Hairspray Rocks The Dock For Charleston Stage Season Opener!
For Immediate Release, August 2010www.charlestonstage.com
It's time to let your hair down and dance the night away as Charleston Stage "rocks the dock" with Hairspray, the Broadway Musical Phenomenon which will inaugurate Charleston Stage's 33rd Season and return to the beautifully restored Historic Dock Street Theatre. "We wanted something rousing for our season opener back at the Dock Street," says Charleston Stage Founder, Julian Wiles, "and what could be more rousing than the rockin' energy of Hairspray!" Audiences will be swept away to 1960's Baltimore in this international smash-hit musical, piled bouffant-high with loves, laughs - and sizzling sixties song sensations.
"We're pulling out all the stops," says Charleston Stage Associate Artistic Director Marybeth Clark, who is directing the season opener. "We have a multi-cultural cast of 35 singers and dancers, a live band and, over a dozen pop-art 60's sets, more than 150 costumes and god only knows how many over-the-top bouffant-high wigs!"
The lively band of nine is lead by Charleston Stage Music Director Amanda Wansa. "We have some incredible musicians lined up for this dynamite score," raves Ms. Wansa. "We can't wait to rock the Dock!"
This phenomenally fun musical, winner of eight 2003 Tony Awards including Best Musical, continues to delight audiences worldwide. The 2007 West End production of Hairspray was nominated for a record-breaking 11 Olivier Awards and nabbed four, including the top category Best New Musical, and also won Best New Musical in all of Britain's other top awards programs.
In Hairspray, it's 1962 - the '50s are out and change is in the air. Baltimore's Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, has only one passion-to dance. She wins a spot on the local TV dance program, The Corny Collins Show and, overnight, is transformed from outsider to irrepressible teen celebrity. But can a plus-size trendsetter in dance and fashion vanquish the program's reigning princess, win the heart of heartthrob Link Larkin, and integrate a television show without denting her 'do? Only in Hairspray! Welcome to the '60s! Hairspray is based on the New Line Cinema film written and directed by John Waters, who served as a creative consultant on the musical comedy. It features a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan. Hairspray features an original score by Academy Award-nominated Marc Shalman (who co-wrote the music and lyrics for the acclaimed animated musical, South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut) and lyrics by Marc Shalman and Scott Wittman.
Charleston Stage's original and fully professional cast not only features all five of this season's Resident Professional Acting Company but also, four former members of Charleston Stage's professional actors returning in guest roles.
This year's members of Charleston Stage's Resident Professional Acting Company appear as: Mary-E Godfrey as Tracy Turnblad, Mikey Nagy as Corny Collins, Stephanie Faatz as Penny, Lee Hollis Bussie as Gilbert and Ira Harris as Seaweed. Guest stars from past Charleston Stage Professional Acting Companies who are returning for this special season opener include Brian Bogstad as Edna Turnblad (yes in drag!), Drew Archer as Wilbur Turnblad and featuring Crystin Gilmore who is returning from New York to headline as Motormouth Maybelle. Playing Velma and also choreographing the rock around the clock dance numbers is Lindsey Lamb Archer.
Other leading players include Nicholas Piccola as Link and Allison Schnake as Amber.
Hairspray, presented by Charleston Stage, plays September 3-19, 2010 at the Historic Dock Street Theatre (135 Church Street, Downtown Charleston, SC). Book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, Based on the New Line Cinema film written and directed by John Waters, Music by Marc Shalman, Lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shalman, Directed by Marybeth Clark, Musical Direction by Amanda Wansa, Assistant Musical Direction by Mikey Nagy, Choreography by Lindsey Lamb Archer, Scenic Design by Julian Wiles and Stefanie Christensen, Lighting Design by Julian Wiles, Properties by Michael Christensen, Costumes by Barbara Young, Stage Management by Stefanie Christensen, and Technical Direction by Brian J. Porter. Sponsored by The Henry and Sylvia Yaschik Foundation. Tickets available online 24 hours a day at www.charlestonstage.com. Tickets by phone available Mon-Fri 12:00 Noon-5PM (Also open Sat 12:00 noon-5PM Show Weeks only) by calling (843) 577-7183.
