences another new Main Stage show with contagiously delightful Broadway musical, HAIRSPRAY! Winner of eight Tony Awards (out of thirteen nominations) including Best Musical, HAIRSPRAY offers two weeks of preview performances from August 5 - 18, with the official Press Opening Night on Friday, August 19. Presented by Regis Salons, HAIRSPRAY is slated to play through January 2012.

The musical HAIRSPRAY with music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman, and book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, is based on the 1988 John Waters film by the same title. In 1962 Baltimore, pleasantly plump teenager Tracy Turnblad's dream is to dance on The Corny Collins Show, a local TV dance program based on the real-life Buddy Deane Show. When Tracy garners a role on the show, she becomes an overnight teen sensation, but she must use her newfound power and the help of a crazy cast of characters to dethrone the reigning Teen Queen, win the affections of heartthrob Link Larkin, and integrate a TV network, all without denting her ‘do!

While a sweet confection loaded with classic ‘60s teen fashions, outrageous hairstyles, dancing and music, HAIRSPRAY also addresses racial injustices prevalent in 1960 America with valuable lessons to reflect on. According to composer Marc Shaiman, "The audience embraces these moments, which enrich the happy ending to follow, and it is our proudest achievement of the entire experience of writing HAIRSPRAY."

There is no question that HAIRSPRAY has magnetic, universal appeal to audiences of all ages across the globe. The original Broadway production ran for more than six years with over 2,600 performances closing in 2009. HAIRSPRAY played in London's West End and included multiple international productions: Australia, Canada, Brazil, Finland,

Japan, China, Argentina, Germany, Israel, Mexico, Sweden, Korea, Italy, France, Denmark, Switzerland and Dubai. The musical has successfully been translated into numerous foreign languages. It has enjoyed several national tours and a sit-down production in Las Vegas (a ninety-minute version played in one act). Royal Caribbean International Cruises presents the show on their ship MS Oasis of the Seas in its 1,350 seat theater, playing 3-4 times every day. In 2007, a popular newly adapted musical film version was made featuring Nikki Blonsky, John Travolta, Zac Efron, Queen Latifah, Michelle Pfeiffer and a host of Hollywood stars.

HAIRSPRAY is loaded with two dozen catchy original tunes with a ‘60s flavor that's appealing and joyful. Song titles include; "Good Morning, Baltimore," "Mama I'm A Big Girl Now," "Big, Blonde and Beautiful," "I Can Hear The Bells," "It Takes Two" and "You Can't Stop The Beat."

Chanhassen Dinner Theatres is pleased to be one of the first regional theatres to produce HAIRSPRAY for its audiences.

Artistic Director and President of Chanhassen Dinner Theatres Michael Brindisi stated, "HAIRSPRAY is a good choice for us and our audiences. Our theatre is on the short, exclusive list to be offered the newer musicals as they become available. When we are presented with an exciting new opportunity, we need to grab onto it."

Beyond directing the musical and staging its many song and dance numbers, Brindisi is inspired by a deeper focus in the piece. "This production is so much about celebrating the communities in our lives and the importance of them. There are two kinds of communities - the good ones where difference and variety are welcomed -- and the bad ones, where it's not and some are excluded, blocked out. We need to get back to the good communities where everyone is welcomed and accepted. We'll be all the richer for it."
Brindisi collaborates with his creative team of artists. Tamara Kangas Erickson serves as choreographer and Andrew Cooke as musical director. Designers: Nayna Ramey for scenery; Rich Hamson for costumes; Sue Ellen Berger for lighting; Russ Haynes for sound and Susan Magnuson for hair and makeup. Production Stage Manager is Robin Macgregor.

HAIRSPRAY will be performed eight times weekly (through January 29, 2012) with evening performances Tuesdays through Sundays and matinees on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Dinner and show ticket prices are as follows: Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday evenings $68; Friday $79; Saturday evening $79; Wednesday matinee $59; Saturday matinee $63; and Sunday $69. Show-only tickets are available no sooner ten days prior to the performance. Student Rush tickets may be purchased one hour prior to the performance with valid student ID, and are based on availability. For tickets and information call the theatre box office at (952) 934-1525 or (800) 362-3515. For parties of 15 or more, contact Group Sales at 952-934-1547 or (800) 355-6273 or go online to www.ChanhassenDT.com.

 

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